The pandemic has firmly convinced the world that most industries can survive with their employees working remotely. It has also acted as a springboard for a host of software and hardware launches aimed to make remote communications and collaboration easier.
With the situation stabilising, many companies have continued with a hybrid working model, seeing that the results and growth are attainable regardless of the customer-facing teams’ location.
Communication tools, productivity assistants, and various types of analytics all serve to make remote employees’ lives easier and keep business operations running smoothly.
For companies that are still on the fence about hybrid working, we’ve talked with Hilary King, Head of Marketing at Akixi, to get to grips with remote working essentials and tools that enable teams to be productive just as they would in a regular office.
Start with essentials
It’s common knowledge that a laptop or desktop machine is a must for remote working, followed by a headset or miscellaneous things like multiple monitors and a comfy chair and desk. Software-wise, every company is already using or considering a suitable collaboration platform for its needs. Similarly, good internet connectivity ties it all together. To provide all of these items from the list, businesses might be under pressure on top of setting new goals in a hybrid environment. With the latest advancement in collaboration and analytics software, King thinks its businesses’ duty to ensure that their employees have everything they need to be productive from any location.
The great cloud migration allowed the transition to remote working to happen smoothly and quickly. However, companies still have to put in the effort and leap into the unknown. King says:
“Some companies were way behind the trend and had to overhaul their business processes and systems overnight, whilst other companies had more homeworking practices already in place. Certainly, the migration to cloud forced businesses to make a lot of decisions on how they manage their business, not just in the short term, but in the longer term as well.”
Put culture first
Adopting a different approach to employee well-being and employee productivity goes hand in hand with the material items and software. Apparently, the first might require a bit more effort to implement than the latter. King explains:
“It’s not only a technological shift but a cultural shift as well. It is probably a challenge for some companies more than others. Employee experience needs to be high on the agenda for businesses because of its known impact on customer experience and the two are very closely aligned.”
It’s very much about caring how employees are dealing with hybrid working and less about which collaboration software they are using. Needless to say, the software still matters but looking at the bigger picture, the employee experience is crucial to business in general. King continues: “Having clear policies and expectations in place that deal with hybrid working and making sure that those are communicated effectively across the business will make hybrid working a lot easier. Each team member should know what’s expected of them and how they can achieve it.”
Keep motivation levels high
Teams are made up of individuals with different work preferences, and trying to adapt to each of them could be a mighty task. Managers should pay attention to employees’ communication preferences and make sure to keep their spirits up.
This is where analytics and reporting strategies come in handy. Akixi’s digital leaderboards showcase personal and team performance against KPIs and help employees see where they are. These leaderboards also remind employees that their personal performance makes a difference in overall team success. On the topic of motivation, King elaborates further: “This method can also help spark a bit of competitive spirit within teams as well, which is obviously just as important, if not more so when you have a dispersed workforce.”
“Having regular feedback and recognition is crucial for keeping employees engaged. Even though they are working from home, employees know that their manager is aware of their activity and productivity.”
Regular reports help address any issues quickly and efficiently, just as they would be when teams are in the office. When employees deliver results, managers should reinforce positive feedback accordingly.
Designed to help deliver ultra-responsive customer experience, Akixi solutions offer visual leaderboards that help teams across the business keep track of calls, chats and emails, boosting productivity and providing a sense of connection at the same time. With the right solutions and culture approach, hybrid work might be the solution that makes your business thrive.
