Today hybrid work has arrived as a formal business practice requiring IT organizations, in concert with business partners, to rethink strategy, tools, and infrastructure.
According to Accenture, 83% of workers believe a hybrid model to be optimal for them.[1] Other research shows that more than half (55%) of employees want to work remotely at least three days a week.[2]
Companies are quick to respond to shifting needs: Almost three-quarters of U.S. companies plan to make or currently have permanent hybrid work models, research shows.[3] The Cisco Hybrid Work Index indicates that 64% of people say the ability to work remotely directly affects whether they stay or leave a job. [4]
But the modern manifestation of hybrid work is not just enabling employees to work adequately from wherever. It has evolved to where the goal is designing holistic experiences that will boost worker productivity and elevate collaboration and innovation. At the end of the day, companies must create a work environment where people are empowered to do their best work, unencumbered by complexity and inspired by new workflows.
Even companies that have already brought back many or all of their people into offices with legacy infrastructures can benefit from technology that has emerged with the shift to hybrid work environments. Implementing hybrid technologies often opens up a world of opportunities for worker satisfaction and employer benefits.
As companies move into the next era of hybrid work, CIOs need to consider the following to make the model a pathway to greater success:
- Create inclusive and equitable collaboration. Teams need more than videoconferencing to get their work done. To ensure high-quality collaboration and effective meeting experiences, IT organizations need to build out infrastructure that supports whiteboarding, polling, webinars, and video. The platforms need access to robust and secure connectivity to prevent inconsistent or suboptimal performance.
- Consider the home office part of the real estate footprint. Today, 77%[5] of real estate and IT leaders now consider the home office part of the overall real estate strategy, but less than half of employees say they have the right technology to work effectively when remote. For hybrid work to succeed, employees need the right technology to excel, including tools that remove distractions, integrate seamlessly into their workflows, and support natural and authentic interactions.
- Improve employee well-being and retention. Building a better employee experience—whether employees are in the office or working remotely whether at home or on the road—is crucial for keeping the workforce happy and engaged. Personalized experiences can help ease stress and eliminate virtual work friction. Proper insights into working habits can showcase how and where to introduce initiatives aimed at reducing meeting fatigue and the always-on burnout culture.
- Securing work and digital assets. Securing data, systems, and privacy is more complex, but no less important with hybrid work. Look for solutions that promote a zero-trust security posture, ensure end-to-end encryption, and have centralized management of systems and services.
The bottom line
With the right platforms, experiences, and workplace best practices in place, hybrid work is more than an alternative work model, but rather a competitive asset for the modern enterprise.
For more information on Cisco’s solutions for hybrid work, click here.
Hybrid work isn’t one size fits all. Whatever your workforce model, we have you covered – today, tomorrow, and into the future. Sign up for a 30-minute, zero-commitment demo to get your questions answered, learn how to get started, and explore a range of solutions.
[1] https://womenforhire.com/company/accenture-2/
[2] 30 Essential Hybrid Work Statistics (2023): The Future of Work, Zippia.com
[3] 30 Essential Hybrid Work Statistics (2023): The Future of Work, Zippia.com
[4] Cisco: Mastering Hybrid Work: A Comprehensive Guide for Productivity, Security, and Collaboration
[5] Cisco: Mastering Hybrid Work: A Comprehensive Guide for Productivity, Security, and Collaboration