During the summer months, businesses face unique challenges in managing remote and hybrid workforces due to vacations and slower business activities. To ensure productivity, collaboration, and work-life balance, it is essential for companies to fine-tune their strategies.
1. Effective communication is crucial for remote and hybrid work models. Juan Betancourt, CEO of Humantelligence, emphasizes the importance of embracing asynchronous communication and setting clear communication protocols. This includes defining the tools, channels, and threads to use for specific purposes, expectations for response times, and guidelines for respectful and productive communication. Betancourt suggests integrating add-ons to collaboration tools that provide customized tips for more effective communication, helping improve relationships and build trust among team members.
2. Maintaining work-life balance is crucial in remote and hybrid environments, especially during slower business months. Jason McCann, CEO and founder of Vari, stresses the importance of maintaining focus on annual goals and celebrating company values and vision. McCann keeps his team engaged by hosting quarterly all-hands meetings, both virtually and in-person, to ensure everyone feels connected to the company’s mission and objectives. McCann also acknowledges the importance of in-person engagement, particularly for interns and younger workers, and hosts events like company picnics and organized charity work to enhance the company culture.
3. The landscape of work is undergoing major transformations, driven by technological advancements, shifting employee expectations, and the move to hybrid and remote work. One critical trend is the integration of AI in the hiring process, according to Kara Hertzog, president of Innovative Employee Solutions. AI can screen résumés, match candidates, and schedule interviews, giving hiring managers and HR teams more time for interviews and company-culture matching. Hertzog believes this technology plays a crucial role in hiring contingent workers, enabling rapid matching with suitable project experience, fast onboarding, scheduling, and even performance tracking.
By developing clear communication protocols, supporting work-life balance, and staying abreast of emerging technologies and trends, companies can maintain productivity and engagement even during slower periods. Embracing these innovations will be crucial in creating resilient, connected, and motivated teams, ensuring that businesses not only survive, but also thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of work.
