Over the past year, many large employers have settled on a hybrid model as the best path forward.

According to new policies from tech giants like Google and Microsoft, as well as consulting firms IBM, EY, and McKinsey, most companies now aim to have employees split their time between working remotely and coming into physical offices or client sites.

They recognize that employees value flexibility, but that in-person interaction remains important for activities like team building, coaching/mentoring, ideation sessions, and complex problem-solving projects.

The specifics vary, but many employers ask staff to be on-site two to three days per week. Some cite internal data showing hybrid models may optimize outcomes around the 40-60% range for time spent collaborating face-to-face. Products measured include metrics like productivity, employee well-being, retention rates, and client feedback.

Being able to cater policies to different job functions and team needs is also a priority, as a one-size-fits-all approach will not work for all companies or roles. Consulting, for example, requires more on-site client time. Overall, companies continue refining their strategies through testing and employee surveys.

While the pandemic blurred the lines between work and home life, fully remote arrangements seem to be losing favor compared to balanced hybrid policies. For most major employers, the emerging standard is a flexible approach balancing office collaboration with the autonomy of remote work.

This “new normal,” hybrid appears poised to become the dominant structure for many white-collar jobs.

Learn more about how to implement your hybrid office: Offision – your all-in-one smart office platform

The post The Rise of Hybrid Work: How Major Companies Are Balancing Flexibility and Collaboration first appeared on ONEs Blog.

In this article, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process to define your workplace strategy.

What is a workplace strategy?

A workplace strategy is “a systematic approach for improving the
effectiveness and efficiency of how workspace is used by changing the way workspace is configured“.

A well-thought-out strategy in the workplace can boost your company’s output and performance while also improving collaboration and teamwork. It can also lower absenteeism and presenteeism while increasing employee engagement.

It is crucial to remember that this is a very personal matter, as there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ strategy because the company’s business goals play a major role in developing one. What works in one workspace may not work in another, even if both are owned by the same company.

Reasons for a workplace strategy

First of all, it can lower your operational cost.

By doing your first-time research about whether the way your workplace is utilized in the most efficient way, you will quickly find out that there is a big portion of your office that is not being used most of the time. Operational costs can be then greatly reduced by reorganizing these office places to be flexible workplaces or transferring them into smaller spaces.

Also, it can improve your employees’ work-life balance and performance.

Workplace strategies such as flexible working can help people to obtain autonomy in picking their working places and times in different situations. Flexible working hours, and a hybrid office set-up with all-in-one smart office system support can assist your employees in achieving a work-life balance, which can improve employee satisfaction and of course, their performance.

How to develop your own workplace strategy?

Step 1: Analyze Your Business Objectives

The first step in defining your workplace strategy is to analyze your business objectives. Identify your company’s key goals, such as improving collaboration, enhancing innovation, or reducing real estate costs.

This analysis will help you determine what types of workspaces and amenities are needed to support your objectives.

Step 2: Assess Your Current Workplace

The second step is to assess your current workplace. Conduct a space utilization analysis to determine how your space is being used and identify any inefficiencies. Also, survey your employees to understand their needs and preferences in the workplace.

Step 3: Define Your Workplace Policies

The third step is to define your workplace policies. Determine your company’s policies on issues such as remote work, flexible hours, and office layout. These policies will inform your workplace design and help create a culture of productivity and engagement.

Step 4: Design Your Workplace

The fourth step is to design your workplace. Use the information gathered in the previous steps to create a workplace design that supports your business goals, employee needs, and workplace policies. Consider factors such as space planning, furniture selection, and technology integration.

Step 5: Implement Your Workplace Strategy

The final step is to implement your workplace strategy. Communicate your workplace policies and design to your employees, and provide training on how to use the new workspace effectively.

Monitor your space utilization and employee engagement to ensure that your workplace strategy is meeting your business goals.

Why ONES is Your Ideal Workplace Strategy Partner

ONES provides smart workplace solutions that can help you define and implement your workplace strategy.

With features such as occupancy sensing, desk booking, and visitor management, ONES can optimize your space utilization, improve employee productivity, and enhance workplace safety.

ONES also provides real-time workplace analytics to help you monitor your space utilization and employee engagement, so you can continuously refine your workplace strategy.

Choose ONES as your workplace strategy partner and take your workplace to the next level.

Contact us: hello@ones.software, or visit ONEs Software official website for more information: https://ones.software/sg/.  

The post How to define your workplace strategy? A Step-by-Step Guide first appeared on ONEs Blog.