5 nice problems to have… Feeling flexible? How you can retain the best talent in a digital-first workplace
How flexible are you? And I’m not talking about how well you’ve perfected your downward dog. All credit to the yogis out there, though. Last year a study reported a not insignificant statistic that gives a real insight into working culture across the country: 46% of people in employment in the UK want to work flexibly. That’s nearly HALF of the UK workforce. So what’s the story behind the stat and what does it mean for talent retention in your fast growing business?
UK business culture is reflecting the global trend moving towards flexible, remote and mobile working. An increasingly mobile international workforce, demographic and social shifts are making the global workforce more and more diverse. The digital-first world we all now inhabit, the interconnected nature of our lives and the always-on culture that has formed as a result, means work is ever more something you do, rather than somewhere you go.
The generation game
As the first truly digital generation of workers enter the workforce, millennials – or ‘generation Y’, those typically identified as such being born between the years 1980-2000 – bring with them new lifestyles and attitudes. As digital-natives, they are redefining the modern workplace with an expectation that they can connect, consume and work whenever, wherever. That’s why 92% of millennials place flexibility as a top priority when selecting workplaces.
Yet millennials are not alone in shaping this workplace revolution. Working parents, grandparents and those caring for elderly, disabled or unwell relatives, are all seeking flexible working arrangements. Thus enabling a more diverse, dynamic, agile and inclusive workforce – unrestricted by the requirement of travelling into a physical office.
The changing face of today’s workforce and the shifting requirements of their ‘workplace’ means employers are seeking alternative solutions that accommodate the needs of employees. Fast-paced, midsize companies are particularly looking to cater for the divergent needs of their individual people. If your best Marketing talent lives in the Outer Hebrides, not the outer commuter-belt, with the necessary tools and practices in place you can get hiring!
New needs, new rewards
Consider the current needs of your business. Do you need more employees but don’t have the office space to accommodate them? Are members of staff making requests to work remotely? Do you want to promote a flexible work environment but are unsure of the business benefits? These are just some of the questions likely inform the internal debate if flexible working has started to ascend on your business agenda.
A range of benefits arising from flexible working arrangements mean the rewards for employers can be substantial. They include:
- The ability to attract, retain and grow top talent
- Increased employee engagement by reducing staff absenteeism, turnover and improving the health of workers
- Simplification of business processes, improved workflow and work stream management
- Decreased travel costs
- Diminished carbon footprint
- Less required office space
Not bad. Yet the really key business case clincher is individual worker efficiency. Employees who are able to work flexibly and achieve a better work/life balance reveal themselves to be happier and more productive. In fact, 83% of workers say adopting flexible working results in improved productivity.
So, flexible working is good for productive business AND engaged employees.
Connected culture
Once the will of the company is there, ensuring the appropriate policies and culture is in place, connectivity is key. Giving employees secure, industry-leading collaboration tools is fundamental to a successful flexible working culture. Remote access provides the same people and resources to employees, without having to leave their home office, study, snug or kitchen table. Meaning that the moment their broadband or data connection is made, flexible workers can share information and ideas almost anywhere.
Collaboration technology from Cisco brings people and information together simply, securely and efficiently across remote, mobile and diverse workforces. Collaboration solutions tailored specifically to midsize companies use powerful and highly secure voice, video, chat and file-sharing capabilities to keep you moving forward at rapid pace. Keeping your growing business productive and your information safe. Strengthening employee communications, team working, relationships and work/life balance as people meet face-to-face. Anytime. Any device. Anywhere.
Whether at home, on the move or in a remote location far from planes, trains and automobiles, in today’s market, the more connected and engaged your employees feel, the easier it is for them to support your organisation’s goals. Location independent. Now that sounds like a job well done.
To learn more about how Cisco Collaboration technology can support flexible working, see our Solutions for Midsize businesses.
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