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No matter how you approach it, it's obvious that workplace collaboration has been permanently altered. For nearly two years, teams that required in-office collaboration were forced to collaborate remotely instead. And, surprisingly, most employees preferred this need-based evolution. So much so that many employees are requesting to remain remote, even as their employers are urging them to come back to the office. Even more of them are asking for a hybrid solution – three days in the office, two days working remotely, and so on. In fact, 71% of employees want a hybrid or remote working style, after the pandemic is officially over

 

And companies are responding. In fact, 40% of companies are expected to redesign their work models to support a hybrid workforce. But how do you support them effectively, especially when it comes to technology and hardware? In this blog, we'll endeavor to answer that question. 

 

Define What Your Hybrid Teams Need 

Not every remote worker needs the same support. Each one has unique needs and goals when they show up for work. That's why we've listed five "employee profiles" that encompass some common needs hybrid workers have. While they're not industry-specific, they should give you a good starting point.  

 

Space Switcher: This employee is constantly on the go. Whether it's in their house or on the road, they are your movers and shakers, never staying in one spot for too long. They usually prefer hybrid work. 

 

Volatile Environmentalist: They have external factors that frequently disrupt their workflows, such as small children, noisy roommates, or an unexpected repair person. Your typical work-from-home parent or guardian would fit this category.  

 

Overloaded Caller: This employee manages a large call-load and must balance multiple collaborative needs – think IT or customer service representatives. While many companies prefer to have these types of employees in the office, many have begun working in a hybrid or fully remote capacity. 

 

Multi-Device Manager: They prioritize having the best time-saving devices and look for seamless experiences between multiple devices. This employee can be anywhere but is usually found in hybrid or in-office situations. 

 

Poly-Platform Performer: This employee is constantly looking for ways to optimize their workflows across different platforms – like a salesperson ensuring their CRM is integrated with their call tracking system. Thanks to VoIP services, the poly-platform performer can be found in any work environment. 

 

Deploy the Right Solutions to Meet Their Needs 

Now that we've placed your employees into need-based categories, it's time to find and implement the right solutions for them. With over 20 years of experience in communication collaboration, NTS Direct is ready to help! We've included a few of our top recommendations for each "employee profile" below: 

 

For the Space Switcher: The Portable Workstation 

This single-device solution can support any remote worker who is constantly on the go. It's easy to set up and take down and you can do so without any assistance from your IT department. With its extensive DECT range, it allows the user to move freely around their workspace – whether their hotel room, home, or office – without losing audio quality. 

 

For the Volatile Environmentalist: The Busy Signal 

Employees that struggle with in-home distractions will deeply appreciate that this product is equipped with cutting-edge noise-canceling technology allowing them to hear and be heard clearly despite their surroundings. It also has a busy light that's automatically activated when they're on a call, letting others know they're not to be disturbed.  

For the Overloaded Caller: The Effortless Management (Remote, Hybrid, and In-Office

Simple connection is the name of the game with these hardware options. No need to fiddle with any EHS cable to connect their wireless headset to their desk phone – it can be connected right out of the box! 

 

Each solution is packed with an extensive feature library and allows users to control and manage calls quickly and efficiently. If your IT and customer support teams are looking for a seamless UC experience, this is it.  

 

For the Multi-Device Manager & the Poly-Platform Performer: The UC Powerhouse 

An everything-in-one solution, this powerhouse acts as a collaboration workstation, allowing users to easily manage phone calls, connect multiple devices (like desk phones, mobile phones, and even laptop softphones), and charge mobile phones. 

 

It can also act as a speakerphone if the employee needs a hands-free option. Its intuitive call controls also empower the user to manage calls from multiple platforms and devices quickly and easily. 

 

While these are some of our top recommendations, we don't want you just buying the first option we've listed. Before making any purchases, be sure you ask the following questions:  

 

1) How IT-intensive is this product? Will it be easy for the employee to use? Can it be operated without extensive training or other additional expenses?  

2) Does it scale easily? Can you deploy this product to multiple team members quickly and easily? Can it be upgraded in a similar manner?  

3) Is it flexible enough? Will the product be able to support remote or hybrid workers effectively? And can they use it well right out of the gate?   

Thankfully, with all these recommendations, the answer is a resounding yes. 

 

Future-Proof Your Collaboration with NTS Direct 

No matter what work plan your employees prefer – in office, hybrid, or fully remote – NTS Direct has a solution for you! We're trained to recommend the best product for our customers, no matter what their use case or their budget constraints. After all, we're a licensed distributor for all the major phone and headset brands. 

 

So, if you're interested in improving your workplace collaboration, just reach out to us over the phone or via email and we'll be happy to get a meeting scheduled.