Forrester has suggestions for executives to help ensure that remote and hybrid employees are as productive as possible.
For some organizations it is normal to work in the office again, but most companies are embracing remote and hybrid models. A new report from Forrester titled The Preflight Checklist for Working Anywhere shows that remote and hybrid businesses, if done correctly, have the ability to grow talent, culture and technology over time. However, if the move is not carried out correctly or not at all, companies can suffer disastrous consequences.
“While we predict that there is work to stay everywhere, we also point to the many headwinds companies face as they attempt to operationalize employee experience-focused return to office (RTO) programs,” said JP Gownder, vice president and chief analyst at Forrester in a blog post for the company† “Regardless of where you are on your RTO journey today, we believe there is a much longer way to get work done anywhere.”
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Making work anywhere successful for employees
Forrester estimates that nearly 70% of companies will implement a full remote or hybrid work model, and it’s up to companies to ensure that employees are successful no matter where they operate. To make the most of this step, the research firm offers four tips to ensure companies give their workforce the best possible chance of success:
- Make interactions in the office purposeful.
- Discover the challenges and barriers of employees.
- Build a digital backbone.
- Revise and refine your strategy while avoiding chaos and uncertainty.
One of the easiest ways to accommodate employees transitioning to hybrid work is to try to reduce the amount of time spent on unnecessary meetings. If employees feel that their valuable time is being wasted, they may begin to experience Zoom fatigue if they are online or burned out if they are in the office.
Another way leaders can ensure they get the most productivity out of their workforce is by partnering with employees to discover the challenges posed by remote employment. By listening to staff, leaders can absorb valuable feedback from their staff and streamline processes where necessary.
While digital tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams can be helpful for remote workers, it’s important to note that they don’t solve all problems that arise. Forrester proposes that companies invest in collaboration tools such as whiteboards and large digital displays, which allow multiple employees to work together to solve problems together.
Forrester also emphasized the importance of always being ready to adapt to change or develop work strategies. The work everywhere model is still fairly new when it comes to large-scale implementation, so it is imperative that companies support their employees when problems arise. Companies may even want to look at the use of employee monitoring software to confirm that the work is completed in a timely manner.
By making employees feel that there is a clear vision and expectations for employees in their roles, companies can ensure that employees feel supported wherever they are.
