Engaging a maturing hybrid workforce with Cian Zoller, Senior Director, HR, ServiceNow
The rise of hybrid work models has fundamentally changed the way organizations operate. As businesses adapt to the evolving needs of their workforce, technology plays a crucial role in enabling a seamless and productive experience for both office and remote workers.
Challenges of Hybrid Work
One of the primary challenges of hybrid work is balancing the need for in-person collaboration with employee preference for remote work. As Cian Zoller, Senior Director, HR Business Partner for APAC at ServiceNow, noted, one of the biggest challenges of hybrid work is to balance experience and productivity.
For Cian, companies need to convince employees that coming into the office is worthwhile by demonstrating how they can be equally productive, if not more so, compared to working from home. Many employees complain about being less productive in the office, so we must provide technological solutions to counteract this perception.
Organizations must find ways to maintain a strong company culture and foster effective teamwork while accommodating diverse workstyles. Additionally, ensuring a seamless and productive experience for both office and remote workers can be complex, requiring careful consideration of technology infrastructure, communication tools, and policies.
Technology Solutions for Hybrid Work
Technology offers numerous solutions to address the challenges of hybrid work. Implementing a central portal can simplify access to information and resources, reducing the need for employees to navigate multiple systems. As Cian observed, "Technology is ultimately the biggest enabler to employee experience moving forward." AI-powered chatbots can provide natural language understanding and personalized experiences, making it easier for employees to find answers to their questions and complete tasks.
Automating tasks like capacity planning and workplace services can free up HR teams to focus on more strategic initiatives. AI can also facilitate information sharing and collaboration across time zones, breaking down barriers and enabling effective teamwork.
The Future of Hybrid Work Technology
The future of hybrid work technology is promising. Low-code/no-code platforms are enabling organizations to rapidly develop and deploy solutions, empowering employees to create custom tools and processes. As Cian Zoller stated, "The pace of change is now so radical and so crazy." AI is evolving from a concierge service to taking action and making decisions, further automating tasks and improving efficiency.
Optimizing workplace utilization based on real-time data and environmental considerations is another emerging trend. By understanding when and where employees are most likely to work, organizations can reduce costs and improve sustainability.
Conclusion
As hybrid work continues to evolve, organizations that embrace technology will be better positioned to succeed. By leveraging technology to address the challenges of hybrid work and optimize the employee experience, businesses can create a more productive, engaging, and sustainable workplace. As Cian* emphasized, "It's the organizations that are thinking about that. It's the organizations that are looking at technology as being essential to the employee experience."