The future of work is hybrid. The pandemic has prompted employees worldwide to re-evaluate their work life balance. With the ability to easily access video collaboration tools to stay connected to the office, many are demanding a more flexible schedule. A recent survey by Gartner of more than 3,000 employees around the globe found the pandemic has made them reassess the role that work should have in their lives.
In this technology driven era, the role of Chief Information Officer (CIO) is more important than ever before. The CIO is not only responsible for putting parameters in place for the hybrid/remote workforce, but he or she also must help employees and the organization adjust to a workflow that is effective and meets the company’s goals. But before the CIO begins the process, there are 3 questions to consider:
LOCATION:
Where will workers do their job, and how can we reimagine the use of office space to ensure teams stay motivated and focused on work? The old idea of a workplace has in effect become a series of workspaces. Different teams of employees rotate in an out of the office or home. Businesses with a keen eye to the future are designing more open and interactive workplaces and spaces suited for employee engagement and collaboration. Harlan Davis, Chief Product Officer at Jugo shares:
“There clearly isn’t a one size fits all approach, and companies will be combining hybrid, blended and fully remote workforces. Because of this, the most important thing is to ensure that all spaces, regardless of location, are set up to enable employees to be at their best. To keep them connected, creative and productive it’s crucial to have the right cadences to keep them connected with their teams, colleagues and managers. Independence can be a powerful ingredient, but it needs to be part of a mix of regular collaboration, sharing and support.”
TECHNOLOGY, TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS THAT SUPPORT A HYBRID WORKFORCE
In addition to location, CIO’s also need to ask, what technology, techniques and tools can be instituted to support a hybrid workforce? The pandemic has taken a toll on just about everyone. More than ever, people are looking for ways to reduce stress and prioritize their wellbeing. In fact, a recent study by Ergotron found 56% of employees report an improvement to their mental health due to hybrid/remote work. Many organizations are doing their part to help, instituting meeting free days or limiting the time of meetings. More and more CIO’s are also leveraging AI and ML powered solutions to reimagine their organization’s digital strategy and enhance employee experience.
ONLINE MEETING EXPERIENCE EQUITABILITY
A part of that digital strategy includes asking the question: How do you make the virtual meeting experience more dynamic and equitable in a hybrid work environment? CIO’s need to make the online meeting process as seamless as possible whether employees are working from home or in the office and ensuring that the meetings are equitable and inclusive. Harlan Davis says, “the technologies are very one dimensional, or two dimensional at the most Of course new multi-way, human like virtual software immediately makes a difference, but it’s then still about using it in the most powerful way to achieve equitability.”
It’s a new way of thinking for CIO’s in the world of hybrid/remote work.
To learn more about how Jugo’s virtual event offering can help you to address the shifting virtual world, check out some more of our insights below.
