8 tips for making a hybrid model work for your business

Workplaces—both large and small—are changing. Rising demand for flexible work options has led to many companies adopting a hybrid model, allowing for a mix of remote and in-office work. It’s increasingly looking like the future of work is hybrid—but how can you turn this from a “new normal” to an advantage for your business?

Different industries invariably have different needs—not every company is able to go fully remote, for instance—but one thing is certain: to be successful with hybrid work, reliable telecommunications solutions are essential. Not only to stay connected with your team, but also to better serve your clients. Luckily, Rogers for Business is here to help businesses take advantage, providing the solutions you need to remain a step ahead of evolving trends and make a hybrid model work for you.

What is hybrid work?

There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all model when it comes to hybrid work. In some offices, hybrid means certain employees will remain fully remote while other departments work in-person, but it can also refer to a mix of the two: employees balance in-office work a few days a week with working from home, depending on schedule and personal preference. As a work model, it’s easy to see why employees gravitate toward hybrid; it offers increased flexibility and mobility, as well as a better work-life balance.

Employers stand to benefit from going hybrid as well. With a reliable team in place and the proper tools, offering flexible work options promotes autonomy while increasing productivity, helping your company grow.

Here are 8 tips to help you successfully implement a hybrid work policy at your company.

1. Cultivate an inclusive company culture

While certain employees may be itching to get back to in-person work (and the human interaction that comes with it), others may prefer to remain remote. That said, it’s crucial to ensure all your employees feel like they’re an integral part of the team, no matter where they work.

Story continues

Look for creative ways to build a cohesive company culture, whether that’s through team-building initiatives or lunch-and-learn sessions. And be sure to regularly gather employee feedback to gauge what’s working—and what isn’t. When holding larger meetings with a mix of remote and in-office employees, try innovative features like the breakout rooms in Microsoft Teams to ensure everyone stays involved and engaged, and feels their voice is being heard.

2. Prioritize effortless collaboration

Whether your employees work in or out of the office (or a mix of the two), having tools in place to allow them to collaborate with their co-workers is key. From enabling remote team meetings to having a shared calendar system that can be accessed from anywhere, Microsoft 365 with Teams is a valuable and easy-to-use tool for businesses looking to increase hybrid productivity. Rogers for Business offers a variety of Microsoft 365 plans, and Rogers Business Specialists are available to help you determine the one best suited to your company’s specific needs.

3. Go wireless

Staying connected while on the go—whether it’s to co-workers or customers—is essential for a hybrid work model to, well, work. Rogers for Business offers device financing to help you equip your team with the best business phones, while also offering wireless plans specially tailored to any business size. Regardless of which business plan you choose, your employees will be able to take advantage of Canada’s largest and most reliable 5G network¹ to remain productive while on the road, all with no overage or surprise roaming charges.

4. Bundling can help save you money

Bundling services is an excellent way to ensure you’re getting the best value for your dollar. Try the Advantage Mobility savings calculator to customize a plan based on the speed, features, and number of wireless devices you need. For even more savings, be on the lookout for the latest offers: right now, you can get the first six months of Microsoft 365 free when you subscribe with select Advantage Mobility bundles².

5. Seek out top talent, regardless of location

One clear benefit to embracing hybrid work? It allows you to expand your applicant pool when hiring, empowering you to find the best fit for your company regardless of where they may be located. What’s more, offering prospective employees the flexibility to work remotely can also help you attract better candidates and lure top talent. Freeing yourself up to focus on fit instead of geographic location is one of the most exciting prospects for employers looking to embrace a hybrid model, and it all starts with having the proper infrastructure in place to support a remote workforce.

6. Find a reliable telecommunications partner

When going hybrid, finding the right telecommunications partner is a little like finding the right employee: you’re looking for a partner that’s reliable, easy to work with, and can deliver significant value for your company. With 24/7 technical support and world-class network outage protection, Rogers for Business is dedicated to keeping your business running. You’ll also have access to a team of dedicated Business Specialists who can work with you to help you build a custom package tailored to your company’s needs.

7. Streamline administrative tasks

Having a system in place that helps you spend less time on administrative work and more time on core business tasks won’t just save you time, it’ll also help save you money in the long run. From bundling your services into one convenient monthly bill to letting Microsoft Teams replace your office phones, increasing productivity goes hand-in-hand with reducing costs, no matter whether you and your staff are working on-site or at home.

8. Security is paramount

A security breach can prove costly—to your company’s productivity, yes, but also to your brand’s reputation. That’s why it’s crucial to ensure you have the proper safeguards in place to support a mobile workforce.

With network-level security, VPN connectivity that allows remote employees to securely access files while out of office, and built-in malware and DDoS protection, Rogers for Business helps protect your critical business operations as well as sensitive corporate or customer information. Meanwhile, adding a connectivity failsafe means you don’t have to worry about an outage causing costly downtime, unhappy customers and lost revenue—allowing you to sleep better at night knowing you’ve got a team looking out for your company’s best interests.

Rogers for Business is built for hybrid work. To learn more about the Rogers advantage and discover the collaboration and connectivity solutions that are right for you and your business, click here.

¹ Rogers was ranked first in the umlaut Mobile Data Performance audit in Q2, 2021. Visit https://www.umlaut.com/en/benchmarking/canada. Largest based on total square kilometers of Rogers 5G coverage compared to published coverage of other national networks.

² Offer includes one monthly subscription for a user license for Microsoft 365 – Business Basic free for the first 6 months when you sign up for Advantage Mobility 300 Mbps, 750 Mbps or Gigabit on a 3-year term. In month 7, the then current price of Microsoft 365 will apply (currently $9.24/month, subject to change). Services are offered pursuant to the Rogers Small Business Terms of Service (see rogers.com/terms).