3 strategies for driving success in a hybrid work environment

For any corporate IT leader, having a clear strategy for workplace modernization has always been a core part of the job. But over the last three years, as a global pandemic has upended the ways people work, all of that has been called into question. Why modernize the workplace when people aren’t even showing up to it anymore?

What IT people have gradually come to realize, though, is that now is no time for giving up altogether. Instead, it’s time to take a closer look at workplace technology and find creative ways to rethink one's approach. Rather than souping up the physical workplace the way they once did, leaders instead have to think about how they can empower workers to thrive in a hybrid environment.

Here are the facts, according to a recent Forbes report: Right now, over 70% of workers say they want flexible remote work options to continue, even now as life begins to get back to normal in the wake of COVID-19. At the same time, more than 65% of people say they crave more in-person time with their teammates. These are both sizable majorities – which means the only way to keep people happy is to create a hybrid environment where remote and in-person work are both viable options.

Tanya Dalton, author of “The Joy of Missing Out,” told Forbes that this brings inherent challenges.

"Most people are finding the hybrid model to be twice as stressful because it continues to blur the lines between work and home," Dalton said. "We can end up doing more and working more hours for the company than we previously did when we went into the office every day."

With this in mind, it’s imperative that your organization find a balance that works. How can you make work more flexible, more productive, and also more palatable for those who value their work/life balance?

Let’s explore three strategies that can help.

Establish a schedule that works

Even if people aren’t showing up to an office from 9 to 5 every day, they still need to carve out regular times to be at their desks each day working productively – and in the bigger picture, they need to complete long-term projects in a timely fashion. It’s important for teams, technology-wise and otherwise, to have an established way of working that meets everyone’s needs.

Make teamwork a priority

Your employees may not be seeing each other in person daily, but team-building is still important. A strong team dynamic enables organizations to brainstorm ideas, plan projects, execute those plans, and ultimately get things done. Whether people are at home or in the office, they’ve got to work together effectively.

Enable communication and collaboration

So you can’t communicate with your co-worker simply by dropping by their desk down the hall on your coffee break. No worries! It’s still possible to enable quick and easy communication among teammates – all you need to do is implement the right technology.

For this and many other aspects of hybrid work, Microsoft and Zones are here to help. We can get your teams set up with Surface devices or other highly versatile workplace technology – and we can even equip them with high-performing productivity tools and apps like Microsoft Teams that will help them work together better than ever.

These are challenging times in business, as organizations everywhere pivot to an entirely new approach. But with Microsoft and Zones in your corner, it all gets a little easier. Connect with us today and find out for yourself.

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