Struggling with hybrid working?
Your technology could be the issue
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the news lately, you’ll know that UK businesses are currently being pulled in two opposite directions. The International Energy Agency has released a number of recommended measures in light of what it calls “the greatest global energy security threat in history“, including a strong push for more home working to reduce fuel and energy consumption.
On the other hand, the return to office debates continues. Six years on from a global pandemic that completely upended the way we work, hybrid working has become normalised. However, there is still a drive towards getting staff back into the office, with the government mandating 60% office time for civil servants and many companies championing the collaborative nature of office working.
There is no right or wrong answer, but there is one thing that could hinder hybrid working – the technology.
The rise of remote
When lockdown hit, many businesses had to transition to working from home almost overnight. For those that continued with this, over time their setup has often evolved into a patchwork of different systems and processes. While it may function day to day, this kind of piecemeal setup can be complex and difficult to scale.
Different businesses operate in different ways. Some, such as digital agencies, can work fully remote. Others prefer a balance between home and office. Some have a central base but spend much of their time on the road visiting clients, while others rely on having everyone in one place. Whichever category your business falls into, with reliable technology it doesn’t have to matter. A modern system can support all these scenarios and more.
The challenges with remote working
Workplace expectations have shifted, and employees increasingly value flexibility. However, business owners fear that professionalism may suffer if staff are working remotely. It’s true that without an efficient system in place, this can be the case.
For example:
- A client calls the office and is told, “I’ll have to give you Sarah’s personal mobile number because she’s at home today.” Instantly, the business looks small and disorganised.
- Managers feel they’ve lost tabs on their team because they can’t see who is on a call, who is available, or who may need support.
- Using personal devices for business data outside the office network increases the risk of GDPR and cybersecurity breaches.
You know what’s best for your business, but if the technology isn’t allowing you the flexibility to choose, it could be time to review it. Not only could this improve customer experience, staff morale, and team communication, it could also save you money. Lost productivity, whether due to unreliable devices or missed enquiries, quickly adds up.
The solution
With a professional Unified Communications setup, the home office becomes indistinguishable from the head office.
- With a UC app, a manager can see at a glance whether their team is “On a Call” or “In a Meeting,” just as they would in a physical office.
- When a team member makes a call from home, customers see the company’s office number. When they call back, they can be transferred seamlessly to the right person or department.
- By moving to a centralised, managed platform you avoid a mismatch of systems that are difficult to track and maintain. Instead you’re running a streamlined, secure operation.
The world we live in is constantly changing and if the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that we can’t predict when or where the next challenge might come from. What you can control is how well your business adapts. A Unified Communications system gives you that flexibility.
However and wherever you choose to work, make sure your technology is supporting your business as effectively as possible.
Let us help you futureproof your business. Give the team a call at our Bristol or Chesham office today. We’ll show you how a modern system can save you money, protect your security, and keep your team professional, wherever they happen to be sitting this week.
