Simon Hilton, head of new business at Spica Technologies looks at how the office has changed.
The pandemic has fundamentally changed the way individuals approach their daily lives. With 2020 showing dedicated office-goers that they can remain productive while improving their work-life balance through remote working, many of today’s talented candidates are unwilling to consider a job that requires in-person attendance five days a week.
Alongside helping individuals balance their personal and professional lives, hybrid working is saving commuters time and money that they would have spent on public transportation, lowering their carbon footprint, and enabling companies to hire from a wider geographic talent pool.
However, many companies value in-person collaboration - whether to encourage teamwork through socialisation or spend time on projects together. This is why the hybrid approach has become increasingly popular. To encourage in-person engagement, employers and office managers need to create the best office environment they can, encouraging talented individuals that this work model offers the best of both worlds.
A sense of belonging
If a business prioritises improving the work environment, in-office mood will naturally improve as employees feel more positive about attending. Frequently recognised in post-pandemic studies, if individuals feel that they belong in a company, often bolstered by a sense of comfort and connection, success and improved performance usually follows. Whether used for bouncing ideas off each other or building a strong professional network, there is an undeniable corporate benefit from adopting a hybrid, as opposed to entirely remote, working structure.
But how can office managers ensure that their employees want to come into the office?
The digitalisation of the office environment
For organisations keen to attract the best talent, they must take a forward-facing approach to employee satisfaction. To do so, creating the best possible work environment should be top of the list. By employing data-driven technology like Spica’s, employers have the ability to ensure key conditions, such as temperature, humidity and noise levels are optimised from a single piece of software.
As well as creating the perfect environment, technology can be used to check meeting room availability, locate any necessary company equipment, and even request meeting concierge services. Tools that share information on colleagues’ attendance enable coordination of in-office days and the ability to find colleagues quickly when in the same building. Ultimately, digitalisation is key for encouraging collaboration. All presented in a user-friendly format, embracing technology can give companies the tools to create the best office environment, and attract the best talent.
Why change how we’re working?
In a world where hybrid working takes precedence in many talented applicants’ job search, it’s fundamental that businesses embrace technology that will help them to attract, and retain, the best employees. Prioritising cultivating a healthy work environment is key - improving company culture and, as a result, revenue. In 2023, for organisations trying to remain one step ahead of their competitors, forward-facing software solutions are the key.