We’re all still figuring out how to manage hybrid work

These are fast-changing times throughout the business world, and there’s perhaps nothing changing more than the ways corporate leaders approach workplace modernization. It’s no longer about the “workplace,” at least not in the same way it used to be – 2020 brought the rise of remote work, and as we settle into our “next normal” in 2021 and ‘22, we’re now trying to find the right balance between remote and office environments. We’ve truly entered the hybrid work era.

And if we’re being honest, we’re still struggling a little bit to figure out the optimal way to coordinate hybrid employees. What does “hybrid” really mean, anyway?

According to Inc. Magazine, Airbnb is one example of a tech company that’s trying to innovate in this area. CEO Brian Chesky realized that simply having people come into the office one day a week, or two, wasn’t doing much good. True flexibility, he discovered, comes from letting people work wherever is best for them – especially because the best people don’t always live in tech hubs like New York and San Francisco.

"Some of them are in New York and San Francisco, but they're really everywhere,” Chesky said. “And so as a CEO, I have to make a calculation. If I limit my talent pool to a radius near my office, does the increase in productivity of them being near my office overcome the lack of talent I can hire? In other words, if I can hire someone in Ohio, and they are twice as good, that means the person near me has to be twice as productive. Otherwise, I'm at a net loss. At the end of the day, I think talent wins."

This isn’t just a matter of intangible concepts like “culture” – the changes we’re talking about here have a clear impact on a business’ bottom line. When you hire the best people, and give them the right structure to be productive no matter when or where they work, that will lead directly to better results. Chesky noted that Airbnb made 150 significant changes to their product in just the last year, immediately after implementing a new hybrid work environment. They’re not alone. Organizations everywhere can reap the benefits of more flexible work.

But: To benefit from hybrid work, you first need to have the right technology for it. And that’s where Zones comes in. At Zones, we offer a Remote Worker Solution that’s designed to make life easier for remote and hybrid employees, their managers, and their IT teams. This complete, end-to-end solution will help people collaborate securely and work effectively. It includes everything from Asset Management and Lifecycle Management to Shipping & Logistics to Technical Support. Everything your teams need to be successful is there.

At Zones, this is a core component of what we do as a business. We’ve always been committed to driving Workplace Modernization success for our clients – and in 2022 and beyond, we understand that the “workplace” includes much more than just the workplace. We strive to help organizations everywhere enable true digital transformation, and that begins with giving them the technology to foster hybrid work.

If this sounds like a positive step for your business, connect with us today. We would be delighted to get you started on your journey.

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