Hybrid work is one of the most significant transformations in the world of work that has occurred in recent years. It is an approach that combines the flexibility of smart working and physical presence in the office, creating a new way of working that improves employee life and company efficiency.
After an initial emergency phase due to the pandemic, where the companies had to introduce solutions as soon as possible to try to resolve the contingent situation that had been created, the companies themselves today find themselves facing a new crucial challenge: ensure that all employees and collaborators have a configuration that keeps them connected with team members, allowing everyone to be able to contribute inclusively and equally. Regardless of where the employee is physically located (at home, in the office or on the move).
What is hybrid work and why introduce it into the company
The concept of hybrid work has established itself in recent years as one of the most significant transformations in the modern work landscape: it is an approach that combines flexibility of smart working with the physical presence in the office and represents an innovative and profitable response to the changing needs of the job market.
This way of working, in fact, not only allows workers to better reconcile private and professional life, but also promotes productivity and well-being, while maintaining the added value of face-to-face collaboration.
Suitably structured for the future, hybrid work proves to be a winning model which does not penalize, but rather can guarantee one constant growth of SMEs and Corporate Enterprises, as well as of the Public Administration, even if for the latter the change processes are more complex.
Il 40 % of workers, in fact, according to Accenture's Future of Work report, believe they can be satisfied and more productive by carrying out their work both remotely and in the office according to a hybrid model. The data tells us that the 63 % of organizations that have already implemented hybrid working models (productive anywhere) have recorded high growth in turnover.
While, on the contrary, the vast majority of companies with negative or non-existent growth (69%) are still focused on the work model linked to the presence of employees on site.
According to research by Frost & SullivanFurthermore, the main challenges faced by business leaders and IT decision makers concern the increase in remote working. In fact, it emerges that:
- 93% expect a quarter or more of employees to work from home;
- 37% will reduce corporate real estate to encourage hybrid working;
- 36% will invest in more meeting rooms;
- 28% will be completely remote with no physical offices.
Hybrid and remote work they are not, therefore, a temporary phase but are destined to last over time: for this reason companies must prepare for improve the user experience to help remote workers stay connected, engaged and focused.
It becomes crucial, therefore, to introduce advanced technological solutions that guarantee a fair and inclusive work experience for all participants. Businesses are now challenged to invest in business management software, integrated communications systems and virtual collaboration solutions to optimize operational efficiency and support a modern, resilient corporate culture.
Frost & Sullivan
How to introduce hybrid work in the company
Make the hybrid work as effective as possible, companies need to know identify and implement smart collaboration solutions (software and hardware) specifically designed to improve communication and collaboration between team members. Whether it's remotely or face-to-face, the workstation must be flexible, high-performance and comfortable to use in any situation. A workstation equipped with the latest smart technological solutions can make the difference in terms of productivity and efficiency.
In this scenario, IT decision makers have the task of identifying and adopting collaboration tools that are able to bridge the gap between the virtual team and the one present in the office as much as possible.
Audio-video tools: the essential components to invest in
But what are the solutions capable of encompassing these characteristics and which are able to offer effective and quality videoconferences and hybrid meetings? Businesses that have already invested in modern cloud meetings are realizing that by associating those investments with Professional audio-video tools and components dramatically improve interactions, increase productivity and reduce employee fatigue. Equipping yourself with professional headphones with microphone and webcam therefore allows users to be seen and heard clearly during their business interactions, improving hybrid collaboration experiences.
So businesses shouldn't fall into the trap of using cheap, consumer-grade desktop audio and video devices and settling for mediocre quality audio and video for their meetings, leading to frustrating and inefficient experiences. The productivity benefits of pairing professional webcams and headsets with next-generation cloud services are indisputable. The Frost & Sullivan white paper identifies the main ones.
- Video side (professional webcams):
- High definition video with digital zoom for clarity, smoothness and detail
- Autofocus for crystal-clear video regardless of user position, even in close-ups
- Automatic correction that compensates for low light and backlight
- Field of view that optimizes the user's framing and helps cut out distracting backgrounds
- Integrations with leading cloud meeting services
- Lens cover that ensures user privacy when the camera is not in use
- Centralized management and control
- Active Noise Canceling (ANC) to eliminate background noise and distractions
- Digital signal processing, to make the user's voice sound natural
- Ergonomics to enable extended use (e.g. soft earpads made of extra-thick foam)
- Plug-and-play compatibility with leading video conferencing software applications
- Wide range of styles to suit individual needs based on job role and personal preferences
- Long battery life
- Centralized management and control
Audio side (professional headphones):
Read our Business case
As personal workspaces become the hub of collaboration in hybrid workspaces, creating great personal collaboration experiences is critical to improving productivity. The video conferencing and cloud services they are now a must for promoting the productivity and connections of hybrid teams. According to Frost & Sullivan's research, the video appears to be the effective communication method: usage is up more than 350% from pre-pandemic levels, and according to a survey of IT decision makers, video conferencing is in fact the second IT priority after migrating to the cloud.
Le audio and video components - as microphones, speakers and webcams – therefore have a fundamental role in helping to offer quality video conferences. Companies must invest in appropriate technological solutions capable of offering high-quality and uncompromising natural audio and video in all spaces: home offices, traditional office desks, open plan offices, collaboration rooms, co-working spaces and shared workstations. Since one of the The main causes of meeting fatigue are poor audio and video quality and since the audio video solutions that are usually already integrated into laptops offer basic functionality but are certainly not able to offer optimal experiences in all conditions, IT decision makers of companies therefore have a duty to carefully evaluate the various options available in order to identify the most suitable quality solutions.
The characteristics of audio and video tools for hybrid work
According to research by Frost & Sullivan, here's what the Main characteristics and peculiarities that they should have ideal audio and video tools and solutions for effective hybrid work:
From users:
• POSSIBILITY TO BE SEEN AND HEARED – Solutions that offer meeting experiences that put everyone on the same level, both in the meeting rooms and remotely, in terms of inclusiveness and engagement;
• NATURAL COMMUNICATION – Devices that improve user comfort and safety by sharing audio, video and realistic content;
• PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE – Noise cancellation, virtual backgrounds and cameras optimized in low light conditions that allow remote employees to get optimal audio and images;
• EASY ACTIVATION AND USE – Simple plug-and-play devices that offer a hassle-free experience, small footprint, and work with your chosen cloud meeting.
What IT managers need:
• STANDARDIZATION – Solutions that reduce complexity, simplify delivery and increase cost savings;
• UNIFIED MANAGEMENT – A single control panel that allows efficient management and monitoring and easy support of devices from anywhere;
• VISIBILITY – Analytics that capture comprehensive data on how employees are using devices and come up with innovative ideas to drive more productive meetings;
• SAFETY – Uncompromised corporate data and employee privacy.
Frost & Sullivan
Hybrid work: the IdeaPM model
The IdeaPM Group, which had already started its transformation process, aiming to create a hybrid working model, found confirmation of the validity of its solutions. The model used by IdeaPM thus became a point of comparison with companies and their customers, who were able to verify new processes and technologies enabling on-site and remote work.
Thus was born a dedicated professional service aimed at companies and intended to transform the IdeaPM hybrid work model in a win-win model. Through the in-depth analysis of processes, human resources, work spaces, technologies in use, IdeaPM acts as a 1st level technological partner to offer its personalized consultancy and tailor-made design and, thanks to its team of experts, will be able to propose organizational solutions and professional products intended to preserve investments made over time.
