6 Essential Tools to Create a Great Hybrid Workplace

The remote work experiment of the pandemic made one thing clear: employees crave flexibility above all else.

Workers want the option to work remotely or on-site, and competitive employers have learned that flexible workplace arrangements are necessary for retention. Today, almost two years since COVID first hit, companies are in the midst of transitioning to a hybrid workplace.

But, to successfully set up a hybrid office, companies must put in place updated policies, procedures, and tools. 

Why do hybrid workplaces need specific tools to function well?

Hybrid workplaces are unique in that employees work both in person and remotely, so companies need tools that enable successful work and collaboration for employees—whether on-site or working from elsewhere. 

While the former tools and technology your company used may still be in rotation, moving toward a hybrid workplace means you’ll have to adopt some new ones. 

We are in the midst of what is being called the Great Resignation—where employees are leaving their positions in droves. This means businesses need to prioritize employee satisfaction and happiness, or risk losing valuable members of their team. 

So, companies are on the hook for offering the right hybrid-work tech stack that allows employees to get work done effectively, but also to supports employee happiness. Having tools in place to reduce headaches and make everyone feel supported will ease the transition to a hybrid workplace, and improve team satisfaction overall.

The hybrid workplace tech stack enables companies to: 

• Streamline communication across locations 
• Maximize the business impact of on-site and in-person time
• Keep track of project statuses, updates, and deliverables with ease 
• Onboard employees and manage performance both remotely and in the workplace
• Enable dynamic collaboration for teams and individuals 
• Provide smarter ways for employees to share updates and exchange information  

6 tools your company needs to make your hybrid workplace successful

1. Slack, Microsoft Teams, or other instant messenger

It’s likely that you’re already using an instant messaging tool—but we’re highlighting its importance here as it’s especially crucial for hybrid teams.

Office instant messengers, like Slack or Microsoft Teams, streamline communication for hybrid teams. Regardless of location, employees can check-in, share feedback and files, and keep track of project status. Both have a Channels feature that make it easy to create a dedicated space to discuss projects, goals, or deliverables, and stay up to date.

2. Desk booking software

For hybrid workplaces, the days employees spend on-site need to count. Help employees make the most of their time in the office with a desk booking tool to reserve a workspace ahead of time. That way, when employees arrive, they can get straight to work without the scramble of trying to find an open desk at the last minute.

For added collaboration, Eden Workplace’s desk booking software lets administrators create and assign “neighborhoods,” where specific departments or sections of your organization can work near each other. Companies can also use desk booking to support team safety by ensuring social distancing, which will make your team feel more comfortable returning to the office.

To learn more about Eden Workplace’s desk booking software, as well as visitor management, room scheduling, and other workplace software products, reach out and book a demo by clicking the button above. 

3. Project management tools

Since team members will be collaborating from the office and elsewhere, companies need a dynamic project management tool that lends itself to communication from anywhere. The goal here is to avoid using tools that rely too heavily on touching base in person, since this won’t always be possible. 

So, you’ll want an option that integrates with your instant messenger tool, so employees can track, manage, and connect projects across the two. Some popular project management choices include Asana, Trello, and Notion. 

4. HR software

Hybrid workplaces need a centralized HR tool that simplifies onboarding, performance management, and people operations, whether employees are on-site or off.

Ensuring robust onboarding and smart performance management is even more important in a hybrid workplace. Communication can be more challenging with employees working from both the office and afar, so companies need to make sure all parties are aligned on these topics. Tools like Lattice make it easy to support performance management with goal alignment, one-on-ones, and regular feedback.

5. Whiteboard apps

Hybrid workplaces should have more than just Zoom in their collaboration arsenal. While the video conferencing tool is essential, Zoom doesn’t provide the full spectrum of flexibility hybrid workplaces need to collaborate. Beyond simply the ability to interact with others on-screen, employees need tools that stimulate in-person collaboration while remote.

Consider complementing your video call with a white boarding app, like Mural or Miro. Whiteboard apps let participants collaborate in real-time on a shared digital canvas. Users can take advantage of features like voting, timers, and more. 

6. Screen recording apps

Email and Slack have long been the tools we use to stay in touch. But when it comes to explaining complicated processes or sharing dynamic content, a screen recording app, like Loom, can be better. 

Especially for hybrid workplaces where employees are working from multiple locations, Loom makes it easy to record your screen and camera, so you can share updates and talk through ideas with ease. 

Despite all the challenges of the last few years, one exciting fact remains—work keeps changing. Today, businesses wanting to attract and retain the best talent need to focus on creating an inviting, flexible workplace where their employees feel supported.

For many, establishing a hybrid office is a perfect solution. But doing so means re-thinking the tools and policies your team needs to be successful. As you transition to a hybrid workforce, be sure to include the tools above in your tech stack, and continue touching base with your team to make sure the tools you are using meet their needs.