The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spanner in the works by shifting the working environment remotely.While life moving forward seems uncertain and we are being placed in positions to continuously adapt to the ongoing changes this pandemic brings us, we do know a few things are certain. 

 

1. Hybrid workforces are no longer temporary 

Hybrid workforces are no longer a perk or benefit within an organisation. Employees want a 3:2 (on-premise and remote) flexible working environment. The privilege to collaborate and socialise with staff members and to attend on-premise training sessions in-person, whilst having the flexibility and option to work from home. 

 

Sixty-six percent of business leaders are likely to redesign their offices in the next 6 months while 73 percent of workers want the option to stay remote and 67 percent want more in-person collaboration.

Image sourced from Microsoft.com - The Next Great Disruption Is Hybrid Work—Are We Ready?

The Work Trend Index survey was conducted by an independent research firm, Edelman Data x Intelligence, among 31,092 full-time employed or self-employed workers across 31 markets between January 12, 2021, to January 25, 2021.

 

Responding to the employee market and offering a flexible work environment to satisfy the needs of the people is a major challenge for businesses to manage. Here at VoIPcloud Wholesale, we recognise the importance of this new trend and are all for providing a hybrid workforce to boost morale and employee satisfaction. 

 

2. Microsoft teams, alongside many other communication platforms, are the way of the future

It's no secret that managing employees remotely has put a strain on management for a multitude of reasons. Now more than ever, management must strive to ensure employees are motivated by reducing burnout, supported with the resources and tools to perform at their best, and offer access to virtual activities to reconnect with the team.

 

A way that we have managed these challenges is by leveraging the use of Microsoft Teams. The communication platform has allowed us to direct message, call and share our screens to remain connected throughout this evolving digital era. Another highlight of MS teams is the third-party apps that can be integrated into their platform.


Some great examples include:

Polly; to engage and capture feedback from team members

Asana; to manage projects and stay focused on our goals

Trivia; to virtually create bonds and excitement, and many more.

 

If you don't already have a reliable and robust system to stay connected with your team, we highly recommend utilising MS teams. If you aren't already aware, our system integrates with MS teams that allow you to communicate with your team and the outside world!

 

Why MS teams?

An all-in-one collaboration solution for your teams. Benefit from the major collaboration functions of Microsoft Teams such as video calling, screen sharing, group chat, instant messaging, document collaboration, and file transfer, as your main business communication tool. All the hosted PBX features such as call transfer, custom caller ID, fax to email, callerID routing, voice menu, call recordings, user performance reports, call queue wallboard and many more are available when you using Microsoft Teams direct routing with us.

 

To find out more about how we help your team communicate efficiently and effectively, contact our support department who will assist you with your inquiries. 

 

3. Engaging and motivating employees is more important than ever

Creating a balance between various age groups is one of the hardest battles of all. Each individual copes and handles stress differently. 

 

Gen Z is struggling more across various aspects of work, like sharing new ideas, getting a word in during meetings and feeling excited about work, compared to Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers with Gen Z

Image sourced from Microsoft.com - The Next Great Disruption Is Hybrid Work—Are We Ready?

The Work Trend Index survey was conducted by an independent research firm, Edelman Data x Intelligence, among 31,092 full-time employed or self-employed workers across 31 markets between January 12, 2021, to January 25, 2021.

 

Navigating and managing these struggles to cater to each individual is a challenge. Based on the above data, Gen Z and Millenials are struggling to cope with the pandemic for a variety of reasons; isolation, financial struggle, balancing work, and home life.

 

What do we do?

Aside from ensuring our team are safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are catering to all individual needs by offering a variety of ways to remain connected and positive during hard times.


Here are some ideas that we have built for our team as a way of establishing connectedness;

1. Increase remote activities to boost socialisation and morale such as Steps Challenges and Scavenger Hunts

2. Develop and build your own wellness newsletter to offer employees tips and tricks to stay healthy both mentally and physically 

3. Block out time to catch up with your team individually to discuss individual goals, roadblocks or to chat about unrelated topics

4. Schedule virtual coffee hangouts into groups during work hours for 10-15 minutes so employees can casually take a break and chat with other members of the team

5. Continue to celebrate milestones and/or catch up in general for after-work virtual drinks