When it comes to hybrid working, there’s no turning back.  And yet Poly research shows that less than 50% of organizations are fully prepared with a hybrid working strategy.

Embracing this new model and setting up your business to operate in a new standard over the long term is no small feat. It requires a fundamental reshaping of time and space when it comes to how and where we work. There are many things to consider, which is one reason so many companies are still in the planning phase.

But as large as the challenges seem, so are the benefits to be gained. The ability of businesses to attract and retain talent in a tight labor market is only the beginning. Getting it right can also increase business agility and resiliency and provide an advantage in volatile markets.

CREATE THE RIGHT MOMENTUM

How do you move forward without falling back into the paradigms of the past? So many of the headlines around hybrid are focused on whether people are working in the office or at home, and how often they work in each place. But that’s just one of several elements to consider in a process that’s completely remaking the future of your employees and your business.

It’s also essential to consider:

Where the work occurs. Is your office the traditional office or is it an ecosystem that also encompasses a variety of casual working locations where employees can gather? Also, it’s important to acknowledge that remote isn’t just a home office. For employees on the go, it may not be a static location at all. So, wherever your employees are working, and whether they’re in an office location four days a week or one day a month, your plan needs to enable them to be productive now and as your hybrid model evolves.

How hybrid work affects your employees. Hybrid work has blurred work and life and eroded the boundaries of “traditional” office hours. This creates a dichotomy; while 83% of workers told Accenture that hybrid work would be optimal, almost half of the respondents in Poly’s research reported an unhealthy culture of overworking at their company.  The nature of employee connection and collaboration has also changed. With no way to bump into each other in the hall, what’s happened to the informal conversations that help things get done?  When people work from everywhere, are formal meetings the only way to collaborate? Creating a healthy working environment and enabling all styles of communication are critical to a successful plan.

The impact of hybrid work on your organization. When everyone was in the same location, whether it was a pre-pandemic office or all working remotely, everyone had the same presence. But that changes when some people are in the office and others aren’t. Traditional offices were set up to favor those in the office, but that must change for hybrid success. Another traditional arrangement that needs to be updated is supporting employees with siloed service departments. In a hybrid world, this creates fragmentation when a clear, unified approach is needed. A truly workable hybrid plan must ensure that everyone has the same impact and presence, wherever they are working and streamline organizational structures that can obstruct your progress.

SIX CONSIDERATIONS FOR U.S. COMPANIES WITH NO TIME TO LOSE

Hybrid working is at an inflection point. It’s no longer the next big thing; it’s our new long-term reality. So, it’s time to be all-in on the strategy that sets your forward course.

To help you develop a plan that provides the structure you need now and the flexibility to evolve in the future, Poly has partnered with Worktech Academy on a white paper that combines key insights into hybrid working with original research focused on U.S. workers.

Read The Journey to Hybrid Working: Six Things for U.S. Companies to Consider, to explore six key decision points for making a successful transition to hybrid work.