Key Strategies for Managing a Dispersed Workforce
The workplace of 2020 looks nothing like it did in 2019 and, for most companies, there’s no going back. Remote work is here to stay, which leaves business leaders with the challenge of deciding how best to manage a dispersed workforce. Read on to discover four key strategies that can help you make the right investments today to set your business and your people up for success in the future.
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#1
#4
#2
#3
Sources: FiananceBuzz. (2020, May 6). Almost Half of Remote Workers Report Feeling Isolated, But 81% Want to Stay Remote. IDG. (2020, April 30). CIO COVID-19 Impact Study. Kurter, H. (2020, May 21). How To Build An Inclusive Virtual Culture With These 4 Effective Strategies. Forbes. Netwrix. 2020 Cyber Threats Report. Spiceworks Ziff Davis. The 2021 State of IT.
For further information, read 'Smart Strategies for Managing a Dispersed Workforce'.
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Optimise what you have.
STRATEGY #1:
According to a recent IDG report, 45% of CIOs say their top priority is cost control. However, CEOs have a different top priority - a tie between digital transformation (37%) and improving remote work experiences (37%). Luckily, these priorities don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Savvy IT leaders know the best way to control costs is by reducing legacy infrastructure and on-premises dependencies. Decommissioning legacy architecture helps business leaders cut costs by:
In fact, the need to replace outdated IT infrastructure is the top factor driving IT budget increases in 2021 for 56% of surveyed organisations.
Increasing IT efficiency
Decreasing security vulnerabilities
Reducing the amount of office space needed to operate
Lowering maintenance and utility costs, such as power and cooling
01
03
04
Invest in your future.
STRATEGY #2:
What you save on expenses through IT consolidation and optimisation can be re-invested to fund digital transformation efforts. 44% of IT leaders believe they need to acquire new technology solutions to address the new work dynamic. 80% of businesses in North America and Europe expect year-over-year tech spending to increase or stay the same, despite the revenue setbacks of 2020.
Remote enablement technologies such as Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and 5G are vital investments if your business plans to continue allowing remote work beyond 2020.
There’s also the human element of enabling remote work, which will require bigger investments in end-user support, and endpoint management and maintenance services.
Hardware
31%
Software
29%
Cloud-based services
24%
Managed services
16%
46%
of organisations already have or plan to implement VDI in the next two years.
already have or plan to implement 5G technology in the next two years.
34%
Expected IT budget allocations for 2021:
With employees now accessing company data outside the office, security has become an even greater concern for IT leaders.
See security differently.
STRATEGY #3:
This is why we need to start thinking differently about security. Our approach must shift from device and network security to identity, data and application security.
of IT professionals reported an increased frequency of cyberattacks.
63%
found new security gaps resulting from the transition.
60%
Your people play a key role in keeping company data secure. And yet…
Since the transition to remote work:
reported phishing attacks during the first three months of the pandemic.
48%
of CIOs are concerned users won’t follow security guidelines at home.
79%
are concerned about employees accidentally sharing company data.
66%
reported employees ignoring cybersecurity guidelines.
58%
An astonishing 85% of CISOs admitted they sacrificed security to quickly enable remote work.
Implementing these measures will help your data stay more secure:
Multifactor authentication
Conditional access
Data classification
Zero-trust security policies
Security training for all employees
49%
38%
of experienced remote workers say it’s hard to build relationships with co-workers.
report feeling isolated or lonely.
say it’s difficult to keep a healthy work/life balance.
say they lack face time with managers or company leaders.
37%
The downside of remote work:
While working from home gives employees greater flexibility and freedom, it has its drawbacks too.
Build healthy, virtual culture.
STRATEGY #4:
Luckily, virtual culture is a tool business leaders can use to help remote workers connect and feel seen.
"A space where each employee feels comfortable, safe, respected and treated like a valued member of the team; it’s where they feel like they belong. — Forbes"
What is virtual culture?
Build virtual culture with these remote work policies:
1. Establish regular check-in meetings with managers and the team as a whole. 2. Let laughter and side conversations happen - even in business-heavy meetings. 3. Encourage a “cameras on” culture to give virtual meetings a face-to-face presence. 4. Give employees permission to take breaks when needed and fully unplug on PTO.
Ultimately, the majority of employees value the opportunity to work remote.
said they are likely to look for another remote role in the future.
81%
said they would take a lower salary in order to have remote work.
54%
