Updated on September 19, 2022 by John Clarke
The idea of a hybrid workplace is one that has been around for quite some time. It wasn’t until the pandemic, though, that companies began seriously looking for solutions that will allow them to successfully accommodate hybrid work solutions.
Many companies scrambled to create solutions that work “for now” as the pandemic raged on, and remote work became the rule rather than the exception. Now that things are slowing down with COVID-19 and businesses across the country are reopening, many employees have no interest in returning to the way things were. In fact, SHRM reports that “80 percent of remote workers said they enjoy working from home, and 69 percent are just as or more productive at home than in the office.”
This means that companies who came up with temporary solutions during the pandemic now need to create workable long-term hybrid work solutions. Ones that work for a truly hybrid workplace. In order to do so, businesses must account for remote workers as well. The best solutions account for each of the following five Ps.
- Process
- Procedure
- People
- Prevention
- Phones
First, though, it’s a good idea to dive into what a hybrid workplace is. It’s not simply an office where some people work from home, or work from home on occasion. It is so much more than that.
What is a Hybrid Workspace?
You may think of the concept as something new and radical in the world of business. The truth is that this has been around for a long time. The pandemic just forced businesses to consider it more seriously than perhaps they were willing to in the past. What it is, is applying flexibility to the way you operate your business and how your business evolves to meet changing needs within the marketplace and among its employees.
For some employers, a fully virtual office space doesn’t work. They need some people onsite to handle day-to-day operations of the business. That doesn’t mean that they don’t have an entire team of people that can manage their responsibilities from home, on the road, or even halfway across the world on a remote beach somewhere. The key is to have the technology, or procedures, by which your team can be always on the same page – even when located half a world apart. Hybrid workplaces are all about flexibility.
Why are Hybrid Workplaces So Challenging to Maintain?
While the concept sounds simple, it takes a lot of technology to make a truly hybrid workplace possible. Fortunately, there are tons of tools available to help businesses adapt and overcome the challenges hybrid workspace solutions present. The sad truth is that most business owners simply do not understand that the technology to meet their needs already exists. It takes the right person to explain the various tools that are available and how they can be applied to your unique needs as a business entertaining the idea of adopting a hybrid workplace.
Even among companies that aren’t quite ready to fully embrace the hybrid workplace now are looking for solutions to help them make the transition more easily when the next pandemic strikes or another situation that makes remote work necessary if only temporarily, occurs. Ultimately, it is a practical solution for the world we live in.
Where Can Hybrid Working Occur?
With the power of a truly hybrid workplace, people can take mental health breaks from office politics and water cooler conversations while getting work done at the local Panera Bread location, at the beach, or in the comfort of their own homes.
Is Hybrid Working a Permanent Solution?
It can be a permanent answer, in a sense. However, since technology is constantly evolving, so are the solutions that make hybrid workplaces possible. What this means for you is that while the demand for hybrid workspaces (from employees) is going to continue to rise, you’ll need to stay up to date with the latest options available to make it work for your organization. Truthfully speaking, once you go hybrid, it will be difficult to transition back to the old ways of doing business.
Do You Need New Technology to Make Hybrid Workspaces Work for You?
For many businesses, especially those using the right phone services and technology today, you already have the technology required to make the transition. However, you may constantly find newer and better options to implement to make hybrid workspace operate more efficiently.
How Can the Right Phone Provider Help with the Transition?
Productive teamwork begins with productive communication. For this reason, phone services are integral to an effective and efficient hybrid work solution. Many businesses are surprised to discover that they already have access to a huge number of features that are essential for creating a hybrid work solution built into their existing phone systems. It’s simply a matter of understanding the tools available to you and how to use them for your evolving needs.
Even if you knew, once upon a time, about all the features included in your phone system, you may only think about the ones you use routinely. Over time, you’ll forget about the features and benefits you haven’t been using. That doesn’t mean they can’t be of use to you now, especially as you’re exploring options for new tools to help you accomplish your goal of creating a hybrid work solution that works for your people and your business.
When you work with Ohio.Net as your phone provider you’ll not only find a wide range of phone services built into your existing plan, but you will also find that we offer the training you need to make the most of your phone systems as you embrace a hybrid office space. Whether you’re looking to create a remote call-center atmosphere, conduct international board meetings without leaving home, or accommodate an increasingly diverse group that includes people who work from home, people who work different hours of the day, and people who work in office buildings spread across the country.
Far too many business owners think of phone services as only applying to what you can do with the phone on your office desk. The truth is that modern VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) involves a wide range of technology that is incredibly beneficial for building a hybrid work solution. Contact Ohio.net today to learn more about the services we offer that can help you create the highly productive hybrid workplace your business deserves.