Is simpler technology the key to successful hybrid working?

With 80 per cent of businesses keen for more straightforward collaboration, today’s video conferencing tools may be a barrier to effective team-working

The hybrid working debate provokes strong opinions. But the emerging consensus is that allowing people to work more frequently from home, while still regularly visiting the office, will offer the best balance for businesses and employees alike.

There’s also a consensus that video collaboration solutions will be critical to creating a hybrid-friendly working culture. After all, video kept the global economy turning during the pandemic, and experts predict that investment in video conferencing will grow significantly as businesses increasingly see hybrid working as an important strategic initiative. It can reduce both cost (office rent, desk space, business travel) and the carbon footprint of the organisation.

One solution fits all?

Outside the IT community, relatively little consideration is given to the differences between video collaboration platforms. Attention tends to focus on the (admittedly crucially important) areas of security, reliability and compliance. But what about the user experience? Can the choice of platform really exert a big impact on people’s job satisfaction and therefore an organisation’s productivity?

I passionately believe that it can. Why? Because people’s mental well-being has a big impact on their productivity, and I’m convinced that people are happiest and most productive at work when they are completely and effortlessly connected.

[1] Censuswide survey, May 2021. Results are based on responses from 1,010 business users in the UK, of a leading video collaboration platform.