What Is The Best Work Model For Your Organization? 6 Tips To Help You Find Out
Until a few years ago, a business's work model was a no-brainer. It was usually a full eight hours and employees would have to come into the office from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Some industries may modify this schedule or the number of hours to accommodate customers in different time zones or other requirements. However, nowadays, there are many more choices in work models, from fully on-site and fully remote to the in-between hybrid. But how can you know which one is the best choice for your business? In this article, we will discuss 6 factors you need to consider when choosing a work model so that you can accommodate as best as you can the needs of your workforce and your clients.
What Are The Most Popular Work Models?
Before we explore how you can choose the right work model for your organization, we should probably talk about the options available to you. Here are the most common work models that businesses use around the world:
- On-site
This term refers to the work reality most of us are familiar with—the good old office environment where employees come in every day, sit at their desks alongside their colleagues, and complete their daily tasks. Its most notable benefits include easy collaboration, improved communication, stability, and a robust company culture.
- Fully remote
On the opposite side of the spectrum, we have the fully remote work model, where employees work permanently from home. Some businesses that operate under this model may not have any physical offices at all. This work arrangement became popular during the pandemic but has continued to thrive due to the flexibility, autonomy, and improved work-life balance it offers professionals.
- Hybrid
This model combines on-site and remote work, giving organizations and employees the ability to divide their time between the office and their homes. Hybrid work can take various forms, favoring either remote or on-site work depending on industry needs and business requirements. This arrangement provides employees with a balance of flexibility and stability, offering the best of both worlds.
- Deskless work
Not all businesses operate in a traditional office setting, whether physical or virtual. Deskless work refers to the category of professionals who work outside of the cubicle, in industries such as manufacturing, construction, healthcare, etc. While choosing a different work arrangement other than on-site can be complicated, certain roles within these fields may still be able to work remotely occasionally.
6 Factors That Will Determine The Right Work Arrangement For Your Business
1. Nature Of Tasks
The first thing to consider when choosing a work model for your business is the type of work and nature of tasks your employees must perform on a daily basis. For example, an office-based business where tasks primarily involve reports, spreadsheets, and other administrative duties can probably perform at the same level of productivity on a remote or hybrid work arrangement. On the other hand, on-site work may be the only choice for employees who need to use tools or technology that only exist at the workplace or for those in industries that require their physical presence, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality.
2. Employee Preference
In most cases, business leaders prefer having employees come into the workplace every day to perform their tasks. Yet, it's not only about what leadership wants but also about what makes employees happy. To maintain high levels of satisfaction and engagement, conduct anonymous surveys or have one-on-one conversations to give employees space to express their own preferences regarding work arrangements. Some may appreciate the social environment of the office, while others may feel that working from home will allow them to be more productive. Understanding the general sentiment of your staff towards different work models will facilitate the decision-making process and help ensure a smoother transition.
3. Team Size And Collaboration Needs
Other factors to consider when choosing a work model include the number of employees in your business and how they communicate and collaborate to drive success. For example, if you have a small company of 10 to 20 people who often work together for strategic or practical reasons, an office-based work model is probably the right choice. This way, you'll be able to foster a culture of direct communication and teamwork. However, if your company has multiple employees in distinct departments who don't require regular face-to-face interactions, consider a more flexible work arrangement. In this case, project management and online conference tools will be able to effectively substitute physical presence.
4. Available Technology Infrastructure
If you are considering transitioning from an on-site to a remote or hybrid work model, you need to be prepared for the necessary tech upgrades. To ensure employees are able to complete all their tasks, collaborate with their teams, and communicate with colleagues and clients, they need access to robust digital tools. If your company already uses project management, communication, and file-sharing software, and employees are accustomed to using them, the transition will probably be seamless. If not, you will have to factor in the costs associated with acquiring such software and training employees before making any decisions.
5. Cost Considerations
The choice between work models will undoubtedly be influenced by cost implications. When it comes to hybrid or remote work arrangements, it's easy to see that there are various financial advantages. For instance, expenses associated with office utilities decrease significantly, and if you are operating exclusively remotely, they are nonexistent. But, as mentioned earlier, you can't ignore the cost of providing employees with equipment to use at home, software to make remote work possible, and training expenses. Carefully examine your financial strategy and make the right choice depending on the needs and capabilities of your organization.
6. Scalability And Adaptability
Whatever decision you make about your business, you need to think about the future. You can't choose a work model now and be forced to change it a few months or years later. Think about the growth stage your business is at right now. Are you expecting an increase in staff numbers soon? If the answer is yes, choosing a specific office space may complicate this expansion. Conversely, hybrid work gives you more space to grow, although it requires extra attention if you want to create and implement fair policies for all employees and maintain a strong corporate culture.
Conclusion
Choosing a work model is a very important decision for your business and one you must make after careful consideration. For this reason, it is essential that you assess various factors, including the nature of your company's work, employee preferences, costs, and scalability, among others. By doing this, you will ensure that your organization is meeting its productivity and efficiency goals, all while keeping employees happy and engaged. Follow the tips we shared in this article to ensure the work model you choose will drive your business to success.
