Hybrid working became a necessity during the pandemic and it looks like its here to stay. For some businesses it does not work but for others it has become very popular, especially in the games industry. Companies have adapted and continue adapting remote working ever since lockdown measures were first implemented. The pandemic also rocket-fuelled innovation, as technology quickly evolved to ensure businesses could continue to operate while the workforce shifted to working remotely. Hybrid working is now the next phase of workplace culture.
It is an ongoing evolution, and the workforce is learning to adapt to all its benefits and challenges. However, hybrid work is not a one-size-fits-all and takes work to get it right. Companies understand that they need to be flexible and accommodating, especially if they want to recruit and retain a diverse workforce. A hybrid work model allows you to hire talent from all around the globe and talent is talent, it shouldn't matter where you're physically located.
Having access to a wider talent pool means you can hire people with specialised skills, bringing a more competitive edge. Geographical constraints are less of an issue in hiring, and applicants can take their chances applying for jobs they otherwise might not have the opportunity for, meaning remote-friendly companies, like us, have a great advantage in attracting qualified candidates. The time spent travelling to and from the office can also be allocated for meetings with clients who may wish to meet earlier than 9 a.m. or later than 5 p.m. enabling a more flexible service.
Whether employees work from home, in the office or a combination they need support to do their job well and have the resources to do so. Digital communication is a great way to ensure business continuity and it has become a solid part of our working life however, the challenge lies in how you continue to communicate with employees who work partly at home and partly in the office. Having a strategy that keeps on top of evolving technology and stays flexible enough to change business models if needed, promotes collaboration and retention and supports creation of a multigenerational workforce.
To make hybrid a success, you have to consider how work gets done. Not only is it important to consider the needs of your team but also coordinate the work they do with others on their team and clients. With remote working, staff can avoid distractions and other disturbances that are inevitable in a bustling office. Remote employees often benefit from a more flexible schedule as well enabling them to work around family constraints and so adjust their schedules to maximize productivity to get the most out of their work hours.
The shift to remote working is allowing us to create diverse teams and build businesses capable of adapting to unexpected developments. It is giving us experience in assessing what can and cannot be done remotely as well as innovating technologies to help us with being able to do more from home. Although there are times when we need to be in the office, and game development is creative which works best when we are all physically in the same room, if we can continue to find ways for successful remote working then perhaps we should. The next question to be asked should be “is remote working sustainable?”
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