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<\/p>\nAs we all situate and adapt to the \u201cnew normal\u201d post-pandemic, a majority of organizations are toying with combinations of remote and on-premise work models. \u00a0This hybrid combination will surely have some employees return back to work on-site, while others will work in a remote capacity, along with potential staggered work hours or other possibilities. \u00a0Many organizations, especially in the IT sector, are seriously considering even a permanent remote base for employees. \u00a0These models will ensure broader access to resources, lower maintenance, and office costs, and greater employee flexibility. \u00a0Challenges might include managing employee experiences and productivity output while ensuring overall organizational effectiveness.<\/p>\n
Halfway through this year, the corporate world has seen a significant rise in workforce addition to this new hybrid work environment. \u00a0The percentage of workers permanently working from home is expected to nearly double by the end of this year. \u00a0Recently measured productivity benchmarks and employee engagement surveys tell a story that this might be working well and potentially, remote working might be here to stay.\u00a0An earlier conducted Gartner CFO survey suggests that a large percentage of organizations might make remote work permanent, with the larger technology companies initiating this move.<\/p>\n
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How do organizations ensure that the advantages of this new model outweigh the disadvantages? \u00a0What must businesses do to increase success and productivity in the new work model?<\/p>\n
Cybersecurity is critical to success<\/strong><\/p>\n In the distributed environment, cybersecurity<\/a> will become an even greater concern in the immediate future. \u00a0Many leaders have realized that cybersecurity is more important now than before the pandemic.\u00a0\u00a0Concerns focus on how data is getting used and accessed as well as securing it effectively.<\/p>\n Strategic decisions with regards to cybersecurity investments will focus on protecting employees, data, digital assets, and equipment. \u00a0This will lead to fresh investments needed in IT infrastructure. \u00a0It will also lead to a new mindset on securing remote teams and the expanded perimeter for potential attacks.\u00a0\u00a0IT policies for employees working outside office premises will need to be drafted to include a zero-trust environment.<\/p>\n Performance Management<\/strong><\/p>\n Remote work affects performance output and management to a large extent. \u00a0Businesses will now look at new parameters to measure performance. \u00a0Organizations will focus on business outcomes and output rather than simply the number of man hour clocked.\u00a0Tools and applications will be needed to assist remote employees to improve performance as well for supervisors and managers to measure outcomes.<\/p>\n To increase efficiency amongst employees and teams, managers will require visibility over day-to-day activities and processes. \u00a0Remote management tools<\/a>, communication and collaboration software, as well as other tech-based services will need to be considered by organizations.<\/p>\n The frequency of performance reviews may need to be updated from their previous conventional formats.\u00a0This will assist managers in guiding employees to effectively navigate work responsibilities and perform as per expectations.<\/p>\n Focus on Innovation and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n The pandemic has created much uncertainty across industries. \u00a0Businesses have become significantly more risk-averse. \u00a0Amidst disruptive times, exploring something new is typically put on the backburner. \u00a0However, these are the exact times that innovation and investments in technology are critical for sharpening business processes, driving employee engagement, and raising the bar in customer service management.<\/p>\n Given the impact that a lot of organizations faced in terms of growth and output, there will be constraints on new investments.\u00a0Leaders can emphasize the need and provide opportunities for incremental innovation or process improvements.<\/p>\n Employee Management Services<\/strong><\/p>\n Service desks<\/a> have transformed the way they operate. \u00a0Firms are now utilizing employee service desks that are conducive to the remote work culture. \u00a0They have now incorporated machine learning and AI<\/a> into their daily activities, as well as integrating with online collaborative platforms. \u00a0This allows remote working staff to access the service desk simply by logging into the platform. \u00a0Such desks provide personalized solutions to the issues faced by employees. \u00a0Conversational AI and AI chatbots<\/a> aid employees in resolving employment issues. \u00a0They also help to manage their time well and ensure an optimum level of productivity.<\/p>\n HR teams also have access to training resources and knowledge repositories. \u00a0They can provide access to remote employees, enabling them to gain additional knowledge and skills while also having queries resolved through the service desk.<\/p>\n With the adoption of these platforms, HR teams can now create personalized email campaigns that can be sent to new employees within the organization to include a multitude of important company and individual information.<\/p>\n Now is the time that organizations must pay attention to the effect of the new work environment, norms, and culture. \u00a0Focus on the ties that bind your employee population together.\u00a0Direct priority to the core aspects of your individual leadership as well as that of your broader team of leaders and managers. Your opportunity is here to solve the new hybrid-virtual model that best suits your company.\u00a0Let it begin your organization\u2019s next phase for a new shared culture where your employees can realize stability, social cohesion, identity, and belonging, whether your employees are working remotely, on-premise, or in some combination of both.<\/em><\/p>\n Allied Digital, while traditionally a service provider now also focuses on smart city solutions, master integrator services, ITSM solutions, and cloud migration as a service offering.<\/em><\/p>\n The author Hubert Wong is Vice President \u2013 Service Operations at Allied Digital Services.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n <\/p> \n<\/ul><\/div>\n