Redesigning the office for the new future of work

Since the pandemic, hybrid work or the combination of working from home and from an office or other shared workspace has become common in South Africa. Almost 70% of organisations expect that over the next two years, a quarter or more of their staff will be hybrid. South Africa’s current problems with load-shedding, however, could make the above statistic difficult to reach as managers look for ways to safeguard productivity amid an electricity crisis.

Charis Nicholas, Head of High Touch End User Video Collaboration in South Africa and southern Africa at Logitech, says: “While hybrid work has many benefits, such as increased flexibility and reduced commuting times, it also poses several opportunities for employers and employees alike. The success of hybrid work hinges on creating the best employee experiences. Businesses should look to increase the effectiveness of flexible work by investing in modern office spaces and next-generation collaboration technologies that are equipped to navigate the complexities of hybrid work.”

One of the biggest challenges of hybrid work is communication. When employees are working from different locations, it can be difficult to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that important information is shared timeously. This problem is compounded by intermittent power outages. Equipment like the Logitech Brio 505 web camera and the Logi Dock give employees the flexibility to be able to work remotely or easily set themselves up at a hot desk. Integrated with leading video conferencing services, the Logi Dock is a powerful all-in-one docking station that delivers the kind of simple, individualised desktop experiences that employees need when moving around to avoid load-shedding.

Hybrid offices should be able to accommodate shifting workflows and employee needs. This can be done by creating a variety of small collaborative spaces that foster productivity, collaboration and socialisation. Furthermore, not all meeting areas need four walls. Offices with open collaboration spaces can have three walls or fewer and be set up to encourage ad hoc collaboration in a more casual setting than meeting rooms.

Many South African businesses are not equipped with the technological foundation needed to effectively manage a hybrid office. By following these simple steps, organisations can redesign their offices for the new future of work:

• Redesign and retool the office to accommodate the unique needs of hybrid work;
• Build technology-infused spaces that support collaboration in engaging ways;
• Ensure ease of use with exceptional UX for touch-to-join video meetings;
• Bridge the divide between digital and physical experiences with equal and inclusive meetings that take employee circumstances into account;
• Enable easy monitoring and management of all devices across all spaces for IT;
• Leverage native integrations with leading cloud services for a “better together” experience; and
• Pursue sustainability.

Nicholas concludes: “As companies grapple with what hybrid work model works best for them, they must remember to prepare themselves for disruptive shifts in the workplace. By leaning on the technology-driven transformation, they can keep employees productive and happy while ensuring business growth.