The hybrid workforce has been shaking up the business status quo over the past couple of years, especially when it comes to the tools we use for work. 

Increasing user-centricity and capabilities of yet another tech update of our smartphones, tablets and personal laptops, combined with increased use of personal devices for work, have significantly impacted expectations employees have from their work environments.

Naturally, customer expectations have changed as well – as our customers have been served differently in the past couple of years businesses need to think twice before reverting to the pre-pandemic customer engagement methods. 

According to the results from our Digital Employee Experience research, 74% of employees claim to be more productive now than before the pandemic and only 13% prefer working exclusively in the office. 

Yet, 56% of C-level think employees need to be in the office to be productive. 

As the pandemic begins to settle and upper management feels inclined to bring employees back to the office, it’s important to rethink the workforce’s new expectations from their work environments.

The modern business landscape requires a fundamental change, specifically in strengthening their IT operations and security, improving workplace culture and designing work environments that allow for flexibility and adaptability across their hybrid teams.

A personalised work experience and a shift in culture

As organisations continue to expand hybrid work environments, it’s not just enough to try and recreate face-to-face interactions. We must deploy a digital-first mindset when developing these workspaces and drive stronger focus on workplace culture. 

After all, the popularity of the Everywhere Workplace comes from its hyper-personalisation.

From working off devices they feel comfortable with, taking a call from the garden on a sunny day to adjusting their desk however they see fit - this level of customisation has offered employees individual environments to reach new productivity levels.

Takeaways from our Everywhere Roadshow

These unique working environments are almost impossible to replicate on-site, which is why adaptability and flexibility are a must to drive positive employee experiences. During our recent Ivanti Everywhere Roadshow in London, our discussion panel honed onto the employee and customer experience in higher education.

One of the areas that was pointed out was how the tolerance of employees and students has changed significantly. Several years ago, if you received a laptop that wasn’t working up to your standards, you may receive a new device with the same problems or you just had to go along with what you had.

But today, people are deciding where they want to work based on the technology they use – people don’t want to work for a company or attend a school where technology is a hindrance rather than an advantage.

In case of the higher education, for example, universities had to improvise when it came to delivering services to their students, but now they need to change how they design and develop the service and the curriculum from the get-go to meet these new expectations.

These shifts, however, also require a change in workplace culture. With only 25% of CXOs viewing workplace culture as their top internal priority and only 20% assigning budgets to improve it, it’s critical that the conversation makes its way back to the boardroom.

Shifting to an Everywhere Workplace is not just about technological changes – shifts in workplace culture are just as important in the process. 

Even though business leadership is in charge of driving cultural changes, it’s IT that owns the information and technology in the organisation. Therefore, a constant collaboration with IT is key to integrating people, processes and technology. 

Prioritising IT teams 

The shift to hybrid and remote work has increased the workload of IT teams. They are no longer an afterthought, rather a key contributor in how businesses can function in the Everywhere Workplace. 

Making sure they have the right resources, tools and prioritisation is paramount in shifting workplace culture.

The increasing volume and complexity of devices used and distributed across hybrid teams has significantly impacted IT estate visibility and security, putting a greater emphasis on employee interaction with their devices and IT support. 

Our recent research shows frustrations with technology have been a key contributor to dissatisfaction among employees:

  • 50% of responders have considered quitting their job partly due to the technology applications and tools currently available to them. 
  • 49% find the tools and technology provided by their organisation frustrating
  • Over two-thirds of employees believe they would be more productive with better technology at their disposal.
  • Over two-thirds of knowledge workers have spent their own money on technology to get their work done. 
  • 41% of knowledge workers claim they have a harder time getting support for tech issues.

This growing demand for support means IT teams are at the forefront of innovation in the workplace. A change in IT services is an essential part needed to improve productivity and employee experience in this new frontier of the Everywhere Workplace. 

Explore more of our survey findings in the research report!