The organization of work as we knew it before the Covid-19 outbreak is gone. By forcing companies to switch to remote work and adopt new digital and collaborative tools, this crisis has dramatically changed the way we communicate, work, and collaborate. If WFH (Work from home) has naturally imposed itself as the only solution to maintain economic activity, it will certainly also durably change our ways of working and communicating…
Let’s start with a small figure to think about… According to a recent study by Webtorials, an average of 6,200€/year per employee is still wasted due to ineffective communication and collaboration.
What impacts on the organization of work?
Remote work, short-time working, or even layoffs, the Covid-19 crisis has hit the corporate world. Companies have faced an unprecedented context. Destabilized in their organization, they had to act quickly to protect their activities from an economic disaster. One of the main actions: Adopt new communication tools and processes for internal and external collaboration.
In 2018, nearly a quarter of the U.S. workforce (23.7%) worked some hours from home on an average day. And according to the Eno Center for Transportation, as of 2017 more Americans work from home than commute via mass transit.
Not all companies were ready for this 100% digital and remote shift. They did not all have the same ability to adapt to ensure the continuity of their business.
On the one hand, the “digital native” companies that have taken this turn without any problems. On the other hand, companies lagging behind in the adoption of digital technology. Those ones have seen the acquisition of technological tools change from optional to necessary, even vital, status.
The first lesson is therefore that all companies surviving this crisis will adopt different tools to ensure business continuity remotely.
The 2nd lesson is certainly that in order to mobilize its teams remotely, it is necessary to implement communication & collaboration that are innovative and efficient. A lot of companies rushed on freemium solutions as a temporary answer to that situation but will have to rationalize their systems.
Finally, the third is perhaps the fact that teleworking will become a standard, or at least will become more popular and democratized in companies.
So, towards the democratization of remote work?
Remote work has become a reality for many employees in the private sector and event the public sector. For some it was a real discovery, for others it was just a normal way to go. Novices realized that telework was not counterproductive and leaders learned to trust. In the end, WFH became the a more than valid option!
It will now have to become part of the companies’ HR strategy. And that’s a good thing. Companies are strongly encouraged to make remote work last as long as they can in order to avoid employee gatherings. Some American companies are even going so far as to extend teleworking until at least 2021! Some others claim the death of the office.
Twitter takes thinking to the extreme. It plans to allow some of its employees to work from home permanently, even when the containment measures to contain the coronavirus are completely lifted.
“If our employees have a role and a situation that allows them to work from home and they want to do so indefinitely, we will make that possible,” a Twitter spokesman told.
So yes, remote work still has a bright future ahead of it and promises to penetrate all (or almost all) households.
Collaborative tools at the heart of telework
That’s perfect to hear, but… how can we work together remotely?
That’s where communications is THE central role!
While working from home, time and exchanges must be optimized, collaboration must be facilitated and customer relations optimal! But without the right tools, it’s impossible.
Unified Communications solutions offer communications applications for all needs, to meet all business objectives: calls, chat, file sharing, video conferencing, planning, project management, call center… there’s something for everyone, for all uses and above all to ensure (and increase) productivity.
Today’s Covid-19. And tomorrow? It’s time to switch to unified communications to ensure business continuity in any situation!
How about you? Where are you with the digital transformation of your communications? If you want to discuss your challenges with our experts, feel free to reach out.
