Hybrid work environments are becoming more and more popular. As businesses look to the future of work, some of them need a more integrated option that’s a hybrid of regular on-site workers and fully remote staff. Depending on the business and your role within it, a hybrid work solution could be the best of both worlds.
They allow employees to work remotely and still be connected to their team. The advantages of this model can include more flexible work schedules, less travel time and expenses, and higher productivity due to fewer interruptions from coworkers. This is especially true of roles where there is a high degree of autonomy needed to get projects completed. Creating a successful hybrid work solution is a combination of best practices, technology, and great communication. Here are some keys to creating a successful hybrid work environment.
Create a hybrid work environment that works
You can’t just tell your employees to go home a few days a week and get stuff done. The future is hybrid work, but it’s important to understand how it can benefit your business and the best ways to do it. Hybrid work environments are more efficient and cost-effective. They help people be more flexible, engaged, and productive than in traditional office spaces.
Embrace technology solutions that empower users
The next step to creating a successful hybrid work environment is to embrace technology solutions that empower users. These can include cloud-based applications, which allow employees to access business tools from anywhere on any device. It can include using software that automates several steps of a process, like choosing a room scheduling platform for the days when everyone is in the office. Mobile apps are also handy and can allow employees to do their jobs more effectively.
Develop new mindsets around work and communication
To successfully move to a hybrid work model, you’ll need to change your mindsets around work and communication. If you’re used to just stopping by a cubicle to communicate with your staff, you’ll need to think through other ways to share the same information. It also means developing a new mindset around work.
Many business leaders still lean toward a very heavy-handed approach and can end up being micromanagers as a result. Not being able to see your team when they are working remotely can be challenging. It’s important to think about how you will behave in this environment without bugging your staff every 10 minutes and interrupting their work.
Watch for results and outcomes
It’s important to be outcomes and results focused when it comes to business. This goes for setting goals, standards, and expectations for each member of your staff. When you have measurable outcomes to track, you’ll be able to see when they are meeting KPIs and when they are not. You can use data in these cases to watch for opportunities for improvement.
Learn to be more agile
Agility is important for businesses that want to grow and thrive in a hybrid model. You can’t use old methods when you are taking a new approach. Learn to be more agile. Lean on your staff to help make decisions that impact them as well. When you can incorporate feedback in a healthy way, it helps you learn and grow. Plus, when it comes to managing technology, knowing what you need, why you need it, and the best practices for using it can help you stay nimble and agile as well.
Create clear documentation so staff understand the expectations
Documentation is important for business continuity. But when you are deploying a new process, it’s especially helpful. When you’re switching to a hybrid work solution, clear documentation helps everyone. Documentation helps staff understand what they need to do and how they should go about it. It also provides an opportunity to measure progress, which makes it easier for managers and employees alike when it comes time for review time.
The right documentation can also act as a training tool and be turned into a video or other type of media. When you want to clearly explain how your hybrid environment will work, how staff can book a desk when they are in the office, and how to connect with people working remotely, documentation is essential.