As the modern workforce evolves, the appeal of hybrid work environments has become increasingly apparent. While fully remote work may not be feasible for every company, adopting a hybrid work solution can be an attractive perk for both potential and current employees. Transitioning from a fully on-site setup to a hybrid environment, however, requires careful planning to ensure a smooth and successful shift.
If you're ready to embrace the hybrid work model for your company, read on for 11 expert tips recommended by Young Entrepreneur Council members.
What's one tip you'd offer a fully on-site company for making a smooth transition to a hybrid environment?
1. Provide the right technology
Implement the proper technology to support hybrid work. Invest in communication tools, such as video conferencing and instant messaging software, and provide remote employees with access to necessary files and documents through cloud-based platforms. By ensuring that remote employees have the necessary technology and resources, companies maintain a sense of connectivity and collaboration. —Kyle Goguen, Pawstruck
2. Use a virtual office platform
By using a virtual office platform like Teamflow, you can almost seamlessly connect your remote and on-site employees in one central location. Critically, virtual office platforms create a sense of community among employees, which is crucial for unofficial "office-like" communication. —Idan Waller, BlueThrone
3. Clarify your hybrid work policy
For a company that can't go fully remote and is considering a hybrid solution, one way to make the transition seamless is by creating and implementing a clear hybrid work policy. This means identifying the tasks that can be done remotely, along with the ones that require on-site presence, and clearly communicating your expectations with employees, making them aware of what's expected from them. —Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
4. Invest in collaboration tools
One tip I would offer is for the company to invest in quality communication and collaboration tools to help workers stay connected, regardless of location. With these tools, remote and on-site employees can collaborate quickly and efficiently, improving productivity and overall success. —Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
5. Identify hybrid-ready roles
Follow the playbook larger organizations use to reduce headcount over time. First, identify which roles can be done by hybrid (or fully remote) employees. Then, as fully on-site employees in those roles leave the company, replace them with hybrid or remote workers. —Andrew Schrage, Money Crashers Personal Finance
6. Demonstrate trust
Trust is a two-way street. Trust your employees to get the job done, regardless of their location. Focus on output rather than micromanagement. When you empower your team members, they'll feel valued and motivated to deliver outstanding results. Trust me—it's a win-win! —Abhijeet Kaldate, Astra WordPress Theme
7. Ensure employee availability
Have fixed office days, overlap hours, and communicate well regarding check-ins. This ensures that team members are available when you expect them to be and there are no communication breakdowns due to going hybrid. One of the biggest issues companies face when going partially remote is access to their employees, so create a structure where everyone is available, even if they aren't in person. —Firas Kittaneh, Amerisleep Mattress
8. Leverage video conferencing
One tip that can make the transition to a hybrid work environment smoother for a fully on-site company is to invest in remote work technology that includes video conferencing, project management, and collaboration tools. Besides remote work technology, consider requiring your remote employees to keep a Zoom video on most of the workday so employees can learn from each other in their small groups. —Eddie Lou, CodaPet
9. Establish work schedules and policies
I would recommend asking employees for feedback about which days they want to work remotely. Simply dictating the days will not go over well. Also, establish a policy regarding the flexibility of their schedules. Perhaps have a rolling start and end time—for example, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. with a 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. ending time. That way, those with different commutes and schedules can get to work on time. —Peter Boyd, PaperStreet Web Design
10. Create SOP manuals
If you're interested in turning your fully on-site company into a hybrid system, consider creating accessible SOP (standard operating procedure) manuals that your team can access regardless of where they work. SOP manuals set guidelines for employees so they understand what's expected of them. You should also consider creating a manual specifically for remote workers to make the transition between positions seamless. —Chris Christoff, MonsterInsights
11. Establish communication guidelines
Clear communication will be extremely important. It's already challenging enough when everyone is fully on-site, but it's even more challenging when you're in a hybrid or fully remote setup. A lot can get lost in translation or be misunderstood. Having clear cadences and establishing guidelines on communication methods for specific tasks will go a long way. —Samuel Thimothy, OneIMS
