In the ever-evolving landscape of global business services (GBS), change is an inevitable part of the equation. Companies that have established strong GBS systems have proven their resilience by navigating through the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Adapting to these changes and mobilizing forces has become essential for organizations to add value and thrive in the future. GBS is no longer just a temporary solution but a permanent fixture in the business world. As GBS operates on a global scale, it caters to both high-touch and low-touch customers, providing services of varying complexity. To sustain success, attracting talented individuals with diverse needs and staying technologically driven is crucial, as what worked yesterday may not work in the future.
During SSOW Europe Digital, Bert van den Berg, Global Director of HR Shared Services for DSM shared the following insights into hybrid work and the most important factors for creating trust and team cohesion. If you want to see the complete conversation with Bert, check out the video above.
Hybrid Working - The New Norm in a Changing World
Hybrid working has rapidly gained popularity and is now considered the norm in the corporate world. According to a 2022 Deloitte Study, 77% of companies have adopted a hybrid model, with 56% allowing employees to choose when and how often they go to the office, known as the "At Will Policy." This approach offers employees the flexibility to work from home (WFH) while still requiring them to be physically present at the workplace when necessary. To accommodate this shift, companies have resized their real estate footprints and redesigned their offices. However, despite these changes, many employees continue to prefer remote work. The opportunity to work remotely is now one of the top questions asked during interviews. Yet, tax and social security parameters still restrict the aspirations of those dreaming of a global nomad lifestyle.
Managing Change in a Hybrid World
Navigating change in a hybrid work environment requires employing models of best practices in change management. Deliberately designing a change roadmap and not skipping essential steps is critical. Understanding the impact of change on stakeholders, without making assumptions, is crucial. Tailoring the roadmap to individual stakeholders and utilizing the right communication channels is essential. Change agents play a pivotal role in driving transparency and communication throughout the process. Retention methods, such as connecting with key individuals, can help sustain engagement. Leveraging technology tools like Teams Planner Board, shared files, and asynchronous working can keep teams on track and engaged. Additionally, technology can bridge geographical barriers and facilitate teamwork, regardless of location, using tools like TeamPact. These technological advancements provide new and interesting channels for collecting quick feedback, allowing prompt issue resolution.
The 7 Most Important Factors in Building Trust and Team Cohesion (Even Remotely!)
Based on Bert's experiences, he identified the seven most important factors in building trust and team cohesion, even in a remote work environment:
- Create a clear purpose: Establish a shared sense of direction and purpose for the team.
- Establish psychological safety and create trust: Foster an environment where team members feel safe to express themselves and take risks.
- Agree on your team's "Rules of Engagement": Establish guidelines for communication, collaboration, and decision-making within the team.
- Emphasize transparency of communications and use change agents to drive it continuously: Ensure open and honest communication channels while utilizing change agents to promote transparency.
- Put additional focus into onboarding new members: Provide proper support and integration for new team members joining remotely.
- Manage individuals and teams based on outcomes: Focus on results and hold team members accountable for their contributions.
- Make meetings meaningful and regularly get together online or in person if possible: Ensure that team meetings are productive, purposeful, and encourage team members to connect regularly, either virtually or in person when feasible.
By prioritizing these factors, organizations can foster trust, enhance team cohesion, and successfully navigate change in a remote or hybrid work environment.