COVID-19 has had an impact on businesses and companies need to prepare for things to return to “normal.” Many businesses are going hybrid with a remote/in-office mix, which means you need to prepare yours with the right technology to do the same.
Providing a hybrid workplace is about bringing together the physical workspace and digital tools, and enabling staff to work with more flexibility. It’s also about boosting effective collaboration and communication remotely as well as in the office. Here are a few for creating a post-COVID-19 workplace and tips for returning to “business as usual.”
Optimize Your Tech Spending
There are ways creating a hybrid workplace can save you money, but you will still need to invest in technology. Cyber attacks are increasingly common and working from home can mean greater risks. Your staff may be using their own less secure devices and networks to access sensitive company data.
Invest in cybersecurity measures, training for staff, and update your software and hardware. For the best results, you can even completely outsource our IT to experts by working with a company providing reputable IT services in New York. If you downsize to a hybrid workplace you can cut spending in other areas, and maximize your tech budget instead.
Update Your Office Layout
In order to create a post-COVID-19 workplace you need to reconsider your office layout. If you have hybrid workers that will combine remote working with coming into the office, you could try using a flex desking system. This means you will need fewer desks and employees will book them for when they need them. You can implement a similar system for meeting rooms.
One disadvantage of this is that it can take employees longer to get organized. To resolve this, incorporate wayfinding into the workplace. Provide an interactive map to hybrid employees to help them find desks, people, technology, and other resources quickly.
Improve Productivity in Remote Workers
In order to improve productivity it’s essential to ensure your remote team is working in a healthy environment. This means providing ergonomic equipment such as chairs with back support and new tech, and monitoring employee well-being. It’s also worth investing in state-of-the-art communication tools that can be used by both remote and in-house staff. These will also help to increase collaboration and efficiency, while improving employee morale.
Outsource Certain Services for Cost Savings
In a hybrid workplace, you’ll become used to working with remote employees and you can even reduce your spending by outsourcing certain services. This will give you access to better technology and resources without the need to spend money on expensive overheads. If you outsource IT services, for example, they will provide advanced cybersecurity, data protection, and industry-specific technology solutions.