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Outlook A year in review - 2020 vision


With two forced lockdowns and widespread home and remote working, 2020 has certainly been unpredictable. With many companies making shifts not only in their physical environments but in workplace culture, the pandemic has served as a catalyst for the rate of workplace change. As we look back at what has been an unprecedented year, what hot topics have emerged in 2020? Ascentae’s Jon Knight looks back at 2020 and highlights key considerations for 2021.


At the start of the pandemic many argued that technology was going to become even more important to sup- port the growing number of remote workers. However, technology is also playing a big part in facilitating effec- tive workplace practices too – socially distancing at work will be with us for the foreseeable future and employees need reassurance that their employ- ers are taking appropriate measures to mitigate risk and meet Government criteria.


As business leaders develop plans for a safe return to office life, a key consid- eration will be their ability to comply with Government guidance on manag- ing the flow of people in and out of the building. This applies to employees, but organisations also have a duty to protect visitors to their buildings and ensure they can be safely welcomed and hosted during their stay. As organisations continue to plan their return to work, we shouldn’t un- derestimate the role technology will play in ensuring workforce safety. Companies are now recognizing the need to closely control building occu- pancy and be proactive in planning the number of employees in the office at any time. Desk booking tools like Go- Bright are fast becoming essential, so employees can book desks in advance and occupancy levels can be carefully monitored. These tools also provide the company with useful data on oc- cupancy trends and patterns of be- havour, for proactive planning around space requirements.


Hybrid working Arguably


the most used phrase of 2020 behind ‘social distancing’ and ‘you’re muted’, ‘hybrid working’ has become a buzz word in the AV industry. The term refers to a workforce that is split between working virtually, using


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video meetings and conference calls, and being in the office. For those shar- ing physical office space, the ability to stay productive whilst being socially distanced is key. In meeting rooms ev- eryone needs to be heard regardless of proximity, and those working remote- ly need to feel fully included and in- volved.


Over the past 12 months most of- fice-based organisations have seen a huge culture shift and many discov- ered they could continue to work ef- fectively, even during a global crisis. But as companies begin to develop longer term workplace strategies, there is a clear need to identify solutions to support a hybrid business model that protects staff whilst allowing them to operate efficiently.


In the past it was usual to hold meet- ings with most people physically in the meeting room, and occasional re- mote additions. A recent study by Cis- co indicated 98% of meetings going forward will have at least one remote


participant. So, meeting rooms will al- most always need to be video enabled to support those working from home or remotely.


Organisations must focus on creating workspaces that support hybrid meet- ings, providing office based and remote workers the choice to work at home or in the office. Investing in good quality in-room hardware improves the virtual meeting or conference call experience so everyone feels safe, engaged, seen and listened to. Recent technology developments such as Nureva’s Micro- phone Mist help ensure no matter how big the room and where people are in the room, their voice is heard, and everyone can safely collaborate with their remote colleagues.


Social Hub – the Coffee Shop Effect


The coronavirus pandemic has obvi- ously accelerated the move towards remote working. We know that many


In the future, employees will no longer just come to the office because they are told to do so. Provide environments that are welcoming, safe and highly collaborative with access to technologies and tools that are unavailable to a remote worker.


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