In-Office Work is Losing Steam

December 4, 2023

Remote work has changed the way that businesses approach normal operations. Due in large part to the disruptions of the past couple of years, remote work has become a staple of the business environment, and while you might hear stories of businesses pushing hard to return to the workplace, the reality is that they are the exception rather than the norm.

In fact, statistics show that a hybrid workplace is becoming more and more popular with businesses, and they are adopting policies that will help them offer these scheduling practices to their employees.

Most Companies Aren’t Pushing Super Hard for a Return to the Office

You might see companies like Goldman Sachs or Tesla claim that these efforts are a way to force out employees who are not working hard enough, but really, this issue is not as large as it might seem to be.

The opposite of this is true; companies are looking for ways to make hybrid work a reality for their employees, and they are succeeding. In a report by Prithwiraj Choudhury, one of the associate professors at Harvard Business School, approximately 30 percent of United States workdays are completed remotely and office occupancy has hovered at half.

This does not look like a requirement of in-office work.

Use Hybrid Operations to Your Business’ Benefit

Hybrid presents several great opportunities and benefits for businesses. Employees also find it helpful; it turns out that having more flexibility than your traditional office environment is a powerful recruitment motivator. This is assuming that hybrid work fits into your workplace’s established operational workflow, and regardless, you’ll have to figure out who is working in the office and on what days.

The biggest benefit of hybrid work for most employees is going to be flexibility, so you’ll need technology to ensure that everyone can follow through on their workplace responsibilities as easily as possible. Therefore, the flexibility and technology you need to allow for this flexibility will be a major bargaining chip to get the most highly qualified candidates.

We’ll Help You Improve Your Business Technology

First Column IT can help your business implement the best technology for a hybrid office environment. To learn more, call us at (571) 470-5594.

Paying Attention to Your Cybersecurity Is Just Good Risk Management

Small businesses have plenty of problems as it is without the added stress that poor security practices can bring about. Small businesses often overlook security because they deem themselves too small to be of any value to a hacker, but this outlook is short-sighted and irresponsible at best. Let’s go over why you’ll need to make security a priority for your business.

February 3, 2023

What Can You Gain from AI?

AI is a major topic lately, whether it’s on the topic of new and upcoming chatbots that are capable of generating text or making art that can compete with even the most skilled of artists. AI is commonly targeted as a culprit in stealing jobs, as well, and with these applications becoming more sophisticated over time, it’s no wonder people aren’t sure how to react to these developments.

February 1, 2023

3 Factors You Need to Consider Before You Upgrade

If you consistently find that technology in your office causes more problems than it’s worth, perhaps it’s time to take a closer look at what you could be doing better with your infrastructure. We want you to look at failing or inoperable/inefficient technology as an opportunity for improvement rather than another large expense. A good hardware refresh centered around your organization’s needs can revitalize operations and improve your bottom line.

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