6 Training Tips To Manage A Hybrid Workplace
Hybrid workplace…It sounds big, but it means a workplace that best encompasses traditional & flexible work styles.
This isn’t a new concept, and companies are already embracing hybridization in various forms.
However, many others still struggle to find solid management techniques to improve their hybrid workforce management process.
This post will cover everything you need to know about managing a hybrid workforce from the ground up, including training, tips and tricks worth applying today.
1. Nurture a Purpose-Driven Culture
One of the first things you need to do is establish a purpose-driven culture.
We’ve all heard “Culture Fit” before, but what does it mean?
A purpose-driven culture is one where employees are motivated by their goals and objectives rather than just doing what they’re told.
This is achieved by aligning the company’s values and vision with your employees.
You can do this in many ways, but one way is by creating a team charter that outlines your company’s core values, principles, and mission. This will help employees understand what sets them apart from other organizations and why they should be working for you.
Once you clearly understand what makes your company special, it’s time to create an environment where employees feel valued and respected.
This can be achieved through regular communication throughout the organization so that everyone knows what is expected of them at all times.
2. Immerse New Hires into The Company’s Culture
As a manager, the most important thing you can do to support your employees’ success in a hybrid workplace is to invest in them. The easiest way is to immerse them in your company culture.
New hires are often the least-prepared people on your team. They have no idea what it’s like to work at your company or even where they will be working in the future.
A new hire’s first impressions of their workplace are based on the people they meet and the things they experience firsthand.
If you don’t take the time to show them what’s great about working at your company and ensure they know how much you value their contributions, then any potential problems will be magnified tenfold.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways for you to create an environment where new hires feel comfortable making contributions and being part of your team.
Here Are Some Tips for How to Get Started:
- Create a Welcome Packet.
- Offer Regular Training Sessions and Mentorship Opportunities.
- Invite New Hires Out with Your Team:
3. Empower Your Team With The Right Tools
Managing a hybrid workforce is not just about managing employees physically located at the office; it’s also about managing them remotely.
Technology has changed the way we work and live. A big part of this change is that more and more people are working remotely and collaborating on projects or work-related activities.
Remote computer access will allow your employees to establish a remote connection with the PC they are using in the office, and one in their home for seamless file transfer.
With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote PC access has taken increased importance. In addition, it empowers remote employees to provide accurate reports to managers at headquarters without worrying about everyone’s availability.
4. Don’t Spy on Your Employees to Ensure Productivity
It’s a common practice in many organizations to spy on their employees. This can take place in the form of monitoring emails and phone calls, tracking their whereabouts, and even tracking their social media posts.
While all these activities are meant to ensure productivity, they are also often used to find out about arguments within the team or even what employees are up to off-duty.
Spying on employees is a waste of time, energy, and resources. It also hurts employee morale. In many cases, it can create an environment where employees feel like they are being watched all the time.
And when that happens, they tend to become less productive because they don’t want to get caught doing something wrong.
If you have an open-concept office space, try not to do this kind of monitoring at work!
5. Foster a Culture of Recognition
One way to foster a culture of recognition is by creating a rewards and recognition program. In addition to cash bonuses, companies can offer employee perks or other incentives.
For example, some companies provide free food or drinks as part of their rewards program. These incentives are often used to encourage employees to speak up about issues that they feel strongly about.
Recognition is also an effective way to encourage teamwork among your team members. Creating a culture where everyone recognizes their contributions can inspire employees to work together towards common goals.
A great way to foster this kind of culture is having regular team meetings where everyone comes together and talks about their accomplishments in the past week or month.
These meetings can be held at different times throughout the day so that everyone can attend them without feeling rushed or pressured into participating to receive their reward.
6. You Need To Rethink Meetings
The best way to improve your team’s communication in a hybrid workplace is to rethink how you manage meetings. Don’t rely on email to schedule, organize, and send out your team’s meeting agendas.
Instead, use a tool like Google Docs or Slack to create your agenda and share it with your team. This will ensure everyone has access to the same information and can contribute ideas before the meeting begins.
It also eliminates the need for email threads buried under a mountain of other emails. You know this can be difficult to find later.
Winding Up Thoughts
No matter the size of your firm, you should have a hybrid workforce management strategy in place. The days when companies organized into office-wide units are long gone.
It’s more important than ever to be equipped with the right tools to make the best use of competing resources. And if you want to reap the benefits, prepare for the necessary changes in how you manage your “workforce.”
In case I missed something related to managing a remote or hybrid workforce, feel free to share.
