In the Middle East, the rising desire for increased autonomy in the workplace is identified as a primary factor motivating employees to seek alternative employment opportunities, according to the survey. Interestingly, 55 per cent of millennials, 54 per cent of Gen X, and 48 per cent of Gen Z respondents state that they can choose how they do their work in a way that suits them. Our own Logitech Meeting Equity also revealed that 55 per cent of UAE and 52 per cent of Saudi Arabian white-collar workers would prefer to work either in a hybrid or a fully remote work arrangement.
Co-creating a hybrid approach with the needs of employees at its core
Rather than making ad-hoc decisions with questionable outcomes, businesses should co-create their hybrid work strategy with employee feedback and develop a methodical program, one that creates momentum over time and demonstrates visionary leadership. This will be an evolutionary process in which stakeholders understand why employees choose to work from home and why they go to the office.
For Logitech, an effective hybrid balance is imperative to the work we do, given that the biggest obstacle for people coming to the office is their commute. We need to continuously ask ourselves, “How can we earn their commute today?” Some days we will and other days we won’t. And that’s ok. After all, we make technology that enables the hybrid world. But how can any company make its employees’ commute truly worth it?
Designing the human-centric and technology-infused workplace of tomorrow
There is a pressing need for a complete overhaul of how businesses perceive and program space. A human-centered design approach serves as the basis for creating physical spaces that can promote culture, innovation, productivity, comfort, and fun. Businesses should begin with technology and then design space around it. Function comes first, form second. Thus, in our hybrid work reality, cutting-edge video collaboration solutions must take center stage. Products like the Logitech Rally Bars, Logitech Sight, Logi Dock Flex, Logitech Tap, Scribe, and LogiTune offer employees an outstanding user experience and, in the case of meeting room technology, they provide something they don’t get at home.
Imagine a place where, when you walk in the front door, you immediately feel the good vibes. A place where you exhale and smile. One where it’s easy to stumble across colleagues. An experience where you make yourself a latte and run into a teammate who needs your input, immediately engage in conversation, and solve that problem. No scheduling. No canceling. No back and forth. It’s here and now. One and done. Imagine spaces that deliver unwritten behavioral cues because they are fit for purpose. Walking around the office, different spaces have different natural noise and focus levels. In between spaces where you can perch and get work done in between meetings. Long gone are the days where we plop down at a desk and work all day with headphones on.
The value of the hybrid office becomes obvious in all the spaces where employees come together. In fact, the heart of a hybrid office resembles a town square. It’s the place to see and be seen. It’s a place to socialise, network, meet for 1:1’s, monthly check-ins, and informal conversations. It’s also a place to work for those that like the background noise of a café-like atmosphere. Most of all, these spaces are where a company’s culture thrives and its center of gravity emanates.
Future ways of working require a new workplace philosophy with seamless connection to the world. So, the next time your employees need to innovate, collaborate, or problem solve, get ready to effectively support them with the right video conferencing technology, in the right sized room, available exactly when they need it. From boardrooms to hot desks to huddle spaces, Logitech has got you covered.
