Remote working has transformed our lives forever. And the revolution isn’t temporary.
Gartner found nearly three quarters (74%) of business leaders plan to keep their workforces operating remotely following the crisis. More importantly, employees want to work from anywhere – to the point one in five would be willing to take a pay cut to carry on.
While office-based work definitely won’t disappear completely, businesses need to continue supporting remote working. To get this right, they need to enhance their invisible infrastructure and create a positive culture in which employees feel part of key decision-making driving their organisations post-Covid-19.
Invisible Infrastructure – It’s Important
Global spending on digital infrastructure is predicted to grow by 5.3% in 2020 and software investments by 1.7% as a direct result of the pandemic. This will be crucial in supporting the permanent shift towards remote working.
But businesses need to be careful they invest in the right way. A particular type of connectivity and cloud infrastructure is needed – capable of offering businesses and network managers greater flexibility and control, without meaning that they have to rip out their existing systems and start all over again.
To guide them through this, business leaders should look for a strategic IT partner to advise them on where exactly they need to make upgrades to support flexible working. Even better, leaders should take advantage of IT partnerships, broadening the tech expertise at their disposal, and strengthening their decision making when it comes to vital infrastructure such as cloud and networks.
Championing Culture
But for digitisation to have its greatest impact, business leaders need to work on creating the right culture – one in which people feel bought into key decisions, especially about tech. Evidence from PwC shows that staff want and need to be involved in these judgements to deliver the right results.
With a mix of remote working and office-based employees likely to be the norm in future, creating a sense of unity and empowerment – especially when it comes to technological decisions (where to invest, how to implement it) – might be difficult.
But through being open and transparent about digital decisions, businesses can create the right mindset among employees. By having meaningful dialogue about how technology can support staff across multiple locations, empowering employees to take ownership and providing regular and proper training (in the office and virtually), workers can feel inspired and enthused, even if they’re not in the office.
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Rebound Race
Moving out of survival mode and focusing on the rebound is now the key challenge for businesses up and down the country. And there’s no question that remote working, with the flexibility and productivity benefits it offers, is going to play a starring role.
To reach forward, seize the opportunity and win the rebound race, businesses must prioritise investment in culture and infrastructure. In making the right decisions, they will unlock new and exciting possibilities for employees and customers alike, and drive a prosperous recovery.
By Mike Smith, Managing Director (Direct), Virgin Media Business
