During the HP Amplify Partner Conference last month, many partners asked, "How do we win in hybrid?" It's clear that organizations want their employees to thrive, but they aren't necessarily sure how to get there. Companies must prioritize collaboration tools and solutions across all parts of the hybrid experience – whether at home, on the go, and especially in the office – if they want to succeed in this rapidly changing environment.
Our recent research with global analyst firm IDC1 revealed that while 80% of workers prefer hybrid work, only 22% feel like they're thriving in it. For IT decision-makers, enhancing the employee experience requires prioritizing initiatives that promote team collaboration, deliver responsive IT support, along with analytics and AI that improve productivity and efficiency. The research also showed that 43% of survey respondents value tech upgrades for team collaboration, 37% prioritize responsive IT support, and 32% appreciate analytics and AI.
To enable a thriving hybrid workforce, organizations must prioritize collaboration tools and solutions across all parts of the work experience, especially in the office. But how can organizations be successful long-term in a future that is clearly very different from the past? Here are seven ways:
1. Conduct a technology assessment: Organizations can conduct a thorough assessment of employees' workstyles, technology needs, and preferences – identifying gaps in technology infrastructure and insights into the types of hardware, software, and peripherals that employees need. If in-office technology isn't providing as optimal of an experience as working from home, it must be addressed.
2. Offer flexible hardware options: Provide employees with hardware options that suit their workstyles and workspace, enabling them to work more comfortably and efficiently.
3. Invest in collaboration tools: To facilitate effective communication and teamwork, organizations can invest in tools such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management platforms. In-office tools should be modernized to leverage recent advancements in technology and enhance the user experience.
4. Offer training and support: Boost employees' confidence and productivity by providing training sessions, user guides, and help desk support to troubleshoot common tech issues.
5. Ensure secure remote access: To protect sensitive company information as more employees work from different locations, IT teams can implement security measures such as multi-factor authentication, virtual private networks (VPNs), and data encryption, to provide secure remote access to company resources.
6. Monitor and optimize network performance: IT teams can monitor network performance and identify any issues that may be impacting employee productivity. This can involve optimizing network settings, updating software and firmware, and troubleshooting network connectivity issues.
7. Request ongoing feedback: Finally, organizations should regularly ask for employee feedback on their experiences with their technology and work environments so changes can be made if necessary.
When employees are part of a hybrid work arrangement, their purpose for coming to the office is different from the traditional in-person model. Many employees are now accustomed to the convenience of working from home – no longer wanting to spend time commuting to sit at a desk they could work from remotely. And, as more remote participants join meetings, it's critical for companies to provide seamless collaboration experiences for both in-person and remote attendees.
To make the in-office experience more valuable, organizations must adapt and offer solutions that can't be replicated remotely, such as dedicated collaboration spaces and advanced technology tools like high-performance PCs and video conferencing technology. Organizations that don't incorporate modern technology into their hybrid strategies will not thrive.
We're experiencing the biggest change in how people work that we've seen in our lifetime. Hybrid and other digitally transformed models are here to stay, and organizations need new ways to maintain culture and drive productivity. Adopting solid strategies and learning from experience will help employees thrive and organizations excel.
If you need help getting started, HP offers solutions across all facets of hybrid that can help you on your future-ready journey.
