Remote working won't impact workforce productivity and collaboration - unless you let it

Why, as pandemic pressures ease, are we getting so hung up on exactly where we will be working in the future?

The re-opening of offices has been at the forefront of the news agenda in recent months, as the government continues to plan for the relaxation of social distancing rules. And while some businesses already have plans in place to open their doors to employees for the first time in over a year, others are still weighing up their options.

One thing all organisations can agree on, however, is that work has changed forever. As has the way we manage and facilitate productivity and collaboration across the workforce.

Why then, are we getting so hung up on exactly where we will be working in the future? By focusing on location at such a granular level, many businesses are losing sight of what is important - keeping staff connected, motivated and engaged, regardless of where they are logging on from.

Breaking down barriers

It may have taken some time to adapt, but the mass shift to remote work has had a number of positive outcomes. First and foremost, it has completely eradicated the barriers that have prevented a similar wide-spread uptake of remote work in the past.

From both a technological and cultural perspective, drawbacks that were previously a problem no longer exist. Organisations have spent a great deal of time and money implementing modern technologies and tactics to ensure staff are able to communicate and do their jobs effectively, even if they aren't in the office.

The introduction of video conferencing, chat functions and work management platforms have all had a dramatic impact on employee productivity, collaboration and wellbeing during the pandemic. As a result, both staff and employers have become highly reliant on technology solutions for getting work done.

Solutions that can keep up

Today, we find ourselves facing a what-comes-next wave of big decisions. Namely, do we stay remote, do we bring everyone back into the office, or do we adopt a hybrid model?

It may be too soon to tell which of these is the best choice but one thing remains clear: whatever strategy businesses devise, they'll need the proper solutions and resources in place to simplify how people work.

One of the easiest ways to start boosting productivity is to implement a software solution that can simultaneously help you build more efficient processes, track projects, monitor resource allocation, and communicate more effectively across the organisation.

There are many challenges to a hybrid working model, including communication breakdowns, workflow silos, and challenges in keeping up with processes and best practices. By keeping everything in one centralised digital hub as a single source of truth, team members - regardless of whether they are at home or in the office - have quick and easy access to real-time project updates.

More change to come

Just last month, almost all of the UK's 50 biggest employers reported they do not plan to bring staff back to the office full time. Instead, the firms said they would embrace a hybrid model - combining home and office working. Many suggested that workers would be able to make their own choices about how often they come into the office, citing ‘smart working' and ‘flexibility' as the reason for adopting hybrid work.

For a lot of organisations, this will mean having teams across different offices, countries and time zones. When workers are spread out and unable to work side-by-side, you don't have immediate visibility into what everybody is getting done. Wires get crossed, important messages get lost in the shuffle, and frustration builds. As a result, teams must change the ways in which they share information, stay connected, and ultimately, achieve more.

Work stress, the environmental impact of commuting, and a poor work/life balance are all among the reasons employees are seeking longer-term flexibility in their professional lives. Remote work isn't just a big part of the future, it's a big part of the present. That's not to say it doesn't come with its own unique set of challenges, but equally, there are solutions for these.

If your organisation is considering a transition to a remote hybrid office environment, plan workplace training for staff. Improve work visibility and synchronise in-office, remote and hybrid working colleagues as much as possible. Remember, you are one workforce. Finally, get rid of productivity-killing silos by cutting down on inefficient workflows and improve the quality of communication with the business.

Andrew Filev is founder and CEO of Wrike