Is your business using the most effective work model? Is it time to update the working arrangements and strategies you use to function on a day-to-day basis? Let's dive in and look at some of the most popular work models to help you as you consider the best possible structure for your team and company.
When we think about the world of work, we tend to picture people commuting to offices, job sites, and factories to perform a business's daily tasks. For decades, though, technology has been changing how brands can do business. Even though "telecommuting" is a concept that's been around since the 70s, the reality of everyday people getting their work done outside of the office through technology truly exploded with the pandemic outbreak.
Businesses around the world scrambled to figure out how to continue operating while following the guidelines and regulations related to the pandemic. Now, several years after the initial shockwave was sent through the world, the world of work has forever been changed.
Is your business using the most effective work model? Is it time to update the working arrangements and strategies you use to function on a day-to-day basis?
Let's dive in and look at some of the most popular work models to help you as you consider the best possible structure for your team and company.
Work models are systems that organizations can implement that determine the work environment and location for employees as they perform daily tasks. These models can also have an impact on who is responsible for specific tasks and projects. Through implementing specific work models, you can have a clearer outline of the line of authority that is responsible for handing out responsibilities.
By selecting and initiating a work model, employees have a greater ability to complete the required tasks without relying on others. The roles and responsibilities of each member of the team can be better defined when using a clear work model, ensuring that everyone is more productive and effective in their work.
There are just about as many possible work models as unique companies. At the same time, we can use four primary umbrella categories to understand the most common ways businesses operate on a day-to-day basis.
Depending on the industry, nature of the work, and specific needs of a company, some of these models will be much more applicable than others.
Of course, for a long time, the most common work model was the good, old-fashioned office environment. Depending on the industry and each particular role, employees might have desks where they can perform their daily tasks and coworkers around to work and socialize with. In some jobs, such as in manufacturing roles, employers might not spend much time at a desk but will otherwise be required to come into the workplace every day they're scheduled.
Some types of work simply can't be done remotely, while some roles are well-suited to remote work. Even so, though, some companies feel that the benefits of working together in person outweigh the conveniences and cost-savings of remote work.
Working in an office environment comes with some perks for employees and employers alike, including:
On the other hand, though, some of the downsides of having your team come into the office every day include:
Are you searching for ways to make your team even more awesome? Check out our list of quick team-building activities and the best virtual escape rooms for team-building.
On the other end of the spectrum from fully in-office work, fully remote work models are basically virtual offices. Some distributed companies don't even have a physical office at all and instead rely on a team of workers around the world that log in from home (or wherever they please, so long as there's a good internet connection.)
In our increasingly digital world, more and more organizations have been discovering the many perks of remote work. When you combine that with the impact that the pandemic had on the nature of work in the modern world, it appears that remote work is here to stay.
There are a lot of great things to say about remote work. Both workers and business owners can enjoy a lot of perks when they are able to work from wherever they please, including:
Of course, every coin has two sides. Some of the things that aren't so great about remote work include:
Even though there are some problematic potential issues that can crop up in a remote work model, the truth is that many of these "cons" are easily solvable. For example, at PizzaTime, we specialize in bringing remote teams together through awesome virtual experiences and delicious food. Through the deliberate creation of team-building opportunities, you can help build a solid culture and a strong team, even when each member is sprinkled all across the globe.
While some companies find themselves firmly on one end of the in-office-to-remote spectrum, others embrace a hybrid model. This is when two or more work models are combined to create a custom model that is best suited to the particular organization.
There are many possible iterations of hybrid work models. For example, some companies use office-centric hybrid models, where employees come into the office most days but are able to spend one or two days each week working remotely. This can be a great fit for companies that want their employees to be in the same geographic region and prioritize coworkers having the opportunity to develop deeper connections with one another while also allowing for some flexibility.
Another type of hybrid model is the fully flexible hybrid model. This allows employees to choose when they come into the office and work from elsewhere.
Of course, not all businesses are well-suited to remote work, while many businesses have employees who simply can't do their work from home. In these instances, a company might allow employees who can work remotely to head to a co-working space or stay home for some percentage of the week.
Hybrid models have become popular for a number of reasons, including:
On the downside, some of the challenges in relation to hybrid models include:
Are you considering making a big change to your work model? Make sure you check out our recent post about managing change in the workplace.
Of course, not everyone that physically goes into work is sitting in a cubicle. While we talk a lot about remote and hybrid work these days, it's worth stepping back and realizing that 80% of the global workforce comprises deskless workers.
These employees can be found in industries as varied as construction, retail, healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing. Often called frontline employees, these are employees who simply can't phone in from home to get their work done.
Deskless work is kind of in its own realm in relation to in-office, remote, and hybrid models. Workers being physically present is typically a requirement of this type of work, though it is possible to create a hybrid model for employees that also do some computer-based tasks. When a product or service is being offered to consumers or businesses IRL, deskless workers are a part of the equation.
Figuring out precisely how to create the ideal work model for your team or company can feel like a pretty big project.
By breaking it down into smaller tasks that can be tackled one by one, you can slowly start to sculpt the model that best suits the needs of both your brand and your employees.
One of the first things you'll need to do when choosing the appropriate work model for your team or company is to determine which tasks need to be completed during the regular work week.
For example, some teams might do all of their work online, suggesting the possibility of a fully remote work model if that's desirable. On the other hand, some teams might need to utilize tools or technologies only available in-office, which will skew you towards in-office work or at least a hybrid model.
When designing a work model for a team, it's important to remember that each person might have their preferences when it comes to where and how they work. For example, some employees might prefer coming into the office rather than working from home, as it allows them to socialize with their coworkers and offers a clearer dividing line between their professional and personal lives.
On the other hand, some workers might jump with glee at the idea of working from home. Regardless of your decision, it's always important to consider how changing your existing work model could impact your employees. Even when most of your team perceives a change as positive, making big shifts can cause tension, stress, and discomfort. For this reason, it's always a good idea to ensure your employees are incorporated into the decision-making process and kept in the loop before any big changes are made.
Another important factor when thinking about work models is considering the cost.
Many people sing the praises of remote work because of the money it can save an organization– without an office, there's no rent, utilities, office supplies, or other overhead. At the same time, many companies will need to make investments to help their employees have the tools and resources they need to successfully work from home.
Finally, it's important to be clear about what you expect from your employees if you shift your existing work model. Without outlining these expectations, transitioning to a remote model from an in-office model, for example, could create a particularly chaotic situation.
There are a lot of different elements that you'll want to touch upon when creating these expectations, including:
Whether you utilize a hybrid or a remote model in your business, deliberately creating opportunities for employees to enhance their connection to one another is essential. At PizzaTime, it's our specialty to help your team create shared memories and experience valuable team-building activities that help them be more productive, more satisfied, and feel a deeper connection to your brand.
Is it time for you to boost employee morale, motivation, and engagement among your remote team? If so, you can start your order for virtual team-building experiences and catering today!
Do you have any questions about any of these listed work models, what we can provide for you here at PizzaTime, or anything else we discussed in this article? If so, please feel free to let us know at any time! We'd be more than happy to assist you.
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