For years now, business leaders and tech experts have been talking about ‘the modern workplace’, but what exactly does this mean? Changing work environment and new ways of working have drastically influenced people’s expectations of how the workplace should be, and a new model of work has emerged to meet the changing needs of employees and businesses, and to help organizations remain competitive in an ever-changing business landscape.
Most tech experts agree that the modern workplace is defined by a greater emphasis on the use of technology to facilitate productivity, collaboration, and communication. Examples of this can be seen in many different sectors – for example, we spoke with a company that provides IT support for Education providers; in the last few years (due to COVID-19, mainly) schools have relied more heavily on technology to connect teachers and learners, and even with schools opening their doors after COVID, the integration of technology in classrooms remains.
The Modern Workplace: From Remote Work, to Hybrid Work
Hybrid work technology evolved from the trend of remote work as a response to the growing need for flexible work arrangements. Remote work became popular in the early 2010s, as technology improved and made it possible for employees to work from anywhere with an internet connection. However, while remote work offered the benefits of flexibility, it also created challenges for many individuals who preferred the office environment. Hybrid work emerged as a solution to these challenges by combining the benefits of remote work with the benefits of in-person work.
We spoke with a number of IT support companies London based businesses and professionals have been using to setup efficient remote and hybrid working, and they pointed to a number of notable components that shape both hybrid work, and the modern workplace:
1. Flexibility: A workplace culture that values work-life balance and allows employees to create their own schedules, determine their own workloads, and have control over their working environment. When COVID-19 happened, many businesses found that some employees got on well with remote work, while others suffered. Flexibility around how each employee wants to work means that a business can get greater levels of productivity and work satisfaction from their workforce.
2. Collaboration and communication tools: A wide range of technology tools, such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management software, designed to facilitate teamwork and communication among employees. Examples of these tools can be found in products like Microsoft 365, which many companies rely on, according to a company we spoke with which specialise in Microsoft 365 consulting.
3. Data-driven decision making: The use of data and analytics to inform business decisions, improve operations, and measure the success of business initiatives. This includes the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technologies to analyze large data sets and extract insights.
How Will Hybrid Work Continue to Shape the Modern Workplace?
It seems plain to most that hybrid work is here to stay, and will become an integral part of the modern workplace. As business becomes increasingly reliant on technology, hybrid work is likely to manifest itself in the modern workplace through smart offices that have technology embedded into them. The flexibility that workers prefer will be seen through solutions like workspace booking and scheduling systems – as people split their time between the office and their home, permanent desks will no longer be common, and a flexible means for arranging space in offices will become necessary. Businesses will also continue to look for ways to optimize their resources through hybrid work – such as by downsizing their physical premises, managing utility bills based on how and when the office is most in use, etc. Overall, hybrid work has the potential to allow businesses to operate in increasingly efficient and productive ways.
