One of the fastest transformations in the business world has been the transition to the hybrid working model.
According to Accenture’s research:
- 83% of employees prefer the hybrid work model.
- 63% of rapidly growing companies have adopted the hybrid work model by focusing on productivity.
- 69% of companies downsizing or stagnant still care about where their employees work.
The transformation to hybrid models is not just about COVID-19. The rapid growth of companies that have permanently switched to this model proves that. We can say that the pandemic has accelerated this transformation for many companies. However, companies that experience the advantages of the hybrid working model yet allow their employees to work wherever they want.
What should you pay attention to when switching to the hybrid work model?
You’ll need an effective plan for this transformation to a hybrid work model to grow your business, employee productivity in mind. There are some primary steps you need to take for that.
Build a hybrid work culture
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of hybrid working for employers is to make employees feel the company culture in this new model. Do not announce your transition to hybrid work and expect your employees to adapt directly.
Instead, employers and team leaders need to be easily accessible, foster communication, and put this new culture into practice. Set the framework for this culture in advance to make the hybrid work model sustainable.
Give concrete answers to the question in your employees’ minds, such as:
- What do you expect from your employees in this process?
- How will you support them?
- When and how will you meet?
- Why are you making this transformation?
Bring your HR team to the fore
When your employees start hybrid work, consistent communication with them is crucial. Also, organize the business processes according to their needs. Your HR team can keep the dialogue active with your employees and take steps to prevent problems before they arise.
Organizing regular online meetings for employees from different locations at different times makes your job easier. But keep in mind that these meetings should be of personal or professional benefit. You’ll need the power of HR for this.
The HR team knows your employees best. They can organize online training and events that are interesting and necessary. Carrying out onboarding training for the new members of your team in the hybrid business model enables them to adapt quickly to the company and work more efficiently.
Read this article for more info: Hybrid Education Model: What is it, What are its Benefits?
Make a people-oriented work plan
When you move to a hybrid work model, consider the changing needs of employees rather than imposing one model that fits all. Turn the stability in the office into flexible working conditions. You need to plan this flexibility carefully not to slow down the workflow or interfere with the privacy of your employees.
Discuss with your employees how to determine:
- who will work in what hours,
- what hours will they be available,
- what time to meet.
Thus, you can boost their loyalty and motivation to the company.
Support employee adaptation
Your employees will be in different conditions on the days they work from home. Therefore, they will come to you with different expectations. For example, you may have employees who live with their caregivers and need technical support.
Strategically plan what you can do about these issues. Then, you can create different scenarios with the support of your HR team and act proactively.
Share tips to help your employees organize their work and personal hours. Continuously support their personal development so that they feel you value them. Thus, you can establish a strong bond between your company and your employees.
Invest in tech tools
Organizations that focus on digital transformation are growing faster. The most important reason for this is that digital tools greatly facilitate communication and business follow-up. Use tools where team members can work on a collaborative document, exchange ideas, and see the workflow practically.
Some examples of such tools can be as follows:
- Asana to plan the workflow,
- Zoom for online meetings,
- Vedubox for online education.
Different teams need diverse technologies. So instead of starting with the most popular hybrid work tools, take the time to research. Discover the tools that will make your teams’ work easier and increase their motivation.
Educate your employees about safety
The hybrid working model holds critical risks, one of them being cybercrime. Your teams work from different locations and circulate diverse media. Every media in this process becomes vulnerable to cyberattacks. Using cloud-based systems correctly and the right technologies protects your company against these attacks.
That’s why you can organize employee training on cybersecurity. In this training, you can discuss:
- how to make home internet more secure,
- things to pay attention to when sharing documents,
- ways to ensure security in online meetings.
As a result,
The hybrid work model is rapidly spreading worldwide, and companies need to get ready for this transformation. It brings positive results, but you need to take the proper steps to increase efficiency.
To summarize, companies need to:
- strengthen employee loyalty by creating a hybrid work culture,
- receive continuous support from the HR team in the transformation process,
- reorganize the ways of doing business with a people-oriented approach,
- accompany their employees throughout the entire process,
- facilitate business processes with technological tools,
- inform their team about security.
Contact us to learn how Vedubox can support you through the transition to the hybrid work model.
