hybrid work

Corporate CPR Episode 125: How Ignoring the Work-From-Home Trends Might Be Killing Your Company

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about howignoring the work-from-home trends might be killing your company.

Denis O’Shea is the founder and chairman of Mobile Mentor, a global leader in the endpoint ecosystem. Founded in New Zealand in 2004, the company empowers people to achieve more with their devices. In 2017, O’Shea moved to Nashville to focus on securing the mobile workforce in the US. He has partnered with industry leaders like Nokia, Citrix, and Microsoft, earning the Global Partner of the Year Award for Endpoint Management. A former global executive with Nokia, O’Shea has extensive international business experience. He is passionate about international business, fly-fishing, and playing guitar.

Key Discussion Points:

  • Stagnant Hybrid Work Configuration but Shifting Attitudes: Despite the pandemic subsiding, the configuration of hybrid work has remained unchanged over the last two years. However, employees’ attitudes have significantly shifted, with increased focus on personal well-being, productivity, and privacy, while company culture has become less important.
  • Challenges with Remote Work Onboarding and Security: Remote onboarding continues to be problematic, with employees struggling to set up devices and get necessary support. Younger employees are using unsecured personal devices and practicing lax password management, leading to potential security breaches.
  • Discrepancies in Productivity and Preferences Across Generations: Gen Z employees, who began their careers during the pandemic, prefer office environments for better productivity and support. They exhibit more casual attitudes towards data security, unlike older generations who prioritize company and personal data security more highly.
  • Generational Differences in Data Sharing Attitudes: Younger generations, particularly Millennials, are more willing to share personal data in exchange for convenience and insights. This contrasts with older generations, who tend to be more cautious about data privacy and security.
  • Effective Communication About Data Privacy in Companies: Companies should reframe security messages with a focus on personal privacy to better engage employees. Emphasizing the protection of personal data resonates more with employees than using terms like compliance and risk.

Top Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Hybrid work is here to stay. Research shows that hybrid work is now a permanent fixture in the workplace. Companies need to invest more in making hybrid work environments secure, productive, and cohesive.
  2. There is still much to do in enabling and empowering hybrid workers with the right technology. It’s an ongoing journey for everyone involved, including organizations like Mobile Mentor, to figure out and optimize hybrid work setups.
  3. The process of improving hybrid work is both challenging and enjoyable. With increasing numbers of clients and partners working in hybrid configurations across various geographies and time zones, it’s crucial to remain passionate and engaged in making hybrid work successful.

How to Connect with Denis:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisosheamobilementor/

Website: https://www.mobile-mentor.com/

Corporate CPR Episode 96: Whether You Should Be Considering Return To Work

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about whether you should be considering return to work.

Doug Camplejohn, a seasoned tech executive and entrepreneur, is the Founder and CEO of Airspeed, a platform for enhancing employee connections and recognition. With leadership experience at LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Salesforce, Doug is also an investor and advisor to startups. He’s a frequent speaker at industry events and is passionate about leveraging technology for innovation and improvement. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University.

Episode Highlights:

  1. Return to Work Dynamics: The discussion on returning to work highlights diverse perspectives, including those in favor, against, and undecided on the matter.
  2. Motivations for Returning to Work: The motivations behind companies pushing for a return to the office are explored, including factors like real estate concerns, habit, and potential mistrust.
  3. Flexibility and Hybrid Work: The importance of workplace flexibility is emphasized, exemplified by Apple’s approach of making remote work an earned privilege based on performance.
  4. Fostering Connection: Strategies for fostering connection in remote and hybrid work environments are discussed, including techniques like Ice Breakers, which help team members get to know each other on a personal level beyond work-related discussions.
  5. Building Relationships and Mentorship: Building relationships in a remote work setting can be challenging, but it’s essential for mentorship and personal growth. The conversation suggests that employees should proactively seek out mentors and engage with colleagues through tools like virtual meetings and apps designed for connecting people.
  6. Remote Work Offers a Global Talent Pool:  The ability to hire talent from around the world is a major benefit of remote work. This global talent pool allows companies to find and employ individuals with the skills they need without being restricted to a specific geographic location.
  7. Work-Life Harmony: Companies should emphasize “work-life harmony” rather than “work-life balance.” Remote work allows employees to have more flexibility in managing their work schedules to accommodate personal commitments, ultimately leading to happier and more balanced lives.

Doug’s Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. You can’t leave culture to chance; you have to be deliberate. 
  2. Culture isn’t about words on a plaque. People are everything. 
  3. The role of startup CEOs, and even managers in larger corporations, is MVP (Money, Vision, People). 

For More Info About Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

https://b.link/corporatecpr

How to connect with Doug:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camplejohn/

Email: d@getairspeed.com