{"id":48332,"date":"2021-05-12T10:41:55","date_gmt":"2021-05-12T09:41:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/?p=48332"},"modified":"2021-05-12T10:41:55","modified_gmt":"2021-05-12T09:41:55","slug":"hybrid-working-framework","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/cross-industry\/2021\/05\/12\/hybrid-working-framework\/","title":{"rendered":"3 steps to build a successful hybrid working framework"},"content":{"rendered":"
The way we work has been turned on its head and will never be the same again. Last year, many of us quickly shifted to remote working. We\u2019ve all had our own lessons and reflections, however perhaps the biggest is that remote work actually works. Leaders and organisations who were uneasy with the idea have come to appreciate business continuity in a very turbulent time. As we look ahead, instead of an en masse return to the office, we can expect the next great disrupter. Hybrid working. At Microsoft, we believe that combining the best of the digital workplace and the physical workplace is the future. The hybrid workplace is one which empowers people with the flexibility and autonomy of remote work, while enabling crucial human connection with colleagues and customers in the physical workplace.<\/p>\n
To truly take charge in this intrepid new workplace, leaders need to take a step back, reflect on the lessons learnt and design for the future.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s explore a framework and ideas for hybrid working.<\/p>\n
To start, an effective hybrid workplace takes effort. You need a clear strategy \u2013 one that adapts to individual and organisational needs found both inside and outside the office. These decisions will impact everything from your culture, how you attract and retain talent, how you respond to change and how you innovate. Organisations will need to make sure strategy underpins experimentation. Don\u2019t be afraid to roll out new initiatives or encourage creative ideas within your organisation<\/strong>. Use data and your employee\u2019s own engagement to gauge success. Learn and correct as you go.<\/p>\n To build successful hybrid working, organisations need to think about three things: People, process and place. Underpinning these are empathetic and motivated leaders, and secure, inclusive technology powered by the cloud.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Your people are the heart of your business. And their wellbeing is critical. Over 70 percent of employees want flexible remote working to continue, while over 65 percent crave more in-person time with their teams<\/a>. Hybrid working requires leaders to ensure employees have the flexibility to work when and where they want.<\/p>\n A successful hybrid organisation embeds empathetic leadership and prioritises individual wellbeing to help people focus and be their best<\/strong>. Almost half of the global workforce is likely to consider leaving their current employer this year. This means to stay competitive you need to take a people-first approach to your hybrid working strategy. At Microsoft, we\u2019ve taken this approach, building wellbeing into our daily priorities, including implementing Wellbeing Days \u2013 additional paid time off for employees to focus on themselves.<\/p>\n The NHS<\/a> took this approach when building its partnership with Microsoft. GPs, consultants, nurses, therapists, paramedics and support staff now have the digital tools to help them collaborate more effectively and access the information they need, when they need it.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cAdopting the most up to date digital tools and operating systems are crucial for a modern day NHS \u2013 allowing staff to work as efficiently as possible which will deliver even better care for patients.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Matt Hancock, Secretary of State<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n A major benefit to hybrid work<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0is\u00a0<\/span>the growth you\u2019ll see\u00a0<\/span>in<\/span>\u00a0your\u00a0<\/span>talent pool<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Because\u00a0<\/span>job roles\u00a0<\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>no long<\/span>er<\/span>\u00a0required to be\u00a0<\/span>near<\/span>\u00a0the office, y<\/span>ou\u2019ll attract more diverse talent<\/span>. And with\u00a0<\/span>secure\u00a0<\/span>digital\u00a0<\/span>tools that improve accessibility, productivity and\u00a0<\/span>anywhere\u00a0<\/span>collaboration you will\u00a0<\/span>driv<\/span>e a<\/span>\u00a0more inclusive\u00a0<\/span>workplace<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And speaking of skills, underpinning the hybrid workplace is\u00a0<\/span>technology.\u00a0<\/span>Cloud-enabled devices and intelligent apps that support operations, collaboration, and productivity all require digital\u00a0<\/span>knowledge.\u00a0<\/span>Our research<\/span><\/a>\u00a0found that<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>63 percent of UK e<\/span>mployees said they don\u2019t have the digital skills needed to fulfil <\/span>these roles<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0You can help start your employee\u2019s learning paths on\u00a0<\/span>Microsoft\u00a0<\/span>Learn<\/span><\/a>, and take advantage of\u00a0<\/span>on-demand training and events<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n B<\/span>uilding your employee\u2019s skills is\u00a0<\/span>essential<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>o keep your organisation competitive and innovative.\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>o help your employees learn, reinvent and grow. And<\/span>\u00a0ultimately, to help our nation\u2019s economy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>This\u00a0<\/span>isn\u2019t a one off.\u00a0<\/span>You need to implement an always<\/span><\/b>–<\/span><\/b>on culture of lea<\/span><\/b>rning.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>This will help\u00a0<\/span>support<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>employees and drive innovation.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to\u00a0<\/span>Accenture<\/span><\/a>,<\/span>\u00a0organisations are focussing on\u00a0<\/span>digital transformation to the sum of $1.2 trillion globally, but are neglecting\u00a0<\/span>culture change.\u00a0<\/span>While technology can\u00a0<\/span><\/b>empower\u00a0<\/span><\/b>the\u00a0<\/span><\/b>hybrid\u00a0<\/span><\/b>working<\/span><\/b>\u00a0culture<\/span><\/b>, it cannot create it.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0It needs to be a<\/span>\u00a0whole<\/span>\u00a0organisational shift.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Leaders need to come together\u00a0<\/span>to unlock the data, expertise, and knowledge of the organisation.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Equip employees with both digital skills and secure low\/no code enterprise app technology to give them the autonomy to solve challenges and reimagine traditional processes. When you automate processes and workflows, you can innovate manual work, reduce errors and discover new insights to improve services.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve partnered with\u00a0<\/span>Refinitiv<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to help\u00a0<\/span>financial firms connect, collaborate and unlock the power of their data<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0By doing this,\u00a0<\/span>organisations can make critical business decisions faster and gain new insights\u00a0<\/span>into their markets and customers, helping critical business decisions.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span><\/i>When you add tools within that collaboration platform to help people surface information quickly, you create a seamless experience that brings the best of technology and data together with the human expertise needed to move markets forward.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ben Shepherd, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Refinitiv<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Make sure you provide policies and technology that support synchronous collaboration\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 meetings, voice and video calls \u2013 as well as asynchronous collaboration \u2013 where team members can dip in and out of projects<\/span>\u00a0and work\u00a0<\/span>when they have the time.\u00a0<\/span>Lean on your collaboration platform to build variety and encourage connectivity anywhere.\u00a0<\/span>For example, encourage non-work related check-ins,\u00a0<\/span>voice-only walking calls to prevent screen fatigue, or even buddy up colleagues from different teams for informal chats.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Leaders will need to embed a process of continuous testing,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>observing,<\/span><\/b>\u00a0and adjusting to\u00a0<\/span><\/b>processes to ensure they grow with your organisation and adapt to your\u00a0<\/span><\/b>employee\u2019s<\/span><\/b>\u00a0needs.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Now we\u2019re planning a hybrid workforce, office space is no longer limited to the office.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Leaders must balance virtual and physical workplace to ensure equality and inclusion for everyone.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0To do this effectively, we need to restructure the physical workspace and invest in digital tools.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Humans are social creatures. Everyone \u2013 from those working\u00a0<\/span>at<\/span>\u00a0home, in the office or on the frontline \u2013 needs to be able to have a voice and feel included in your culture. Cloud-enable AV solutions such as\u00a0<\/span>Teams Rooms<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and interactive screens such as the\u00a0<\/span>Surface Hub\u00a0<\/span>2S<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>placed in meeting and social spaces can enhance collaboration and inclusivity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, it\u2019s equally important that offices don\u2019t become event venues. Your space must reflect the changing nature of the hybrid workplace, with the flexibility to adjust the physical environment for different scenarios, for example, collaboration spaces and\u00a0<\/span>focus areas<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n1. People<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Building digital skills<\/h3>\n
2. Process<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
3. Place<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n