The pandemic has in many ways been a catalyst for change, in a relatively short period of time we have witnessed a total and irreversible shift in how we live, work, and think about our lives. Today hybrid work is a reality that serves both public health and the way we want to optimise our lives.

With many regions and organisations now proactively mandating workforces to make a return to the at home office, it’s important for business leaders and hybrid workers to take stock of what we’ve learned over the last 18+ months. There is no longer any excuse for being unprepared and poorly equipped for the hybrid set up. Embracing hybrid means embracing the right technology solutions to make remote working as seamless and successful as possible. 

Establishing hybrid professionalism

While at the outset of the pandemic, it was common for remote workers to struggle with at home set ups. Seemingly minor issues like video glitches, sound cutting out and background noise were excusable, and often experienced. But 18-months in we’ve noted a shift in the preparedness of organizations who have embraced our ‘new normal’ – and it comes down to the tech they are using.

Audio quality is becoming a true business differentiator that can mean the difference between success and failure. With fewer ways to “show up well” with clients, colleagues, and customers today there is increased pressure on the quality of what is said (and how it’s delivered) during business interactions.

This poses a risk to organizations who aren’t making use of the right audio technology. Employers must acknowledge the powerful role of audio and visual technology in bolstering employee confidence, elevating the client experience, and maintaining high standards of professionalism.

Championing employee wellbeing 

Without the right tools many employees struggled to maintain efficiency and productivity while working. EPOS research found that time spent fixing audio issues can amount to 31 minutes per employee each week on average. 

As many as 26% of global employees report feeling frustrated, irritated, or annoyed; and 19% experiencing moments of stress due to poor audio experiences. Unsurprisingly, this has a detrimental impact on their output with 26% of employees reporting misunderstandings, while 21% miss out on critical information, and a further 17% believe they appear unprofessional because of poor sound experiences.

The right solutions can make a real difference to employee performance and ultimately, their wellbeing. In fact, 68% of modern workers believe that good audio solutions can help solve a lack of confidence or embarrassment. With small changes to visual and audio technology, employees can maintain their confidence and ability to collaborate and facilitate the generation of ideas. 

Zoom fatigue is a relatively new phenomenon, borne of the pandemic, and it is a reality that many are now facing. Call after call can lead to employees feeling weary and over stimulated, particularly when they don’t have the right type of kit. Battling interruptive sounds, poor audio quality and background noises while trying to focus on the sound at the other end of the line can have a strenuous effect on the brain after prolonged periods. 

In 2022, there’s never been a greater time for business leaders to start having serious conversations about their employees at home set up, needs, and environments. This way, we can ensure that employees feel that their needs are being considered and invested in with the right tools. 

Employee consultation will become key 

Although audio technology is now prominently at the forefront of business leaders’ minds, understanding exactly how and where to invest is much less clear-cut. A simple resolution is to improve consultation with employees about how the demands of their roles are changing, and how best organizations can help them to navigate these adaptations. 

EPOS research found recognition for the role effective consultation can play. 70% of business leaders agreed that consultation with employees is either essential or very important to help inform decisions about audio investment.

And many business leaders also acknowledge that there is scope to improve internal policies around remote and hybrid working – 88% agree there is a need for better policy and regulation around home/hybrid working set ups. However, there is no need for organizations to wait for changes in legislation. 

Those with an eye on preserving employee wellbeing, maintaining productivity, and attracting digital native talent would be well served by listening carefully to the viewpoints of the workforce and getting ahead of the curve.

2021 has proven that the world can change on a dime, businesses and professionals were able to embrace hybrid working and new ways of working, unlocking new opportunities and stimulating recovery at a global level. Thanks to technology, we saw widespread adaption of collaboration solutions and the implementation of advanced tools to facilitate remote working. As a result, businesses across the board have become well-versed in modern approaches to work, which is exciting. 

In 2022, we can expect this to grow. The pandemic has resulted in many organizations realising the importance of digitalization, the importance of modern technologies, and ultimately the equipment staff use. What worked yesterday, might not work tomorrow. Companies and professionals are ready to enter an era where new technologies and ways of working will not only be embraced but sought after.