Even before the pandemic, companies around the world were experimenting with the idea of remote work as an incentive for their employees. With some staff members unable to work from home 100% of the time, many organizations have used a flexible remote working model that has allowed them to work in the office for part of the week and at home for the rest. . Now though due to the pandemic, companies have had to switch to full-time remote work and it looks like many employees will be working from home for the foreseeable future. To learn more about the challenges of managing remote teams on a global scale and why companies may want to consider investing less in their office space and more in their employees' digital assets, TechRadar Pro spoke with Lenovo's vice president of enterprise marketing, David Rabin.
Can you tell us a little about your role at Lenovo?
As Lenovo's Vice President of Global Business Marketing, my focus is on business marketing and activation of the Lenovo PC and smart device group. This includes product management for the legendary Think family product range, including the ThinkPad laptop. Prior to my current role, I led Lenovo's brand, marketing, strategy, and alliance activities in North America. I've been with Lenovo for over a decade and haven't looked back since!
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Did your organization have a flexible or remote work policy before the pandemic and, if so, was it successful?
Lenovo is a global company operating in 180 markets and while we have always operated with a flexible work environment to collaborate remotely with colleagues around the world, never on this scale or duration. Before the pandemic, some employees were completely absent, others in the office full time, and some hybrids of the two for years. Today's work-from-home environment reaffirms that the investment employers make in the right technology tools will not go to waste because most employees feel just as productive at home as they do at the office.
What advice would you give when managing remote teams on a global scale?
As a manager, it is important to offer flexibility to your teams. Today's environment is unlike any other, and some employees have priorities that compete with work, such as managing a child's distance learning. Of course, we expect our employees to do their jobs, but it is crucial that we recognize that the earlier idea of the traditional workday may not have existed today.
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What technologies does Lenovo rely on to create a flexible work environment?
According to our recent Technology and the Evolving World of Work study, 70% of employees purchased new technology to navigate this remote work environment, of which 39% were partially or fully funded themselves, and EE employees . 350 dollars. . Now more than ever, it's important to provide employees with the technology they need to successfully work from home, allowing them to continue to feel productive and collaborative. During the pandemic, Lenovo has invested in a variety of computing tools, including laptops with longer battery life and additional productivity features. We also use collaboration tools like Lenovo ThinkSmart View, which allows our employees to participate in a voice or video call while freeing up their laptop or PC to access documents and presentations. Taking advantage of video calls through this device allows them to have collaborative conversations and brainstorm just like they did in the office. From a security perspective, Lenovo's ThinkShield solution has been crucial during this time, providing an extra layer of protection, and Microsoft's autopilot allows us to ship a device without it having to go through. in the hands of an IT professional.
Do you think organizations should focus on how to return to the office safely or how to allow their employees to work from home for the foreseeable future?
The concept of a hybrid or distributed workforce does not go away even after the pandemic. Companies need to prepare for both… a return to the office and a permanent model of remote work. One thing we have learned is that the employee experience will continue to change. IT departments must equip their organization's greatest asset with the right technology, security, and support to help them succeed, be as productive and efficient as possible, no matter where they work. According to our research, nearly two-thirds (63%) of employees believe they are more productive at home than at the office, despite distractions. It is critical that employers continue to think about how they can implement technology that supports a workforce that may remain remote, especially as employees enjoy working from home. . Companies need to listen to their employees and foster a work environment that reflects their needs and wants.
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Now that office real estate is no longer the need it used to be, where should companies invest the funds that they would normally set aside for offices?
The pandemic has made it clear that the distributed workforce is going nowhere, making technology more important than ever. As we continue to navigate the different phases of this pandemic, it is important that IT departments are able to support their remote workforce and the “work from anywhere” trend that will continue. much in the future. The office space as we know it will change and technology will take center stage. Some companies will shift their real estate investments to technology, allowing for accelerated adoption of emerging technologies. For example, instead of sending employees on the road for training, training sessions can be completed through an immersive virtual experience. Additionally, augmented reality solutions like ThinkReality enable real-time collaboration and problem solving in manufacturing and many other industries. While emerging technologies like AR/VR, IoT, and 5G were already helping us collaborate remotely, they will now see a higher adoption rate.
What lessons have you learned from the pandemic so far, and are there things you wish you had done differently?
Today's remote work environment has highlighted the need for organizations to continue to treat their employees as their most important asset. As a leader, this environment has reinforced the importance of an open dialogue with our team members. Establishing a two-way line of communication allows team members to make their voices heard. These conversations can not only lead to better remote work-from-home policies and create changes that benefit employees, but they can also be a great way to connect with a coworker and unwind during the day. Feedback is also valuable and crucial to maintaining a healthy work environment. If you are motivated, your team will follow suit. A positive attitude, even from a distance, can help create an environment where people are excited and eager to sign. One area we struggled with at first, but resolved, was "professional collisions." At the office, you meet people throughout the day and can have quick project updates or one-on-one chats. These are long gone and it took a while to understand their meaning. We are now encouraging our teams to use our instant messaging tools more efficiently, with some teams meeting for 5-10 minutes a day. I also would have liked to install a lock on my refrigerator door! It is very tempting to open it several times a day while working from home.