How Can CEOs Build a Successful and Sustainable Hybrid Workforce?

The current global workforce climate is one of constant change, with more companies choosing hybrid models for their staff.

The COVID-19 epidemic and its economic consequences have expedited this trend, as businesses of all shapes and sizes have had to quickly alter their staff planning techniques in order to survive.

A Gallup survey indicated that only 32% of remote-capable employees worked from home at least some of the time before the epidemic began. By 2022, that figure has risen to 52% and is likely to rise further in the future years.

What is Hybrid Working Exactly?

Hybrid working is essentially a blend of remote and office-based employment, allowing teams to work remotely while still having in-person access to their colleagues. Because of its increased flexibility and the potential for increased cooperation, morale and productivity, it has grown in popularity.

Furthermore, it enables businesses to better manage their expenses and resources by reducing office space and providing employment opportunities to a broader range of individuals. For employees, hybrid models provide numerous benefits, including:

• Increased job satisfaction

• Reduced commute (cost and time saving)

• Improved work-life balance

• More freedom to work where and when they want

• Increased productivity

As with any new concept however, there are several things to think about while developing your hybrid workforce model. Let’s go through some important topics to remember:

Job Role Compatibility

Irrespective of the potential flexibility offered by hybrid working, it is critical that the job responsibilities within your business are compatible with a hybrid workplace.

Roles that require frequent team cooperation or consumer involvement, for example, may not be ideal for a hybrid approach. Remote employment may be better suitable for professions that require greater independence and flexibility. When evaluating job roles for hybrid working, it’s critical for the CEO to acquire a comprehensive picture of your organisation’s needs.

Collaboration With HR

From the onset, CEOs must involve HR in the planning and implementation of a hybrid working paradigm. HR will be able to provide insights into employee preferences and assist in the establishment of hybrid working methods and policies.

Effective workforce planning will be critical in this, as it will allow you to ensure that the required employee numbers are maintained and that teams are running efficiently. But what exactly is workforce planning, and how can it aid in maximising the performance of a hybrid operating model?

Workforce planning is essentially a procedure that allows an organisation to ensure that it has the appropriate number and type of people with the requisite skills to accomplish its current and future goals. This involves looking at the larger picture and developing plans to achieve corporate goals such as cost reduction or efficiency improvement.

Hybrid work can be an excellent approach to increase a company’s overall operational efficiency, but it can also bring workforce planning issues. To ensure successful execution, consult with the HR team for insights and assistance on how to operate best with hybrid teams.

Technology

Technology is the foundation of any successful hybrid workforce, so make sure you have the necessary tools in place for your employees to work as productively as if they were physically together in the office. You may need to invest in collaboration solutions such as video conferencing software or team messaging apps, for example.

You must also ensure that your team has access to a reliable internet connection, along with the correctly spec’d equipment for them to work as normal.

Giving your team the freedom and opportunity to speak out about their home-working environment is also important. Successful CEOs encourage issues to be raised via an ‘open door policy’, and this could prove vital when keeping teams happy and comfortable in their new home-office.

Depending on your industry (and area), you may also have to deal with data security risks and compliance rules such as GDPR. Employees who work from home or in public areas such as coffee shops and co-working spaces must be aware of the data protection methods available to them in order to keep the company’s information secure.

Building An Effective And Sustainable Hybrid Model

It all comes down to communication when it comes to creating and sustaining a successful and sustainable hybrid workforce strategy. With this in mind, it is the CEO’s obligation to set clear expectations for workers’ roles and duties while also providing them with all of the tools and support they require to prosper in a hybrid environment.

On top of this, the CEO should also focus on creating an environment of trust, respect, and collaboration. This will be key in helping employees adjust to the change and ensure that the hybrid model runs smoothly.

An effective hybrid workforce model, when combined with smart workforce planning and the correct technology, could be the key to unlocking new levels of performance and efficiency for your company and securing a competitive advantage in the marketplace.