The remote-work world we accepted during the pandemic has evolved, with blended and hybrid settings now taking centre stage. According to Microsoft’s newest Work Trend Index, this will characterise the post-pandemic business world (WTI). Employees polled in the WTI are looking for “the best of both worlds”: 73 percent want flexible remote-work alternatives to remain, but 67 percent want more face-to-face time with their coworkers.
Advertisement:
According to WTI data, 46% of employees worldwide are considering leaving their current employment because they can work from home. Although lower at 36% in the EMEA region, this figure is still noteworthy. As a result, a company’s hybrid working strategy will determine “who stays and who goes,” according to the index.
What is the mood in Pakistan? Emerging nations such as Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh have a substantial presence in the global remote-work industry, according to Nikkei Asia last year. In fact, according to the article, workers from these nations will account for more than 80% of the distant labour in 2020. Companies will be able to establish an effective hybrid workspace after economies reopen following pandemic-induced lockdowns, having had equal success functioning exclusively in-person and exclusively online. Offering the freedom of remote work while still providing the collaborative, social aspect of seeing colleagues in person is critical for employee wellbeing.
Advertisement:
We’re learning as we implement these hybrid-enabling improvements, just like the rest of the corporate sector. Nicole Herskowitz, Microsoft Teams General Manager, underlines that hybrid meetings have been a game-changer for establishing a successful work environment, based on what we’ve learned.
Following the “ABC” technique on Teams-based meetings has proven critical for Microsoft, according to Herskowitz. The letter ‘A’ stands for audio, because having the correct technology to allow everyone to be heard clearly is a key component of inclusive cooperation. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is the abbreviation for “bring your own device” (turning on your camera but muting your mic). The letter ‘C’ stands for Collaboration, and it refers to providing a facilitator to simplify interactions between virtual and in-person meeting participants.
Advertisement:
As the WTI pointed out, enabling successful hybrid working will necessitate a rethinking of office space as well as investments in supporting technology. With new Teams Rooms features, Microsoft has innovated on the technical front to help handle the messy middle. The video gallery is spread out horizontally at the bottom of the screen with the Front Row layout. The capabilities of the Surface Hub in Teams Rooms have also been improved to provide more options to collaborate in real time.
