Now that the telework and hybrid models have definitely become the norm, it is crucial to address how we can sustain the productivity and efficiency in digital officesThe market has increasingly demonstrated the need to maintain some form of face-to-face presence.
Drawing on information from different sources, we have built this reflection around two fundamental pillars that also feed into each other: improving productivity in digital environments, and how to increase trust through more efficient communication.
Key strategies for improving productivity in the digital environment
Effective agenda management
According to Moebius Consulting, proper diary management is essential. Excessive and unproductive meetings can consume up to 70% of teams’ time, preventing concentrated work. The solution lies in establishing a culture of efficient meetings, where each professional spends one third of his or her time in meetings, one third on concentration work, and the rest on unplanned tasks.
We have all been in meetings and thought “this meeting could have been an email”. If we take into account the cost/hour per employee… Unnecessary meetings are an extra cost that is difficult for any company that wants to be competitive.
Individual programming and planning
Fragmented schedules and constant interruptions can cause to-do lists to grow longer. Professionals should develop planning skills, setting monthly and weekly targets, and prioritising tasks that require greater concentration. Constant updating of the to-do list is essential to avoid working on extraneous tasks, and so is the point of streamlining communications, which will be discussed later.
Digital skills development
Training, training and training. Learning as constant and continuous improvement, in the culture of the company, with the processes and, especially, with the employees. Lack of digital skills can be devastating in a hybrid work environment. Companies should assess and improve the digital skills of their employees, offering training in collaborative office automation and/or in the digital tools that are necessary in each case.
Communication and trust: pillars of teleworking
Smooth and effective communication
El País stresses the importance of fluid and effective communication. Using different communication channels for different types of messages and separating professional and personal channels is crucial. And, at Bookker, we couldn’t agree more.
In addition, training in communication and digital skills can improve the efficient use of these technologies and standardise solutions such as space management offered by our large clients.
Tools for control and trust in teams
It is important to balance the use of control tools with trust in teams. Excessive use of surveillance can be counterproductive. Instead, communication and understanding of the difficulties faced by employees should be encouraged. Fluid and close communication, in the end, the same as we said above. Almost everything is a matter of culture. And a strong corporate culture is not built on a memo, but on the actions of every person and every team, every day.
Defined timetables and hybrid system
Establishing a flexible base timetable, avoiding overburdening workers and being aware of their difficulties are best practices. In addition, a hybrid system combining face-to-face and remote working can be an effective solution to improve productivity. Uncontrolled working hours, or the mere feeling that they exist, can bring workers closer to burn-out, especially those who spend less time in the office and interact less with other colleagues.
Productivity and work-life balance in the hybrid model
Jean Piaget said that, deep down, all human activity, in one way or another, sought to achieve balance. In this case, too. Productivity and efficiency in a digital work environment require a combination of effective time management, communication and digital skills, trust in employees, and a balance between face-to-face and remote working. These strategies can help companies adapt to the challenges of working in the digital age while maintaining a high level of productivity and efficiency.
Balance, culture, cooperation, incentives and never stop learning. We are in dynamic environments that are changing faster and faster and adjusting productivity is a challenge. Let’s apply the story, and companies, customers and teams will notice the difference.