One size does not fit all
Finding and creating a changing working world that suits everyone is laden with challenges. But, as David Garson of IDO Virtual says, business will need to be agile and creative to both retain staff and keep them engaged.
I hear a lot of people telling me that they can’t wait to go back to the office and then I hear another group telling me they don’t want to go back to the office but don’t want to be out of sight or out of mind either.
Then add in the fact that many express a preference for two or three days a week at base and it looks very much like society will have to meet in the middle and embrace hybrid working or as I heard it called recently “smart working”.
Crucially, how we define our strategy over the coming months will affect staff retention – and wellbeing, something that is already under the microscope as an “essential” rather than a “nice to have”
When I speak to personnel chiefs or COO’s we are clearly not in a one size fits all working environment anymore and the expectations are that not only to retain staff but to also keep them engaged. Companies will have to offer a hybrid solution and, indeed, choice.
So how do we do that? We have tried the likes of Zoom/MSTeams, which is great for meetings or webinars, but let’s be honest its very intense. Half the people have their camera off and the issue is not whilst we are on our scheduled meetings but creating that feeling of togetherness and encouraging communication in between. For many that can be the majority of the day and the result is people feeling alone and isolated.
Americans call it water cooler talk but let’s be frank it’s just the ability to be able to speak to people normally or to pop by and simply have an unplanned and indeed unscripted conversation.
So how do we find a solution that suits everyone or at least gives everyone the ability to be together even when apart, for people in the office to be able to communicate easily with those not in but also keeping staff engaged - give them all an avatar and a virtual environment in which to work and engage.
Yes, you read that correctly - let them create an avatar. And depending on which generation you are from, or are exposed to, the above doesn’t seem so crazy, but actually means that once people enter the virtual environment they can communicate and still feel part of the company and community. Sims, Roadblocks or Minecraft for work, is how generations Y & Z describe it.
For us that are the generation above or higher don’t panic! You don’t need to be a gaming expert you can move around using arrow keys (you don’t have to wear a headset). And it’s spatially sounded so as you get closer to someone they get louder and further away quieter and as you can see from the link below it doesn’t matter where you are.
“We are clearly not in a one size fits all working environment anymore and the expectations are that not only to retain staff but to also keep them engaged. Companies will have to offer a hybrid solution and, indeed, choice.”
One can work, collaborate or indeed just have a normal conversation with your colleagues. In fact, it’s amazing once people are behind their avatar they actually often find it easier to communicate as the virtual world is so immersive.
Within the world you can share your screen, collaborate on documents, give presentations and use interactive boards. And, if you want, you can even share your camera and yourself on one of the screens. There are private areas and quiet zones that one can take yourself away to or indeed have private meetings and even lock the door.
The world has a variety of spaces available from office suites to classrooms, auditoriums, conference and expo halls and - for social engagements - a nightclub, roof top bar and even a beach (with speedboats).
Also don’t forget that when you are in the virtual world rather than an office, you are doing your bit to reduce your carbon footprint-something that we all have to really focus on over the coming years.
We are working with lots of companies to define their hybrid solution as not only do we deal with virtual worlds but also offer a combined tailored solution leveraging our experience (combined 30+ years) in the fast-moving flexible workspace market and traditional commercial real estate. Yes, bricks and mortar to find the best solution for your company and employees.
The world is changing faster than it ever has done before with companies now to be able to adapt and change quickly without long leases and liabilities tying them down.