How To Effectively Implement A Hybrid Workplace

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With the arrival of the year 2021, one of the primary concerns for businesses of all sizes is how to effectively implement a hybrid workplace. While some employees embrace returning to the office, others are still working from home, and this workforce split is creating some challenges in collaboration. The most common challenges can be addressed by implementing a hybrid workplace in which both in-person and remote employees are able to continue collaborating and contributing to a company’s success.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

The Essential Elements of a Hybrid Work Environment

When it comes to the essential elements of making a hybrid work environment successful, some are largely intangible. Aside from the obvious action of creating effective in-office and at-home workspaces for employees, other considerations to incorporate are ways to:

• Create more freedom and flexibility for employees
• Inspire employee productivity
• Keep up company and employee morale
• Set and meet company goals

The way a company sets up a hybrid work environment should directly complement each of these goals in order to achieve sustainability.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

How to Effectively Implement a Hybrid Workplace

To effectively implement a hybrid workplace, there must be a balance between those working in office and those working from beyond the office. As an employer, it is crucial to give both of these groups what they need to do their job and do it well. For those that are in-person, it may be helpful to see what tools they require to foster interaction, engagement, and productivity with their remote colleagues. This type of solution may include a special audiovisual conferencing solution and camera. In other instances, this group may benefit from some of the same tools as remote individuals, such as headsets that suppress ambient noise and enhance effective communication. Individuals working remotely may have some overlap with in person employees such as a need for a laptop or point-tilt-zoom camera. However, some demands will differ with one of the primary ones being access to a high-quality internet connection. This may mean securing a higher bandwidth for better speed and interactivity with cloud-based services. Consider if this is something you want to provide as an employer or if a stipend might be more appropriate. An often overlooked group when considering how to effectively implement a hybrid workplace is the information technology or IT department. While this group of people likely already have a working knowledge of some of the tools and practices needed for an effective hybrid workplace, working with a reputable AV integrator can ensure each department has everything they need to be successful.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Products Helpful in Implementing Hybrid Workplaces

Perhaps the most critical factor in ensuring a hybrid workplace is a success is making sure that both in-person and remote employees are properly equipped. Some of the products AV integrators are implementing to achieve this balance include:

• Barco ClickShare: From this line, ClickShare Conference is instrumental in enabling wireless presentations for individuals who are in person or remote. This system is designed to work in a variety of spaces, including large spaces like a boardroom to smaller spaces such as huddle rooms. This is a popular option among companies for its simplicity and versatility.
• Cameras from Logitech, Poly, Aver, Vaddio, and Lumens: One of the keys for connecting individuals that are in person and remote for a shared immersive experience is a quality camera. These cameras come in a variety of sizes and shapes that allow them to work well with laptops and desktop computers alike. The PTZ (or pan-tilt-zoom) camera is popular for smart conferencing rooms as they feature face recognition and framing functionality, which enables the camera to focus on the person speaking even if they are not sitting or standing still.
• Biamp’s CrowdMics: This product can be a useful tool in collaboration by allowing in person and remote individuals to clearly communicate and participate in polls via a smartphone. It enables users that are connected to CrowdMics to broadcast their voice over the public address system as approved by the meeting host. This product also offers a feature that allows users to communicate via text if they prefer not to communicate orally. With CrowdMics, both in person and remote individuals get to communicate together in real time.
• LumeCube: This device is designed to provide a cost-effective and compact option for video streaming, video broadcasting, and video conferencing. It helps to enhance lighting via a softening diffuser that helps to eliminate shadows. The product comes in a variety of models so it can be used on a laptop, computer monitor, or even a tripod. The LumeCube has the capacity to run for fourteen hours straight after it has been fully charged.
• Mersive Solstice: This line of conferencing solutions has positive reviews for user-friendliness and performance in a hybrid workplace. Rather than reinventing the wheel, Mersive products utilize a company’s existing network and AV system to facilitate in person and remote collaboration. This line is popular for its ability to support multiple 4k video streams simultaneously.
• Poly Headsets: In person and remote individuals alike can benefit from the enhanced audio quality a Poly Headset provides. This product is geared toward the person who spends much of their workday video conferencing or telecommuting. It is designed to suppress ambient noise and improve effective communication. This headset can be used with most workflow systems such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Ring Central, and GoTo.
• WolfVision Cynap: The Cynap, Pure Pro, and Core Pro have been developed to provide collaboration technology that is useful in both remote and in-person meetings. This technology allows attendees to connect wirelessly with a variety of devices. It features numerous built-in conferencing, annotating and screen mirroring capabilities without apps, cables or dongles complicating the process.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]If your company is trying to figure out how to effectively implement a hybrid workplace, a great place to start is by establishing goals, plans, and products that can help you achieve success, and a reputable AV integrator can help every step of the way.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]