CEO Guide to remote working: Hybrid work culture

1. Introduction to Remote Working

2. Preparing Your Organization for Remote Work

3. Managing Remote Teams Successfully

4.Adjusting Organizational Structure

5. Prioritizing Employee Wellbeing

Introduction

By the beginning of 2022, the pandemic had largely subsided. Although Covid-19 still exists in some capacity, its effects on our day-to-day activities are nearly a distant memory now. As soon as contagion risks decreased, businesses that previously doubted their employees' capability to work remotely quickly reverted back to their original views and expectations.

In a poll by the ADP, “64% of workers would consider quitting if asked to return to the office full-time.” This figure is indicating that a great number of employees are not able to find advantages in working within the office when their task can be done just as well from another location. To put this into perspective and compare two companies on different sides of remote work spectrum - Apple encouraging people's return to offices and Airbnb discouraging it - let us look at them both.

Case Studies: Apple And Airbnb

Even amid the worldwide spread of Covid-19 and Apple's soaring success, CEO Tim Cook expressed that the organization would permit flexible work arrangements going forward. Nevertheless, he also highlighted how important it still is for teams to collaborate in person.

By the summer of 2021, there was a dramatic shift in Mr. Cook's opinion - he encouraged employees to come into work for three days each week, with potential flexibility on the other two. Alas, his proposition provoked dissent from staff who felt uneasy about returning to their office building and shared these reservations through an open letter that sparked fiery backlash against management.

On the other hand, Airbnb’s CEO Brian Chesky unveiled the post-Covid work strategy for the firm in a company-wide email. He stated that the employee's wages would remain unchanged no matter where they decided to work from: be it home or office or even relocating elsewhere in the country. His statement reads: “If we limited our talent pool to a commuting radius around our offices, we would be at a significant disadvantage. The best people live everywhere, not concentrated in one area. He also mentioned that his talent will have the flexibility to travel and work around the world starting in September for up to 90 days per year.

Preparing Your Organization for Remote Work

Investing in Tools and Technology

Remote working has become an integral part of businesses today, however without the correct collaboration tools in place it is difficult for employees to keep up efficiency. HP Teradici's survey report revealed three main issues that hinder remote productivity: latency and pixelation (59%), complex implementation procedures (32%) and challenges with staff adoption of remoting technology(25%). Thus, investing in reliable communication software like Microsoft Teams can be paramount for organizations wishing to enhance the performance from their teleworking personnel.

At Seek Square, we partner with world-class tools that can be customised for your team objective. Let our expert work with you on building the most suitable stack for hybrid workplace in 2023.

Creating a Clear Communication Strategy

Creating and maintaining a clear communication strategy is essential for remote working success. Establishing guidelines for how and when to communicate, as well as identifying the primary channels for communication, help ensure that all employees are on the same page and help avoid any misunderstandings or confusion. By leveraging tools such as project management software and virtual meetings, managers can ensure their team members have access to up-to-date information and a consistent workflow. Additionally, team leaders should emphasize the importance of active listening skills and prompt responses in order to foster an effective communication culture among their teams.

Leverage on VR technology to train and engage remote team. Consult with our VR experts on how we can build immersive environments t help your team thrive on collaborate and training.  

Managing Remote Teams Successfully

Managing remote teams effectively requires setting clear goals and expectations, and encouraging autonomy whenever possible. When providing team members with tasks and job assignments, managers should be specific in outlining timelines and parameters so that teams can stay on track. Additionally, offering as much flexibility as possible helps individuals feel comfortable working independently. This gives them the opportunity to practice problem-solving skills, develop trust between team members, and create a sense of ownership over their own work. Managers should provide support when employees need it while also allowing them to take ownership and become self-sufficient. This helps to foster an effective communication culture within remote teams while keeping everyone organized and productive.

Some of the most popular toools for remote team work management include : 1) Slack for communications and collaboration; 2) Asana for task management; 3) Zoom for video conferencing and meetings; 4) Google Suite for document sharing and editing; and 5)Confluence for knowledge sharing and knowledge bases 6) Jira for software development project management; 7) Miro for online whiteboard collaboration. These tools are designed to help teams stay connected, organized, and productive, no matter where they are located. They also allow teams to access important documents from anywhere with an internet connection, which is essential in the modern global workplace.

Organizations should also strive to create a sense of connection amongst the team despite the physical separation between them by organizing virtual events such as “coffee catch-ups” or virtual happy hours where staff can socialize and build relationships together. Employers may even choose to provide financial incentives for good performance or conduct surveys asking how they can improve the remote working experience for their employees in order to maintain high levels of engagement within the company culture overall.

Finally, it is essential that managers actively involve themselves and invest time into understanding employee’s needs beyond just work matters so as to foster closer bonds amongst the team – this could include seeking input from individuals via 1-on-1 conversations or short weekly check-ins in order to understand any issues they may be facing while working remotely.

Seek square partner with top digital tools and deliver customised solution to our clients. We believe that digital tools can help teams become more autonomous by providing an easy-to-use platform for communication, collaboration and task management.  real-time data and analytics, team members can make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. Your team will be able to work independently with greater speed, efficiency, and accuracy.

Adjusting Organizational Structure

many organizations will likely adjust their organizational structure in order to accommodate the hybrid workplace. According to a 2021 survey by Deloitte, 78% of organizations are making changes to their operating models in order to better support remote working. This includes adapting processes and structures for decision-making, training, communication, and collaboration. Another survey found that 75% of those surveyed believe their organization’s adoption of new technology is helping them align measurement systems with a hybrid working model. Additionally, nearly 60% of employers report they have established an agile operating model that allows teams to be more flexible and responsive while not compromising on effectiveness or efficiency. By adopting innovative strategies and technology, businesses can better equip themselves to handle the needs of changing workforce dynamics and employee lifestyles in the years ahead.

Employee Wellbeing as a priority

In the last few years, employers have begun to focus more on employee wellbeing and its importance in retaining talent and driving productivity. With an ever-increasing workload, employees are often faced with high stress levels and diminished mental health. In a survey conducted by Deloitte in 2021, 66% of respondents said that organizations should be proactively offering support for employees to help with their mental health. Furthermore, it was found that 67% of those surveyed believe that employers should prioritize employee wellbeing initiatives such as providing access to healthcare benefits, flexible working arrangements, and mental health support programs.

In order to effectively prioritize employee wellbeing, organizations should start by creating a culture of open communication where employees feel comfortable expressing their needs and emotions without fear or judgement. This could include introducing regular check-ins between managers and team members or implementing anonymous surveys to gain insights into how employees are feeling.

Organizations should also take steps to ensure that their workplace provides adequate physical and ergonomic comfort through flexible seating options, adjustable monitors, and heated desks. Encourage regular physical activity such as walking meetings outside or remote yoga classes for staff members who are working from home.

Seek square offer online consultatin infrastructure integrated with Google meet and Zoom as well as in the Metaverse. You can offer counselling to help your team maintain healthy mental state and improve their skills.  From career counselling services to mental health advice and physical wellness. Additionally, organizations can implement reward systems for meeting set goals in order to keep staff motivated while at work.

Let our digital transformation expert help create a thriving hybrid work place for you. From digital tools to team training and IoT office design. Consult free today.

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