{"id":7594,"date":"2023-04-20T09:00:16","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T16:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/insidetrack\/blog\/?p=7594"},"modified":"2023-06-30T13:16:25","modified_gmt":"2023-06-30T20:16:25","slug":"microsofts-tips-for-staying-productive-in-an-evolving-hybrid-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/insidetrack\/blog\/microsofts-tips-for-staying-productive-in-an-evolving-hybrid-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft\u2019s tips for staying productive in an evolving hybrid world"},"content":{"rendered":"
As the leader of the Microsoft Digital Employee Experience team, it\u2019s my responsibility to ensure that Microsoft employees are the most productive and collaborative in the industry. We are stewards of the employee experience, and we obsess over every detail of the online and in-person meeting experience for our employees. From the physical spaces on campus, to the software that enables the experience, to the support model when employees need additional assistance. While reliable, easy-to-use technology is critical to a great meeting experience in this new hybrid world of work, so are the right behaviors. In fact, our research shows that creating an inclusive environment is as important as the hardware, software, and support experience in ensuring productive and effective hybrid meetings.<\/p>\n
Over the last two years, we\u2019ve all had to radically adjust how we meet and collaborate as most information workers transitioned to remote work. Almost overnight, in-person and hybrid meetings moved online. Even daily interactions with colleagues morphed into online meetings, resulting in a 58 percent increase in Microsoft Teams meetings usage at Microsoft. For better or worse, \u201cvirtual coffee chats\u201d became the new normal, and the water cooler moved online.<\/p>\n
Researchers at Microsoft and across the industry have worked hard to understand the impact of these changes and to determine how to improve meetings so they achieve their purpose through empowered participants. One of these large studies came to an interesting conclusion: the odds of a meeting being rated as effective are two times higher if attendees say the meeting was inclusive, and more than three times higher when attendees feel comfortable participating.<\/p>\n
In other words, inclusive meetings are the most effective meetings. Remarkably, as we\u2019ve adjusted to the new normal of remote work, meeting satisfaction at Microsoft increased by 31 points! The primary reason? Prior to the pandemic, remote participants were less likely to be active participants in hybrid meetings. Now that the playing field is leveled, participants report being more comfortable participating in online meetings. Across the company, we\u2019re learning to be more inclusive and meetings are becoming more participatory.<\/p>\n
So, how can you make your meetings more inclusive? Here are some practical tips that we\u2019ve learned running remote and hybrid meetings at Microsoft.<\/p>\n
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