{"id":45566,"date":"2021-06-14T11:50:39","date_gmt":"2021-06-14T04:50:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/act.com\/managing-hybrid-workspaces-5-things-every-business-should-know-2\/"},"modified":"2023-03-21T10:49:47","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T17:49:47","slug":"managing-hybrid-workspaces-5-things-every-business-should-know-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/products.act.com\/en-gb\/managing-hybrid-workspaces-5-things-every-business-should-know-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Managing hybrid workspaces: 5 things every business should know"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
\r\n
\"\"<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Remember when companies used to think remote working was impossible, and team collaboration could only happen in face-to-face meetings?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How times have changed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Last year, while the coronavirus pandemic unleashed a wave of unprecedented challenges, especially for small businesses, it also forced companies to adapt in ways they never thought possible. Thanks to ubiquitous connectivity, automation, and mobile technology, many small businesses and entrepreneurs were able to survive, and even thrive, in a year of massive global upheaval.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Remote work saved small businesses<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Before COVID-19, many companies frowned upon remote work because they didn\u2019t know if employees were really working or just slacking off. However, when remote work became essential for business survival during the pandemic, employees proved that they could work just as efficiently and productively as before (and perhaps even more so).\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In addition to supporting greater business agility, remote work helped companies achieve other benefits, such as reduced overhead costs and greater recruiting flexibility, since many job positions no longer depend on where employees live and work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The rapid shift to remote work also changed employee expectations. For instance, studies<\/a> have linked greater flexibility to increased job satisfaction. Many workers found they could achieve a better work-life balance by using their time more productively. For instance, time they can spend time working instead of commuting and stay focused on tasks without the distraction of social interactions and other typical office disruptions. And, since they no longer need to live within driving distance of the workplace, many workers moved out of expensive cities with pricey real estate and relocated to more affordable rural areas where the only requirement for work is an Internet connection.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Of course, remote work isn\u2019t for everyone\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

While many remote workers undoubtedly love the ability to go to work in their pajamas, others can\u2019t wait to return to a physical workspace because there are too many diversions at home. Without an office environment to go to, many of these workers struggle with a sense of isolation, lack of creativity, overall inefficiency, and inability to separate home life from work life. These workers can\u2019t wait to return to a more \u201cnormal\u201d routine again.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Although remote work is not a good fit for every worker or business, it\u2019s clear that companies won\u2019t be able to rush their employees back into the office all at once. If anything, many companies will need to maintain a flexible, hybrid work environment for the foreseeable future.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Fortunately, many small businesses and entrepreneurs are already well aware of the trend toward hybrid working. For instance, SMB Group\u2019s recent study<\/a> discovered some interesting trends:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n