With the onset of the global pandemic, the workplace experienced seismic shifts, accelerating trends around remote working and urging businesses to rethink and recalibrate their communication strategies.

As we traverse further into this altered landscape, organisations are keenly exploring avenues to bridge the spatial gaps while keeping the spirit of collaboration and engagement alive.

In this context, let’s delve deeper into the nuances of contemporary business communications, the emerging patterns of hybrid work, and how innovative converged communications solutions such as those delivered by Microsoft can potentially redefine the spheres of corporate interaction and engagement.

The New Face of Business Communication

Effective communication is at the core of a thriving business, an element that has transcended traditional boundaries to become multifaceted and technologically advanced. In the current world of work, business communications are no longer confined to boardroom discussions and linear chains of emails.

Modern business communications encompass a realm that facilitates instantaneous interactions, real-time collaborations, and seamless integrations of various communication channels.

The need for adaptive, intuitive, and secure communication solutions grows as the lines between professional and personal spaces blur.

Enterprises are shifting their focus towards creating communications platforms that facilitate seamless communications and harbour innovation and productivity.

The landscape is ripe for solutions that integrate effortlessly with existing ecosystems, providing an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and growth.

Navigating the Hybrid Work Phenomenon

Undoubtedly, one of the defining elements of the current business environment is the emergence and steady rise of the hybrid work model.

The hybrid work paradigm, a fusion of remote and office-based work, has created unique challenges and opportunities.

The decentralised nature of hybrid work demands solutions that can streamline communication and enhance the collaborative efforts of geographically dispersed teams.

It’s a world where communication – the phone – needs to follow the employee so that the customer isn’t even aware they are not sitting in the office.

Organisations are steering towards creating inclusive work environments where technology acts as a unifier, bringing together individuals and teams, facilitating shared experiences, and fostering a culture of mutual growth and learning.

Within this, the hybrid work model is here to stay, as it encapsulates the essence of flexibility, diversity, and inclusiveness, elements that the modern workforce cherishes and the next-generation demand, which puts pressure on communications solutions to meet all these needs.

Moreover, hybrid work has amplified the importance of maintaining a balance between connectivity and autonomy, urging organisations to adopt solutions capable of nurturing connections yet not impinging on the individual spaces of employees.

This shift necessitates integrating robust, flexible solutions that can adapt to the dynamic nature of hybrid work environments.

A Forerunner in Business Communication Solutions

In this new era of business communications, solutions like Microsoft’s Converged Communications solutions they offer through partners like Ribbon Connect emerge as a tool that promises to bridge gaps and foster connections.

These tools must promote seamless integration capabilities and advanced voice services and push the changes needed in how enterprises communicate in the hybrid work era.

For example, virtual meetings have become a staple, and the importance of clear, reliable voice communication cannot be understated.

Communication solutions must deliver crystal-clear voice quality, simulate face-to-face interaction, and make virtual communications more personal and engaging.

This subtle enhancement can transform business communications and foster natural and productive conversations that pave the way for innovation and collaboration.

A business’s ability to facilitate global communications is imperative. An example is using a solution like Microsoft, when combined with Ribbon, to deliver seamless global connectivity without the limitations of poor call quality or excessive costs.

This feature is particularly beneficial in nurturing relationships with international clients and partners, facilitating smooth and hassle-free communications that can foster long-term partnerships and business growth.

Harnessing the Power of Analytics and Integration

In today’s data-driven world, the ability to harness insights from communication patterns can be a powerful tool in optimising business strategies.

Effective communications solutions deliver analytics capabilities that enable organisations to delve deeper into communication trends, usage patterns, and performance indicators.

These insights can be crucial in enhancing communication strategies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation.

But all of this requires effective integration, and we know that communication platforms often come with challenges pertaining to deployment and integration.

Interoperable solutions with leaders in communications like Microsoft are worth their weight in gold as they strip away the need for complex and time-consuming setups.

As a distributor, we work with partners like Microsoft to define the best and most appropriate solutions for our clients.

In this instance, Microsoft’s Converged Communications offerings give our resellers a solution that embodies the essence of modern business communication solutions, providing a secure, reliable, and adaptable platform. Which is ultimately precisely what users are looking for.

It also understands the unique challenges posed by the hybrid work model. In the instance of Microsoft’s partnership with Ribbon, as an example, it offers features that can integrate seamlessly with platforms like Microsoft Teams, a symbiotic relationship that amplifies the capabilities of existing communication channels, making them more robust and versatile.

Wrapped Up in Microsoft with a Ribbon

As enterprises navigate the complex terrains of the hybrid work environment, adopting robust converged communications solutions act as a catalyst in fostering connectivity, collaboration, and innovation.

It heralds a future where distance is no longer a barrier, teams can collaborate effortlessly, transcending geographical boundaries, and communication becomes the cornerstone of business success.

[Featured Image Credit]

A report by Gartner shows a sizeable 51% of US knowledge workers are projected to work ‘hybrid’ and 20% to work fully remotely in 2023.

Just as a Phillips Consulting (PCL) study reveals how Nigerian executives considered culture as one of the top factors to consider in their business strategy, moving from a 17% focus pre-COVID to a 44% focus in some cases to align with the future of work. 

Notably, these new dynamics signal new trajectories for security teams, as business protection is now more demanding because the path has become doubtful.

To mitigate this, emphasis must be on protecting endpoints – PCs and printers; the ‘focal point’ of most attacks. Thus, to detect, prevent, and control cyber threats, new cybersecurity strategies are required; to dispel the threats associated with lost or stolen devices by boosting remote PC management.  

Mitigating security slips  

It’s clear that 82% of security experts adopting a hybrid work model have slip-ups in their organization’s security architecture, a new research and a hybrid security report from HP Wolf Security reveals. The epicenter of the hybrid worker’s world is the endpoint.  

In fact, 84% of security experts agree that endpoint is where the most enterprise-damaging cyber-threats occur, and it’s the root of most security threats – be it a PC, smartphone, laptop, tablet, or complementary peripherals like printers. For malicious attackers, these devices can be a target entry point. 

Nonetheless, local networks may be compromised and misconfigured. But truly, endpoints are the link bridging unprotected technologies and imperfect users.

When devices are not provided with requisite routine enterprise protection, hybrid work models suffer and negatively affect productivity.

Significantly, machines and employees working remotely are likely to be without appreciable protection and left vulnerable. 

Furthermore, some employees who are confined to their comfort zone without assistance of knowledgeable coworkers makes them more prone to either opening an attachment containing malware or clicking on a risky link.

Employees likewise work in cafes, restaurants, and airports, and perhaps even living the digital nomad lifestyle abroad; they aren’t just working from home (WFH).

Actually, two-thirds (66%ⁱ) of security leaders and IT experts consequently concluded that the most pronounced cybersecurity weakness in their organization is the possibility for hybrid employees to be compromised – phishing, ransomware, and attacks via unsafe home networks are also cited as top enterprise risks. 

Forward-thinking organizations now seem focused on fine investment in securing hybrid work, with a commendable four-fifths i.e., 82% of security leaders increasing budgets threshold specifically for hybrid workers, and 71%of these leaders expect this focus to increase further in 2023. Yet, the impact of their budget must be targeted at the appropriate tools with a concentration on positioning the endpoint front and center of any hybrid security strategy.  

Leaving no stone unturned  

An improved remote management of devices, despite its attendant complexities, is most necessary as most major considerations for the IT and security teams, in this hybrid age.

Also, 70%ⁱ of security experts conclude that the risk of lost or stolen devices is prevalent in hybrid work. This triggers the question – when remote machines are powered down or offline, what happens?

Locating or safeguarding data on these devices could be tasking, and substantially risky if they either contain confidential trade secrets, personally identifiable information (PII), or intellectual property (IP). The reality here is that Cloud Technologies have helped to reduce the workload here, but they’re not 100% effective.  

Human-error risk tendency is rife with itinerant workers always on the move; same way there will always be unethical hackers lurking around for susceptible devices they can attack. This trend raises risks, exclusively in highly regulated sectors like government – where a lost or stolen laptop could mean a national security risk.  

Connecting with a fresh approach 

In Nigeria, an emerging economy, institutions are gradually deepening hybrid work models via infrastructure investments despite challenges of electricity, network coverage, low bandwidth, and affordability.

HP has also been working on designing a model of IT management connectivity solution hence, the new HP Wolf Connect service now enables IT to manage devices even when powered down or offline.  

So, for IT managers, what can they do to mitigate these concerns? Step one is to find a fresh approach to link remote computers over cellular networks. This implies that devices can be controlled even when turned off or offline.

Fundamentally, such functionality could be deployed to connect with lost or stolen devices and then lock and wipe them. This approach will not only lower the risk of data leaks and violations, but it can also moderate IT expenses by cutting cases of PC replacement or remediation.

A stronger and secure connection to remote computers also reduces the time and effort required to resolve support tickets.

Teams can precisely report where and when devices went missing, and how long it took to lock or erase them. Now, that’s a fresh approach to security. 

About 80% of institutions laid claims to have deployed numerous tools and policies to protect hybrid working staff. However, what’s vital now is that these tools and policies require a paradigm shift from old perimeter-focused thinking. Once again, endpoint must become the focus for applying protection in the hybrid age.

Accepting hardware-enforced security features and protection above, in, and below the OS – such as application isolation – will be strategic for protecting end-users without impacting on the freedoms that hybrid work admits. 

This model should be part of an approach to hybrid workplace security that takes into consideration the distinct threats and contextual challenges that are more common with flexible working. 

Incidentally, about two-thirds, representing 61% of corporations and leaders, are saying that protection of their hybrid workforce will be harder moving forward. This doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. Enhanced remote management and the adoption of hardware-enforced security, can help businesses unleash end-user productivity without alluring extra cyber risks.  

Consequently, businesses should upgrade to a hybrid work model, at a time when sustainable growth is strategically significant to all organizations, bearing a fine blend of tech tools and motivated people to optimize lasting productivity. This is the future of work.

They are now firmly embedded models in the employment landscape, and potential deal-breakers for many of South Africa’s top talent when it comes to applying for jobs. 

We’re living in interesting times. Many businesses have now been back to work with their new models in place for several months and Pnet’s latest data reveals how this is playing out. The South African job market is showing a growing number of remote work opportunities, with remote job offers more than tripling since the first quarter of 2021. And since March 2020, remote job opportunities have grown more than 22 times! Year-on-year, remote working opportunities have increased by 160% – so it’s safe to say that remote work is here to stay!

While remote/hybrid work can be seen as a great risk, it also presents a great opportunity for organisations of all sizes.

Despite all the lockdown and social distancing restrictions having been lifted, the fact is that many businesses have already invested in remote working technology to attract top talent and reduce office overhead costs.

This is another reason why remote work is unlikely to disappear from the employment landscape any time soon.

It does appear, however, that certain professions seem to provide more remote employment opportunities than others. In South Africa, the roles with the most remote job opportunities are currently Information Technology, Business & Management and Admin, Office & Support. Our data reveals that South Africa is currently experiencing a skills shortage, particularly in sectors such as Information Technology.

Candidates in very high demand are more likely to demand remote/hybrid working opportunities, so the employee value proposition needs to adapt to accommodate these expectations.

Employers will be better equipped to attract and retain top talent if they design work that is not only flexible in terms of geographic location, but also in terms of maintaining and growing company culture in the new world of work.

Remote/hybrid work is not possible for all roles, however, and this could negatively impact diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

One of the biggest challenges companies will face in the remote/hybrid structure will be creating a work experience that is fair and equal for all employees – regardless of where they are situated.

Employers who fail to treat remote employees fairly will risk reputational damage that may affect their brand and bottom line as well as their recruitment efforts.

It is therefore crucial to alleviate bias by providing managers (especially hiring managers!) with formal training to help them understand and overcome their unconscious biases.

It’s also a good idea to offer some degree of flexibility for both office-based and remote/hybrid employees.

If you enable in-office employees to choose their preferred office hours, you are less likely to spend time wondering about the productivity levels of the staff who work from home.

At the end of the day, a successful remote/hybrid structure requires a new way of thinking as an employer. At the very least, you’ll need to review your current EVP and HR strategy.

Many employees have had a taste of flexibility over the past two years and companies that keep this going – at least to some degree – are more likely to attract and retain quality candidates.

As organisations, business leaders and employees grapple with new norms, processes and ways of collaborating, Maggie Weber, Design Director at Tétris Design and Build South Africa, says it’s time to move beyond the hype of hybrid to sustainable workplace strategies and design principles that help companies nurture and keep the talent and skilled people they need to perform.

“We are talking to clients about what their options are, how best to refurbish or retrofit their premises to make them healthier and more welcoming to employees, and also how to make workplaces more sustainable and ESG compliant,” notes Weber.

She says conversations now centre on creating spaces that accommodate different needs and different work styles thanks to fluid occupancy levels as people work from home for parts of the week.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but what is constant is the need to understand the needs of employees and what they require to be happier and more productive. Once you have that understanding in place, designing, and building a workspace that positively contributes to creating the desired company culture sidesteps any hype. What becomes more important is; does it work for the needs of that particular organisation and its employees, irrespective of whether their work cycle supports four-day weeks, full-day weeks or two-day weeks?”

Weber says some real estate sectors are now starting to see signs of a demand recovery, which comes with its own set of risks and opportunities. Pandemic restrictions continue to ease while current economic headwinds are becoming the catalyst for a push to pre-pandemic levels of activity. “Leading South African organisations have begun to understand that their transformation to hybrid will be a longer-term journey in the continued evolution of the future of work. The office isn’t going anywhere, but it does have to adapt so that employee experience and wellbeing is at the forefront.”

According to research conducted by JLL, the internationally renowned holding company of Tétris South Africa, 73% of employees aspire to work at organisations that promote a healthy lifestyle, safety, and wellbeing.

“Talented, skilled employees expect more from their workplaces than they did two years ago. High-performing workers are looking for ways to connect, collaborate and network in meaningful ways when they are at work. How companies respond to this has long-term implications for organisational competitiveness and success. The challenge of creating the right hybrid workspace and culture is a challenge worth engaging in,” Weber explains. 

She says workplaces, the employer/employee relationship, and workplace design are all being redefined before our eyes.

“A hybrid model, whatever unique shape that takes for individual businesses can be a win-win situation for organisations who stand to benefit from a more productive workforce, and for employees who are inspired to perform at their best through a healthier, more fulfilling working life,” she added.