Top 5 Must Haves For The “Return To Office”

888.796.7688 | prodoscore.com Top 5 Must Haves For The “Return To Office” 1 Numerous studies have shown Combining those metrics with working remotely, how can we that employee preferences have the favorable outcomes and ensure a seamless transition, changed since pre-pandemic productivity gains we’ve seen accountability across teams, and, times. A recent Robert Half over the last 15+ months in a ultimately, success? survey found that only 25% want remote environment, a hybrid to return to the office full-time. approach seems like the most On the whole, organizations have Another survey reveals that 1 in popular, and viable, option for to be intentional about the future 3 people would actually quit if businesses in a post-pandemic of work. Things are not simply asked to return to the office full- world. In a hybrid environment, going back to the way they were, time. Harvard Business School some employees will work from flexibility is a requirement, and surveyed 1,500 professionals home full-time while others will several new processes will need and found that 27% want to work go to the office; or, staff will to be put in place. remotely full-time while 61% want alternate days in the office and Below we outline the top 5 must to work from home 2-3 days a days at home. haves. week. Only 18% want to go back to an office full-time. So, if some of us are returning to the office and others are

01 CYBERSECURITY

02 COMMUNICATION CHANNELS

03 A FUTURE-FIT OFFICE

04 PROJECT MANAGEMENT

05 PRODUCTIVITY INTELLIGENCE

Top 5 Must Haves For The “Return To Office” 1 01 | Implement A Cybersecurity Plan

Pandemic or not, new types of cybercrimes seem to pop up every day. With some employees at home and some in the office, it’s important to ensure that everyone is well-informed about the risks of a cyber attack. Educate them on how to recognize phishing and other scams and provide a list of understands the differences and protected outside of the office. best practices for keeping devices how to identify when something But, it’s also important that both in- secure. Some organizations seems fishy. office and remote teams have the even make cybersecurity fun same levels of security set up on by incorporating games into the Home networks add a unique layer their devices - remote employees learning process, giving away to the cybersecurity challenge should not feel penalized for being prizes for completing quizzes, and as they do not typically have the remote. keeping training light, not scary. strong controls you would want to have in a remote office for Outside of training and retraining The biggest security threats, your business. Businesses need your staff, in order to keep your according to an article in Expert to consider things like firewalls, business protected, ensure a Insights, are phishing attacks, secure wireless, or even VPNs cybersecurity solution made up malware attacks, ransomware, for their remote employees. 100% of tools and processes is clearly weak passwords, and insider remote teams may need some communicated and understood by threats. Make sure your team additional guidance on how to stay all employees on staff.

02 | Provide Simple Communication Channels

Communication was important and employees aligned - that than ever before to communicate when we were in the office as means strong communication with clients, partners, and well as when we were remote skills are a must. It also means that colleagues. but it must remain at the top of reliable communication tools are a the list as we prepare for the must. Workplace communication future. If in-office employees tools like Slack make it easy don’t have a clear and simple Things like video conferencing, for employees to stay on top of way to communicate with remote messaging apps, and unified ongoing projects, brainstorming employees and vice versa, phone systems should exist in sessions and plans for future collaboration will flounder and every modern business. Some work, regardless of where isolation will ensue. of our favorites are Slack, they’re located. That steady Zoom, RingCentral, and Google flow of communication brings Good communication can promote Hangouts but there are so many teams closer, keeps relevant teamwork and keep management options today that make it easier conversations top of mind, and

Top 5 Must Haves For The “Return To Office” 2 Remember, though, different if there’s some sort of emergency, apps serve different purposes pick up the phone. - choosing the right channel matters. Email, for example, should We’re all far too familiar now with generally be used for more formal video and conference apps but digital communication. Emails tend that doesn’t mean we should to support longer conversations, ignore etiquette. Several tools multiple recipients, and a specific offer virtual hand raises and goal but don’t typically require all include a mute option, both an immediate response. If your features that can prevent chaos with a large group of participants. makes it quick and painless to get email is time sensitive or the chain If you’re hosting a meeting, always updates when they’re needed. goes on for more than 3-4 rounds consider either picking up the try to jump on the line at least a Encourage employees to use the phone or adjusting your subject couple minutes early to test the tools you’ve put in place, not their line so it’s more action-oriented. technology and ensure you’re personal cell phones, for example, Text and instant messaging, prepared right at the start time. so communication and process in contrast, are more casual Maybe even test the screenshare are streamlined. It’s also ok (and (emojis and abbreviations are function if you’ll be using it to recommended!) to use internal welcome!) and the expectation avoid the “can you see my screen” communication platforms to have is that responses should come interruption. some fun. They can double as pretty quick, i.e. within an hour. Do Sharing some of these best team-building tools where people ensure boundaries when using practices with employees can share funny memes and pictures text or IM - just because these also help create a more effective of their pets, and provide some channels are instant in nature communication strategy at your insight into the person behind the does not mean they should be organization. employee. used outside of work hours. And,

03 | Future-Fit Your Workplace

The office as we knew it is dead. In open concepts are likely a thing the rage as we head back into a post-pandemic office employees of the past. Disruptions aside, offices. will require flexibility, more space, the open office culture almost and disinfectant. Technology will guaranteed a trail of sick people. We touched on communication be invaluable in helping to modify If your cube mate got sick, you above but technology in general floor plans, seat assignments and were probably going to get sick, as may need to be updated. In order shared space bookings, among was the person sitting next to, and for a video conference call to other things. on and on. An Inc article outlined be successful with some remote the disadvantages of open space staff and some in-office staff, the Open concept offices were all the back in 2016 - maybe we should sound needs to be clear for all rage for many years. Unfortunately have reconsidered then. Now that participants, and the screenshare for those large Ikea desks and a socially distant world is the norm, needs to be seamless. In-office noise canceling headphones, private offices are going to be all conversations that the remote staff

Top 5 Must Haves For The “Return To Office” 3 can’t hear should not be allowed. for managing those bookings the same time. All the popular If the in-office team members will can also help manage sanitation apps offer contactless today, be in a common space, they’ll between usage. A digital system like DoorDash, Grubhub, and need to ensure it’s quiet (i.e. not for booking conference rooms Postmates, to name a few. next to a buzzing AC unit). Remote can also ensure that large groups employees need to ensure that of people don’t accidentally end Indoor air quality is another they can be seen and heard. up in a small space at the same area that may not have been a time. Robin is a great resource for top priority pre-pandemic but When it comes to physical office booking desk space, measuring should be monitored in a post- space, realistically, organizations office demand, and coordinating pandemic world. Conduct regular are likely to reduce their real across locations. air tests, change filters regularly, estate footprint and as such their use devices to help clean the air, occupancy costs. If they do, a Consider investing in a food and make absolutely certain that rental system for desks makes delivery app that offers contactless workspaces are regularly cleaned sense. Rather than assigning each food delivery. That will make it to prevent mold, dust, allergens, or person their own space, desks easy for in-office team members contaminants from accumulating. can be “rented” for the day. Apps to feel supported and safe at

04 | Project Management

The ability to plan, manage and progress. They are built with make it easy to break down large track the status of projects lets collaboration in mind, making projects into smaller chunks. your teams hit even the tightest it easier for your entire team to Completing small tasks within a deadlines and complete complex redefine the way they manage larger project makes the entire projects. Project management projects, no matter where they’re process simpler. And, if risks are tools like monday.com, Asana, working from. They keep everyone identified along the way, they and Trello make it easier for on track and on a path to success. become easier to address, rather businesses to stay on top of every than only being surfaced when aspect of ongoing projects, plan Additionally, project management reviewing the end result. for upcoming ones, and ensure tools provide a space for defining alignment on multiple tasks. deliverables - what does this task Overall, quality control is another With staff separated by physical entail? What are the goals? Who significant benefit of project location, a project management is responsible for what? When management. With expectations tool helps keep all employees will the project be completed? on time, resources and goals informed and in harmony. Without a clear description clearly defined, quality output is upfront, it’s difficult to determine more likely. Some of these tools can be pricey, if the end result is on target or but the cost of not having one is not. Project management creates In much the same way, the role far higher. Project management accountability and enforces of a project manager is a critical tools allow employees to track process while also providing one to any successful business. A communication related to certain guidance on timelines and costs, if good PM will empower the team to projects, view and monitor the applicable. work productively and effectively, status of daily tasks, and keep guiding them to the finish line as management up to date on Good project management tools efficiently as possible.

Top 5 Must Haves For The “Return To Office” 4 05 | Productivity Intelligence

Engagement is one of the greatest indicators of success in business. When we’re engaged, it’s likely that morale is high and output is strong. Visibility into engagement creates opportunities like never before, and as we enter a new and different phase of work, it’s important that we incorporate Perhaps the most unique tool on Knowing when employees tools to support progress. the list is a productivity intelligence are most productive, who may solution like Prodoscore. With be overworked, and which To put it simply, and as stated in the help of AI and machine technology solutions are being the research referenced earlier, learning technology, a productivity utilized gives leaders a firm grasp employees want flexibility. intelligence solution measures on what’s going on and where Generally speaking, employers employee engagement across there are opportunities to improve. want to provide it. But, without a wide range of cloud-based These insights tell leadership that accountability it’s difficult. Visibility business applications to provide there’s something to dig into - from Prodoscore satisfies both actionable insights into daily maybe it’s a coaching opportunity, needs. productivity. maybe it’s nothing at all. Data around productivity helps build At the end of the day, employees Think of Productivity Intelligence confidence and gives managers need to feel comfortable, like your “check engine light.” the opportunity to make decisions no matter where they are. When it goes on in your car, do based on fact, rather than relying Organizations will be tasked with you ignore it or do you investigate? on their gut feeling. creating a safe space where It’s likely you try to find out what’s people can speak up and share going on. Sometimes it’s as simple We measure everything in their opinions on how things as securing a loose cap, and other business – quota attainment, are going. It has been a tough times it’s far more complicated. payroll dollars, office equipment 15+ months, for many reasons, But the light itself can’t tell you utilization. Why aren’t we but we have learned a lot about what’s going on, just that you measuring our people? Consider what works for us personally need to take a look. In much the expense reports for a brief and professionally. As we forge same way, Prodoscore presents moment - although we trust forward, we cannot lose what indicators - measurements that our employees, we ask them to we’ve gained. generate contextualized data that provide a detailed report of their can be used to gauge employee expenses (receipts, hotel folios, Contact us to discuss how contributions over time, identify etc.). We don’t simply payout a productivity intelligence can drops and improvements in random dollar amount because help your return to the office. performance, spot burnout and they said that’s what they spent. attrition before they become a So, why don’t we hold people major problem, and visualize accountable for that same level Contact Us trends in how employees work of introspection when it comes to each day. productivity?

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