How to Build a Successful Hybrid Workforce in 2022
In the past 2021, we have witnessed many employees move from fixed offices to hybrid workplaces. Although hybrid work is gradually becoming the mainstream office model, many problems still exist. In 2022, we need to consider more about how to build a successful hybrid workforce and make hybrid work more efficient.
At present, there are three main problems encountered by hybrid workforce:
1.Communication between employees is not smooth enough
Many people mistakenly believe that teamwork works best when everyone works in the same place. However, what really affects the efficiency of collaboration is whether the communication is effective. The same goes for hybrid work. Efficient communication between offline employees and remote employees and between teams and teams is of vital importance. If there are "barriers" in these conversations, the efficiency of hybrid work will naturally not be high.
2.Inequality between current employees and remote employees
If we want to improve the way the hybrid workforce collaborates, we need to eliminate the negative mentality that distinguishes us from them. This is a psychological phenomenon that often occurs in the hybrid workforce. This mentality is formed among employees who work in different ways. Remote employees will feel "excluded" and left out when participating in meetings, because offline employees are more likely to be seen and heard. On the other hand, on-the-job employees will also be "envious" of the flexibility and freedom of remote employees. If the idea of inequality cannot be dealt with effectively, it will have a serious adverse effect on the company.
3.Lack of job flexibility
Although many companies have adopted the hybrid work model, they still require employees to use company equipment as much as possible. This will make it difficult for employees to handle work when they cannot go to the company to use office devices, which will affect work efficiency and progress.
How to build a successful hybrid workforce
1.Build effective communication methods
In hybrid work, clear and effective communication is very important, especially when conveying crucial information. In order to establish a video conference that can communicate smoothly, we need to choose the appropriate video conference software (Zoom or Microsoft Teams) and video conference devices (Nexvoo, Logitech, or Poly). One way to avoid unequal contributions among employees in video conferencing is to have the entire hybrid team participate in the online meeting, and when it comes to tasks and projects, make sure that everyone is on the same page.
2.Promote equality in the workplace
To establish a healthy working environment, it is not enough to adopt hybrid workplaces. Equality between teams must be guaranteed. This is not limited to ensuring an equitable meeting experience, but also ensuring that equal workplaces and work policies do not benefit a certain group more or less. The company needs to introduce a related hybrid work policy and let employees know clearly that although they work in different workplaces, they are all equal, unbiased, and have a fair opportunity to deal with projects and express their opinions.
3.Enforce a BYOD policy
The BYOD policy allows employees to use their own equipment for office work, which is conducive to their ability to handle work more conveniently and quickly when changing work locations. Using easy-to-connect laptops, people can sit down and work quickly and efficiently in any workspace connected to the office. Employees use personal devices to connect to meetings. Sufficient power, familiar equipment, and software solutions can help employees collaborate better and faster.
4.Encourage communication between teams
Encourage and strengthen communication between hybrid teams, which can effectively improve the collaboration of the hybrid workforce. For example, you could hold a company-wide meeting or a meeting with multiple teams. During the meeting, set aside time for small talk so that colleagues have the opportunity to communicate freely with other colleagues.
To build a successful hybrid workforce, the company must not only provide the right hybrid workplace but also set reasonable hybrid work policies and guidelines so that everyone in the hybrid workforce can collaborate efficiently and seamlessly.
At present, there are three main problems encountered by hybrid workforce:
1.Communication between employees is not smooth enough
Many people mistakenly believe that teamwork works best when everyone works in the same place. However, what really affects the efficiency of collaboration is whether the communication is effective. The same goes for hybrid work. Efficient communication between offline employees and remote employees and between teams and teams is of vital importance. If there are "barriers" in these conversations, the efficiency of hybrid work will naturally not be high.
2.Inequality between current employees and remote employees
If we want to improve the way the hybrid workforce collaborates, we need to eliminate the negative mentality that distinguishes us from them. This is a psychological phenomenon that often occurs in the hybrid workforce. This mentality is formed among employees who work in different ways. Remote employees will feel "excluded" and left out when participating in meetings, because offline employees are more likely to be seen and heard. On the other hand, on-the-job employees will also be "envious" of the flexibility and freedom of remote employees. If the idea of inequality cannot be dealt with effectively, it will have a serious adverse effect on the company.
3.Lack of job flexibility
Although many companies have adopted the hybrid work model, they still require employees to use company equipment as much as possible. This will make it difficult for employees to handle work when they cannot go to the company to use office devices, which will affect work efficiency and progress.
How to build a successful hybrid workforce
1.Build effective communication methods
In hybrid work, clear and effective communication is very important, especially when conveying crucial information. In order to establish a video conference that can communicate smoothly, we need to choose the appropriate video conference software (Zoom or Microsoft Teams) and video conference devices (Nexvoo, Logitech, or Poly). One way to avoid unequal contributions among employees in video conferencing is to have the entire hybrid team participate in the online meeting, and when it comes to tasks and projects, make sure that everyone is on the same page.
2.Promote equality in the workplace
To establish a healthy working environment, it is not enough to adopt hybrid workplaces. Equality between teams must be guaranteed. This is not limited to ensuring an equitable meeting experience, but also ensuring that equal workplaces and work policies do not benefit a certain group more or less. The company needs to introduce a related hybrid work policy and let employees know clearly that although they work in different workplaces, they are all equal, unbiased, and have a fair opportunity to deal with projects and express their opinions.
3.Enforce a BYOD policy
The BYOD policy allows employees to use their own equipment for office work, which is conducive to their ability to handle work more conveniently and quickly when changing work locations. Using easy-to-connect laptops, people can sit down and work quickly and efficiently in any workspace connected to the office. Employees use personal devices to connect to meetings. Sufficient power, familiar equipment, and software solutions can help employees collaborate better and faster.
4.Encourage communication between teams
Encourage and strengthen communication between hybrid teams, which can effectively improve the collaboration of the hybrid workforce. For example, you could hold a company-wide meeting or a meeting with multiple teams. During the meeting, set aside time for small talk so that colleagues have the opportunity to communicate freely with other colleagues.
To build a successful hybrid workforce, the company must not only provide the right hybrid workplace but also set reasonable hybrid work policies and guidelines so that everyone in the hybrid workforce can collaborate efficiently and seamlessly.