Given the ongoing evolution in the digital technology realm, it is now unmistakably clear that the upcoming significant frontier, reshaping employee convenience and enhancing workplace productivity, cannot be confined to the traditional office space anymore.
A workspace can literally exist anywhere. And this will not necessarily alter the way you communicate and engage with your teams, provided you are well-prepared with the right tools (and mindset).
According to a WHY Magazine report, it is said that Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg famously does not have a closed office space but he instead works in an open workspace with other employees; same as Jack Dorsey of Square, Gilt Groupe’s Michelle Peluso, and Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson among other chief executives who have joined the office-less class of contemporary business executives.
Hence, it is critical, at this juncture, to understand why institutions spanning various sectors, from digital technology, real estate, finance, fintech, telecommunications, integrated media, to tourism, and travel, are transitioning from traditional work arrangements to flexible models where ‘the home office’ is considered a non-negotiable option.
An International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) International Labour Office 2022, report titled ‘The Next Normal: The changing workplace in Nigeria’, shows that in Nigeria, the majority of organisations (56 per cent) would adopt a hybrid business model with a mixture of in-premises and remote work.
Speaking on it, country head, HP Nigeria, Emmanuel Asika, stated that “today, status and efficient output indicators have drifted more from just physical offices to resource, aptitude and capabilities driven profiles i.e., employees who effectively deliver work remotely.
“This is supported by Gensler’s 2022 U.S. Workplace Survey of 2,000 U.S. workers which shows that the most important reason to come into the office is ‘to focus on my work’. Invariably, this is an assessment of the quality of resources that the office offers the staff for the ability to aid co-workers’ output and organisation’s eventual profitability.”
According to him, the report also shows that today the proportion of workers using unassigned workspace has doubled since pre-pandemic to 19 per cent, whilst many engage in some form of hybrid work.
“Since technological innovation and work processes are almost like inseparable Siamese twins, this is where the ‘corner office’ is very significant. To set up and own one for seamless delivery, the most important consideration is to procure products that will help you optimize your limited space, manage time, and ultimately enhance your experience.”
Asika added that “with an HP computer, coupled with a supplementary device like Poly Voyager Free 60 series wireless earbuds to minimize background noise and eliminate distractions at home and good lighting you will look your best on video calls no matter where you are joining the conversation from.
“Interestingly, if you are alternating location between office and your ‘home office’, you should equip yourself with a sophisticated laptop like the HP Dragonfly Pro, which is appreciably light to carry around effortlessly without straining your shoulder. It makes you look and sound great on video calls regardless of your location.”
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