The forward-thinking model that goes beyond hybrid working
Many businesses now offer fluid working opportunities to their employees. For one point of context, over one-third of employees (38%) of the UK workforce has worked remotely within the past week, and although this is a good step in the right direction, we need to push further to ensure employee satisfaction. Fluid working has begun to take shape—but it’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
It’s all about flexibility. To work fluidly is to not being fixed to a certain place or time. But for fluid working to be effective, the right technology is essential. Having an ecosystem that works together effortlessly across devices and back again ensures you can work as efficiently as possible in any setting.
Though we may not all opt to take calls in the middle of London Zoo, the entire point of fluid working is that if you want to take a conference call next to a lion, or on a Ferris wheel, or in a food court, or canal boat, you can.
So, what is ‘fluid working?’ it is giving the employee the ability to have a flexible working format, whether from home, in the office, or any other location. This new-age work pattern actively encourages communication within and across departments, and facilitate productivity, by allowing employees to work anywhere, supporting a more even work-life balance.
There are multiple significant benefits of a fluid working culture: Firstly, it makes employees happier. One study by YouGov & Microsoft showing that 56% of the cohort surveyed reported an uptick in their happiness levels when they work from home. We see a more personal side of our colleagues – from homely backgrounds and pets to comfy clothing. This notion of a shared intimacy creates a stronger camaraderie between coworkers.
Also, it makes ‘deep work’ easier. ‘Deep work’ is considered as “professional activity performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit. These efforts create new value, improve your skill, and are hard to replicate.” Offices can be full of distractions and productivity can be boosted by an individual stepping out of the office to improve focus on the project they are working on. Your device shouldn’t get in the way of you entering a ‘deep work’ state. Samsung Galaxy Books have Wi-Fi6E built-in, letting you access the ultra-fast data speeds of the 6GHz band. For tricky no Wi-Fi areas, some Galaxy Books also come with the option to have 4G LTE connectivity—for when there is no Wi-Fi.
Additionally, fluid working allows employers’ talent pools to widen. This is because, as businesses enable employees to work from anywhere allows businesses to hire people from a wider location span. This means that a broader pool of talent is available to the hiring company. When your computer, phone, and tablet are all connected, there are major productivity benefits to this connected ecosystem. You no longer have the need to jump from working on your Galaxy Z Fold4 phone to your laptop? You can switch with ease between your phone and your Samsung Galaxy Book. Just add a monitor or use your Galaxy Tab S8 as a second screen for an extended display.
By introducing a fluid working method for employees, businesses are also doing their bit for the wellbeing of our planet. Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, work commutes made up 15% of all journeys in the UK. By reducing the amount that employees commute into work, it subsequently has a massive – positive – impact on the reduction of the carbon emissions daily.
As businesses move to adapting to the modern working environment, employees must as well, meaning a change in mindset needs to take place. ‘Being at work’ is now becoming more of a state of mind, as opposed to a physical place. There are multiple public places that employees can adopt as an ‘office environment.’ Firstly, coffee shops and cafes. The Social Facilitation Theory suggests that being in the presence of others improves individual task performance. Like sitting in an office, being surrounded by like-minded, productive individuals can drive one’s own sense of productivity.
Coffee shops, cafes and food courts can stoke creativity, but they can also be fairly noisy and unpredictable at times. In this instance you may want to utilise the Galaxy Buds2 Pro to ensure that you get the most out of your time or opt for a Samsung Galaxy Book3 that has built-in noise cancelling technology to ensure you stay the focus of your calls.
As well as this, Botanical gardens, conservatories & arboretums are a great place to work. Light, airy, green spaces can make the perfect fluid working space. According to NASA, plants act as nature’s air purifiers and studies have shown that they improve mental health in office settings.
Though, like the office, these gardens are communal spaces and hoarding a lot of space in communal places is frowned upon. Making sure your kit is portable and light is essential to make fluid work, not just work for you, but for those around you too. Having devices with multifunctioning features is perfect for working on the go or in small spaces. The portability of the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro can enable fluid working wherever you are. The 2-in-1 convertible, coupled with the S-pen, means you can jot down any flash of inspiration that may come your way while you’re on the commute into or out of work.
Allowing employees to work a flexible manner and being able to dictate when are where the conduct their work, ensures that businesses are reinforcing trust and promoting a healthier work culture amongst employees. However, this is only possible if your business is providing its employees with the most up-to-date and advanced technology.
Choosing the right technology and partner for your business is a significant decision, so if you’re unsure what technology is right for your business, then call our technology specialist on 01675 444320.
