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Keys to building a
hybrid work environment
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Keys to building a
hybrid work environment
How does your SME’s remote work strategy stack up?
Work today is no longer bounded by a place or time. The workforce now includes millions of remote workers and employees that are always on-the-go.
Even as companies ensure a safe return to the office with the reopening of the economy, remote work looks set to stay. According to Gartneri, nearly half of all employees will periodically work remotely during the post-pandemic. This calls for not just a remote work strategy, but a hybrid work environment that enables employees to switch locations wherever productivity can be at its maximum.
“Forward-looking employers must be ready to help their employees realise both their professional and personal roles effectively regardless of where they will be working – this is work redefined,” said Eric Gohii, vice-president and managing director for Singapore at Dell Technologies.
Businesses that have not adapted their ways of working may risk losing their competitive edge. To ensure continuity, employers must help their team transition to the new reality of hybrid work by providing the necessary tools to stay as productive as possible, wherever they are working from.
Yet, almost half of employees in Singapore feel that they are not being equipped with the technological resources to work remotely successfullyiii.
Is your SME ready for the hybrid future of work? Read on to find out the keys to building a hybrid work environment.
The quickest way to shift work processes from on-site to a remote office is to migrate the company’s infrastructure, including applications, communications and data to the Cloud.
For example, traditional Private Branch Exchange (PBX) phone systems are costly hardware investments. They require a team of in-house IT experts to conduct regular maintenance and updates, and users are tethered to the office to access the phone systems.
Cloud servers eliminate the costs and hassle of managing physical on-site servers. Yet at the same time, Cloud servers allow for automatic, real-time software updates and upgrades. In other words, you get to enjoy the latest features without the time, resources or added costs to upgrade your hardware.
Toggling between different apps and platforms to consolidate information for work can be counterproductive. Cloud-based Unified Communication solutions, like StarHub SmartUC, streamline and simplify your internal and external work communications.
SmartUC allows you to continue accessing advanced telephony features, like call transfer, sequential calling and simultaneous ring, on your office phones.
On top of that, its softphone app enables you to make and receive calls from your office number using your mobile devices, laptop or computer from wherever you are. It also comes with powerful collaborative capabilities such as instant messaging, video conferencing and file sharing, making communicating across locations almost as easy as doing it in person.
Build a Truly Mobile Workplace with SmartUC
Find out how you can stay connected to your customers and colleagues wherever you go
With an all-in-one seamless communications solution, your employees can work from anywhere without sacrificing the ability to connect with customers and collaborate with colleagues.
Strengthen security to minimise cyber risks
The rise in “Bring Your Own Device”(BYOD) arrangements and a mobile workforce also means more devices are connecting remotely outside of the secured corporate network. This could pose potential data security risks that may compromise sensitive data or unauthorised access to the company’s confidential information.
Besides implementing cybersecurity measures, working with a trusted and reliable network provider can ensure consistent and secure network access for all employees. Companies should also ensure that newly adopted technologies or solutions are backed by high security protocol levels.
Improve employee engagement for long-term sustainability
Besides the technical challenges, employers have brought up concerns such as employees’ wellbeing and engagement. As employees can find themselves disconnected from their leadership and colleagues, having consistent communication is crucial.
Business leaders must find creative ways to foster a sense of connection and teamwork that remote workers lack. Organising weekly meetings and frequent check-ins can help provide a structure and routine. On top of keeping employees updated on the business’ health and happenings, employers should also maintain two-way communication to provide a comfortable platform for employees to share feedback or concerns.
The current world context forces companies worldwide to adapt their work models to survive in a rapidly changing and disruptive environment.
There will be no going back to the old ways of working that prevailed before the pandemic. Your business has to start embracing futureproof strategies to ready your hybrid workforce for the next normal.
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