The impact of foreclosure on businesses has varied widely from industry to industry. For example, the closure of non-core businesses has wreaked havoc on the retail and hospitality industries, but the new standard for many tech service businesses has resulted in a positive reassessment of work styles. According to Gartner, up to 74% of companies plan to integrate remote work into their business strategy, so it's important to go from surviving to thriving while working remotely. While many of us are adjusting to lockdown, we're looking at five ways the new standard is actually the best normal for the office of the future.
1. Work will forever change for the better
Clearly, working remotely provides a wide range of benefits for employees and employers. Home-based employees can often benefit from increased focus, fewer distractions, and better productivity, which means more work gets done efficiently and can benefit bottom line. Research shows that 55% of workers said their level of productivity increased due to the extra free time in their day, and 44% said they had fewer distractions at home. The current climate means that remote work is no longer a privilege of the past and that the world of work will inevitably see a permanent shift towards remote work styles post-pandemic.2. The end of the central office
The lock marked a turning point for the standard route. We typically commute to city centers to work in steel and glass or brick and mortar offices. But the office of the future should be more of an abstract concept: it can be located anywhere with the connectivity provided by technology for remote work. Research shows that 62% of respondents believe that increasing flexibility has helped them focus more on work. The success of remote work for urban businesses means that employers will have less incentive to pay costly overhead for expensive central rents, which can migrate to more distant business parks and more relaxed spaces for all physical needs. . We're already seeing brands like TetraPak switch to hybrid work, torn between home and office, proving that remote work is definitely here to stay.3. Digital transformation has accelerated
Lockdown has launched digital transformation into fifth gear. Companies recognize the growing need for business continuity and cross-project collaboration. When it comes to digital transformation, many consider only the software aspect of things, ignoring hardware considerations until they need it. Research indicates that despite 82% of employees preferring to work remotely one day a week or more after the end of the COVID-19 crisis, nearly a third (28%) were not equipped with the necessary equipment. to work productively at home. Take it from Google: Code before you lock to buy tech products like laptops and massive keyboards to make sure employees are equipped to work from home isn't the best approach. As we consider the reality of telecommuting in the long term, companies need to start investing heavily in IT provisioning and asking employees directly what technology fits their individual departmental needs to ensure they are set up for success. Whether it's two screens, an ergonomic keyboard, or a docking station, employers need to make sure their employees are well-equipped to work productively at home. Ideally, the tools should provide a calm and distraction-free environment, handle video calls at all times, and limit physical tension and stress.4. Technology plays a bigger role in our daily life.
In recent months, sectors traditionally opposed to change have embraced technological tools and solutions to function better digitally. We've seen people turn to conferencing platforms like Zoom for uses ranging from remote college to telemedicine to even the weekly quiz. The retail industry has taken technology adoption a step further, with retailers exploring how innovations like augmented and virtual reality can create contactless shopping experiences to drive customers back. safely in physical stores. Research shows that consumers are ready to use technology solutions, such as scanned checkouts or an app that could be used to scan and pay for products when in the store. This could usher in a golden age for digital retail. It's clear that technology permeates almost every aspect of our lives and interlocking has helped us as a society to recognize and appreciate the value of technology as a pillar of our lifestyles.5. Agility is the only way forward
As lockdowns begin to lift, we will once again face a new standard, one that involves employees sharing time between home, office, and venues in a socially distanced manner. The displacements will not be identical either. Protection and portability will be essential for travel 2.0. Some of the more fortunate employees are making themselves comfortable at home, but many will continue to work in makeshift conditions from sofas, dining tables and even versatile ironing boards. Whatever your work setting, technology can help you create a work-friendly environment. You may not have an ideal work-at-home setup, but there are plenty of innovative solutions on the market for work audio, ergonomics, and computer setups in spaces large and small. However, the installation of the central office is only the first phase of the digital transformation of the style of work. In the near future, employees will need to alternate between home and office settings as the return to office begins again. Employees will need to be agile in every way. They must be equipped with travel-ready technology when we enter the next phase of work. When the journey begins, a hybrid and agile approach is likely to be popular, combining the best benefits of remote and office work. An innovative solution to this is to have your "desk in a bag". Portable, easy to plug in and playable technology accessories like keyboards and smart devices will enable employees to work efficiently anywhere, anytime. Technology needs to be portable enough so that work travels with you, rather than arriving at work.Towards a better normal
The lockdown has caused the biggest impact in recent years on the way we work; marks a turning point in how and where we work. The last few months have shown us that as a workforce we can accept working from home and continue working as usual, proving that a hybrid approach may be the best way. to follow for the efficiency, productivity and well-being of employees around the world. future.- Marcus is a Senior Executive and Head of EMEA at Targus.