Setting up for success in a hybrid work future

THE definition of work today has changed – it is no longer anchored to a single place and moment in time but is focused on outcomes.

Organisations must be ready to help their employees realise both their professional and personal roles effectively regardless of where they work.

One thing is for certain – alternating between working from home and working in the office or hybrid work is very much the new reality.

It’s no secret that technology is the underlying enabler of a successful and sustainable remote work strategy.

The good news is that 50% of employees in Malaysia feel that their employers are doing everything they can to provide them with the necessary technology resources to work remotely, according to the Dell Technologies Remote Work Readiness Index (RWR Index).

However, that is not the only determining factor in setting up the organisation for success in a hybrid work future.

When it comes to making investments for long-term remote work, it is important to get it right from day one.

Implement advanced, secure and agile IT

As we shifted away from the traditional office model to remote, and now hybrid work, the model to adopt must be one that is designed to be a “ready-for-anything”digital workplace.

Regardless of whether employees are working from home or in the office, organisations should be ready to enable seamless collaboration and manage information technology (IT) resources from anywhere.

One key investment that can help achieve this is cloud computing technology – organisations making the shift to the cloud can consider starting with a hybrid cloud infrastructure model – one that combines public, private and edge clouds with the capability to scale as business needs grow.

A non-negotiable must-have in an organisation’s hybrid work model is a robust security and data protection strategy.

As remote work causes data to be distributed across multiple locations such as data centres, various work sites and hybrid and multi-cloud environments, a comprehensive data protection strategy – combining proven and modern data protection – is essential. Investing in a cybersecurity infrastructure that is flexible, scalable and manageable goes a long way in providing peace of mind so organisations can focus on running the business.Supporting employees with the right technology and tools is equally as critical.

The RWR Index found that 42% of respondents in Malaysia named company-issued productivity equipment and tools as the top tech resource that employers must provide for long-term remote work.

Business leaders must prioritise the employee experience in a hybrid work model, by investing in quality tech resources – from laptops and monitors to peripheral accessories – to empower staff to work productively and securely.

One thing is for certain – alternating between working from home and working in the office or hybrid work is very much the new reality. The good news is that 50% of employees in Malaysia feel that their employers are doing everything they can to provide them with the necessary technology resources to work remotely

Invest in the wellbeing of employees

In a hybrid work future, it is equally as important to invest in digital upskilling and the wellbeing of employees as they cope with the additional challenge of juggling working from home.

The success of a connected workplace ultimately depends on an organisation’s ability to embrace a flexible culture and support its workforce with the right technology infrastructure – providing a conducive environment where innovation and productivity can thrive.

The Dell Technologies insight paper on Leading the Next Hybrid Workforce outlined three key imperatives that organisations must prioritise to lay the foundation for a successful and sustainable hybrid work future.

Successful hybrid work requires intentional and empathetic leadership to steer the organisation in the right direction; a thoughtful structure to hybrid work that allows employees to work effectively and efficiently; as well as the deliberate direction of resources towards building culture and preserving learning.

As we move into a hybrid work future, organisations need to implement the right IT infrastructure to accommodate new ways of working seamlessly and securely but increasingly, it is also about embracing a culture shift that places emphasis on the wellbeing of employees to shape a hybrid, ready-for-anything workforce in line with an organisation’s business needs.

Dell Technologies was a Gold Sponsor of the recent StarBiz Summit from Nov 25-26 held in conjunction with of Star Media Group’s 50th anniversary.

Christopher Choong, senior product manager, spoke at the Future of Work Biz-Con Breakout Track on Day TWO. To rewatch his session, visit bit.ly/starbiz-dell.

Mak Chin Wah is country manager of Malaysia, Dell Technologies.