2020 forever changed the way companies see their work models. In this article, Pipedrive, the leading CRM platform for sales and marketing teams, analyzes the pandemic context and shares five benefits for a new management of employees.
After almost a year and a half since the pandemic started, it has become evident that employees must be the key part of any company, which means that their well-being and flexibility must come first.
The so-called “smart work” is no longer a trend, and becomes part of reality, combining telecommuting (at home or elsewhere) with going to the office according to the company's needs. In practice, this model allows the rotation of teams and holding meetings that work better in person, while ensuring that all sanitary measures are in compliance and helping to save on office expenses.
Managing a global team of 800 employees and aiming to reach 1000 later this year, Pipedrive shares five advantages to get more out of a hybrid model.
1. Increased productivity
Hybrid work is generally seen by some managers as a way of working fewer hours, which would mean leaving work undone. However, more recent studies, such as that carried out by Microsoft, show that the pandemic has had a positive impact on the performance of companies across Europe, with 82% of entrepreneurs saying that their companies are as productive or more productive than before the pandemic. . Likewise, leadership is based on self-management, agility and the teams' ability to solve problems. Promoting a hybrid mindset gives employees more freedom in their work, as well as the ability to choose the projects to work on, resulting in better use of their time.
Another example is the reduction of time spent on travel, such as going to the office or a meeting, allowing for better concentration on daily tasks, as the distractions of the more traditional model disappear. In this way, employees can choose the most productive time for them, which may not be the 'traditional' 9-5. For example, replacing face-to-face meetings with meetings in Zoom allows teams to update themselves when it is most convenient for them, as these meetings are frequently recorded.
2. Happiness
When employees are happier, well rested and less stressed, your results are improved. There are those who thrive in a remote environment and those who shine in the office. A hybrid work structure alleviates the disadvantages of working 100% from a distance – such as loneliness or lack of concentration – by allowing a professional space outside the home so that people can work together and socialize with their teammates.
For Pipedrive, magic happens when teams are free to choose for themselves what works best. Giving more autonomy increases job satisfaction, as well as the feeling of well-being, which also leads to a greater retention of employees. In addition, offering, for example, coaching sessions to employees can also help them to face challenges or issues, whether work-related or not, contributing to a more holistic happiness.
3. Office redefined
In a hybrid office, the need for a long row of chairs and desks disappears. In turn, this scenario would give rise to a mix of versatile spaces that support teams in different tasks, such as high tables where people can connect their own laptops, meeting rooms designed to receive customers, soundproof booths and a lounge/leisure area for more informal meetings or team moments.
Additionally, as with the pandemic the number of people in the office is limited, the company knows exactly how many people will be present, allowing for planning of occupancy levels. This can result in a decrease in space rental costs, daily office costs and other business related costs.
4. Safety in the context of the pandemic
While vaccines are still being administered and municipalities are constantly changing their “alert state”, experts continue to emphasize the need to comply with security measures such as social distance and the use of a mask indoors. Until this is all over, the way work and travel is perceived will continue to reflect the risk of the virus.
Opting for a hybrid working model can help companies keep their teams safe by reducing the number of people in the office, and creating a more spacious environment that allows for social distance. In addition, this model also allows employees to travel outside peak hours or stay working from home if they or their families have to start a quarantine period.
5. Barrier-free recruitment
Having teleworking as an option allows recruiters to search wherever they want. With the constant arrival of new technology companies in Portugal, finding the perfect candidate can be a little easier once the geographic barriers are broken down. When this occasion presents itself, Pipedrive has a department responsible for helping new team members as well as their families to move to their respective country.
Founded in 2010, Pipedrive is the first CRM developed through a vendor perspective. It is currently used by sales teams from over 95 000 companies around the world. Headquartered in New York, it has offices throughout Europe and the United States.