Get ahead of the competitors and embrace the new ways of working.

The world has already changed and might never go back to the same old ways we were used to. So now, the key to running a successful business is adapting. Fast. Of course, changes are happening continuously through the years. Still, the current events from the last two years tremendously sped up the processes. Now the digital transformation is a must, rather than a strong recommendation. 

Since everyone can work from anywhere, the market and options have grown to endless possibilities. That reflects both the employees who now have more competition for a position and the employers needing to change their workflows and mindset to match the new requirements. And this can happen only in a new, modern workplace. 

Genslers’ “The Hybrid Future of Work” report from 2020 shows that 52% of the employees in the US prefer to work in a hybrid environment. Another 19% want to work from home full time. On the other hand, research conducted by Gallup stated that individuals who prefer working in an office setting suffer from a 17% reduction in productivity when forced to work remotely.  So, the hybrid future seems more and more imminent and is here to stay. 

What does it mean to be “hybrid”?

A hybrid workplace must provide equal opportunities for every employee regardless of working remotely or in the physical office location. Supporting the workers and their way of work is paying off in more productive and loyal employees. Just by having the freedom to choose.  

How does it reflect the involved groups? 

For the employees: 

• Having the option to decide where they want to work – in the office, at home, remotely, or mixed – to feel most comfortable and satisfied 
• Feeling empowered and trusted to make the best decisions based on their personal working style 
• Needing new or better digital tools to ensure the quality of work regardless of the workplace 

For the business: 

• Satisfied employees who feel supported and safe 
• Cost reductions from maintaining facilities for all employees throughout the year 
• Increased productivity due to the new ways of working provided 
• Need for a digital transformation and plan for implementing new useful tools for their specific needs 
• Redefine the measures of performance from working hours to achieved milestones 

How would a “normal” workplace look like nowadays? 

The winning companies are shaping new solutions to transform the way they work and implement different innovative digital methods translating them back into their systems and processes with the help of the employees. 87% of the leaders around the world say that they expect it will allow more flexibility about where, when, and how people work, according to the research.

To create the “right” hybrid workplace, consider the three E – equity, engagement, ease. 

Usually, this model includes the onsite presence of a core group of workers, remote workers, and a third group that comes and goes in the office as they please. It may vary from company to company – some have an office schedule, live meetings only on specific occasions, team meetings on an appointed day, etc. For many employees, that creates the best work-life balance when they can shape their job around their needs. 

So, the most crucial thing for remotely working employees is to have the right tools and access to the internal systems. On the other hand, the office space must provide the same level of safety and flexibility to ensure successful collaboration between both in-office and remote working team members.  

In conclusion, the new “normal” requires equal opportunities for each employee, regardless of the location.  

Where to begin creating a Hybrid workplace? 

You must first acknowledge the time your employees spend on manual tasks that are wasting their working time, and which processes can be digitalized and improved. For example – finding and booking conference rooms, reporting issues with the equipment, change requests for chairs and broken appliances, scheduling reservations, etc. The list is long. And what is the result of it – poor experience at work and unsatisfied employees.  

According to Kevin Nanney, Senior Director of Product Management at ServiceNow – “Every company we’ve talked to is going from a set office space to a hoteling situation, so being able to reserve a desk on a mobile phone, assign workspaces, and consult an interactive map to book locations in proximity to your team is invaluable.” 

By delivering better work experience to all the involved groups with digital and automated processes at the palm of their hands, the company can make conscious decisions based on real-time information and reports to improve the workflow and manage and optimize expenses. 

What is next? 

With the current ongoing pandemic, returning back to the office is the next big decision. How and when to do it? The research Reimagine Work: Employee Survey (Dec 2020 – Jan 2021) by McKinsey & Company shows that workers want to be involved in the process and not be kept in the dark. The lack of information usually leads to mistrust from teammates, so clear and open communication is essential.  

A multi-channel, mobile-enabled facility management solution like ServiceNow Workplace Service Delivery can help you begin your journey and improve your employee, facility staff, and visitor experience. 

In one of our recent success stories at Do IT Wise, our client as a leader in the Automotive vertical with thousands of employees needed a special solution to match the company’s needs for returning to the offices. With the right approach, our in-depth industry knowledge, and tools from ServiceNow, our ITOM team managed to implement an innovative solution that is now being adopted in the company. The project emphasized on: 

• Creating a safe way for every employee to return the equipment they took home 
• Reorganizing the workspaces 
• Creating a visiting hours schedule to ensure a healthy environment  

To determine the best solution for your business, consider your employees’ feedback, analyze your processes deeply, and learn more about the best practices from professionals. 

Contact our specialists at Do IT Wise for more information about the different solutions provided by the leading software platforms, such as ServiceNow, and how you may benefit from implementing them to create your hybrid workplace. 

In conclusion

The leaders of the companies can see that as a rare opportunity to reshape the company’s culture and create something even better. Because environment shapes behavior. Companies that move forward and embrace the new ways of working are most likely to keep and attract talented and loyal employees. A survey has shown that 27% of the workers plan to change their job in 2021. The question is – Will your company be attracting or losing those people in the new hybrid workplace reality? 

One thing is sure – when we go back to the offices, things will be changed. 

Find more articles about Digital Transformation and the future of work in our blog.