Tag: remote working

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to the way the world goes about its business; namely, the way we socialise, the way we travel, the way we take care of our health, the way we shop, the way we do business, the way we structure our time and the way we work.

One of the phrases that emerged in the last two years as more companies adopted remote working was 'the new normal.' At the time, most of us took that to mean that – along with having to wear masks and sanitise our hands at every opportunity – businesses that found they could continue operations on a remote working basis would continue to do so in perpetuity.

Two years since the world shut down and companies and employees scrambled to set up work-from-home, we are once again in a transition period as the world opens up a little and organisations grapple with how they will organise their workforce.

New research by International Workplace Group (IWG) reveals that hybrid working is the most sought-after benefit for job seekers and as important as financial benefits. The term 'Great Resignation', coined in May 2021 by Anthony Klotz, a professor of management at Mays Business School, describes a swell of voluntary resignations amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Two years ago, the global COVID-19 pandemic changed the world. Riddled with an uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring, many who were able to, saw their homes turning into their offices, as they moved to remote working.

Change, like death and taxes, is inevitable, and the last couple of years of the COVID-19 pandemic have brought global changes inconceivable before. Meeting clients, friends and family online for a quick Zoom catch-up (I don’t think I’d ever attended a virtual meeting before COVID-19), working remotely (previously, that was almost unheard of, and only for the lucky few), and having to, if you’ll excuse the cliché, pivot to make yourself and your business relevant in this new world are just a few examples of change many of us have had to cope with.

The hybrid working model will likely become the new standard operating model for many organisations in various industries. However, there are still significant concerns to address before it is successful. Whether it is employee connectivity, access to back-end systems, and cybersecurity to name a few, companies must rethink how they approach this digitally-driven environment.

As more businesses adopt hybrid workplace models and with lockdown levels now reduced, leaders are wrestling with unresolved concerns. Successful hybrid work poses a difficult challenge for leaders. While many of the obstacles of remote working were effectively addressed, four remain that need to be managed to capture the benefits of new ways of working and propel organisations forward.

Powerful international trends are changing the governance and remuneration landscape significantly. These trends are ushering in a profound shift in how we think about governance and remuneration, and smart boards and executive teams need to understand their implications.

Given the ever-changing landscape of the past two years, the adage that nothing is certain except death and taxes is perhaps more apposite than ever. Whilst it may appear that a semblance of normality is returning, its almost as certain as death and taxes, that remote working will be a part of the next normal.