Dan Schawbel* says there is a range of technology solutions now available that address many of the issues associated with remote and hybrid working.
Although the widespread adoption of remote and hybrid work models has largely been beneficial, the shift to these new ways of working has its challenges.
For employees, one of the most notable downsides has been the lack of social connection and interactions.
There’s also the fear of being left behind when it comes time for promotions and rises, especially for workers who don’t go into the office very often.
Meanwhile, managers have their own set of concerns.
Not only is it challenging to oversee remote workers, it’s also much more difficult to build a strong sense of culture and foster team cohesion.
So far, the solutions to these challenges have largely been ineffective.
Some organisations have tried to force people to return to the office full time, but this has been met with a great deal of resistance.
Studies have found that many workers would rather quit their job than give up their ability to work remotely.
Others have focused on creating opportunities for virtual socialisation, or they’ve looked to communication channels like email, Slack, and Zoom to fill the void.
While offering an occasional virtual happy hour isn’t a bad idea, by itself this simply isn’t enough to create an engaging day-to-day work experience.
Without a real solution in place, workers are becoming increasingly lonely and isolated, teams aren’t operating as effectively as they could be, and there’s a growing sense of unhappiness and disengagement.
Not only are employees less productive in this type of environment, they’re also more likely to quit.
In today’s employee-driven job market, that’s something few organisations can afford.
One solution that’s just beginning to enter the market is virtual workspaces, like that offered by Kumospace, a virtual office platform.
The products aren’t just pre-existing tools cobbled together and rebranded — they are spaces that truly enrich remote work with the energy of a physical office.
A virtual workspace is a technology product designed for remote, hybrid, or distributed organisations.
They integrate with existing platforms like Google Workspace products or Microsoft 365.
At a minimum, they offer virtual conference rooms, video chat features, and other ways for employees to share information.
However, the next generation of virtual workspace products offer additional features that set them apart from these legacy tools.
For example, some offer spatial audio, which allows team members to have multiple conversations at the same time in one space.
Others provide customisation options so organisations can brand their space and employees have the freedom to express themselves.
These spaces can even promote movement, allowing team members to bump into one another and creating serendipitous encounters and informal collaboration.
Best-in-class virtual office tools offer even more functionality.
They often allow for a wide variety of customised environments and spaces, everything from job fairs and classrooms to cafes and lounge areas.
They also support events, games, and much more.
In sum, these tools create a virtual work environment that’s designed to closely replicate a physical space and bring the organisation’s culture to life.
Here are some of the challenges that virtual office tools can address.
Foster connection and promote organic collaboration
There’s no question that remote working has contributed to the growing feelings of loneliness among today’s workforce.
People miss seeing each other in person and being able to have quick conversations in the hallway.
The organic brainstorming and socialisation that can so easily happen in an office is no longer possible.
One of the main benefits of a virtual workspace is that team members can stay connected regardless of their physical location.
Employees can simply stop by a co-worker’s office as they would in real life.
This leads to a more ‘normal’ style of communication and collaboration, and a better sense of belonging.
Boost engagement and productivity
One of the side effects of the shift to remote working during the pandemic was a notable increase in meetings.
Make no mistake, this isn’t a positive trend — there’s a reason why companies like Citigroup have banned Zoom meetings on Fridays.
Back-to-back calls and meetings that “could’ve been an email” are immensely draining, yet they’re far too commonplace in today’s workplace.
Spending time in a virtual workspace can reduce the total number of meetings, since the majority of them can be replaced by a quick interaction with colleagues.
Instead of messaging back and forth on Slack throughout the day or scheduling a formal meeting, an employee can just hop into a virtual office and get the answer they need.
Improve equity and inclusion
Hybrid organisations may quickly find themselves dealing with issues around fairness.
Workers who choose to go into the office more often will get more facetime than those who work from home.
This can affect whether people feel included and ‘in the know’ on workplace happenings.
It can also give office workers an unfair career advantage, especially when more office time means more exposure to management and senior leaders.
The right virtual office tool can help organisations put employees on a more even playing field, no matter where they’re located.
By promoting connections among all team members, virtual workspaces ensure that everyone has equal access to the same information.
These tools can also boost the visibility of remote workers and provide them with equal access to networking opportunities, which can help them advance their career.
Although there are multiple factors behind the high levels of workforce disengagement, many of them boil down one thing: People’s inability to see each other in person.
By bringing employees together in one energising space, a best-in-class virtual office tool can help bridge the gap between dispersed team members.
With the Great Resignation showing no signs of slowing down, there’s never been a more pressing time for organisations to invest in improving their remote work.
*Dan Schawbel is a bestselling author and Managing Partner of Workplace Intelligence, a research and advisory firm helping HR adapt to trends, drive performance and prepare for the future.
This article is part of his Workplace Intelligence Weekly series.
