By William Copley, Founder and Managing Director, Armstrong Bell

With lockdown measures continuing to ease, the majority of UK SMEs are now facing the challenge of how and when to return to the office.

While social distancing measures will form part of this challenge, so will the likely resistance of team members who have proved that they can work just as well, if not better, from the comfort of their own home.

However, with large organisations like Barclays, Facebook and Twitter announcing a permanent remote working solution, more and more SMEs are starting to follow suit by maximising technology and connectivity solutions to create their own ‘new normal’.

For organisations who have only just got to grips with collaborative working platforms like Microsoft Teams or video conferencing tools like Zoom, a permanent move to remote or agile working will seem like a significant change.

So, what exactly should SMEs consider?

Understand Individual Needs

While many workers will be excited by the prospect of returning to the office, some won’t be. In fact, workers are more likely to feel apprehensive at the concept of transferring from the safety of their four walls to an office environment and will welcome a move to a more permanent remote working solution.

As employees have been isolated for a number of months, it is important to take into account how you will drive social interaction between team members and maintain a strong business culture.

Optimising collaborative working solutions will ensure team members can access everything they need to fulfil their role remotely, whilst enabling them to work alongside their colleagues on shared pieces of work.

The Hybrid Model

For the majority of SMEs, a ‘return to work’ strategy will include the development of a ‘hybrid model’ that enables employees to split their time between working in the office and working from home.

To ensure this succeeds, business owners need to maximise technology to create a Connected Workspace that ensures their workforce can participate when they want, from where they want with almost anyone.

From providing the right IT equipment via laptops and business mobile phones, to implementing a central cloud-based storage system to ensure team members can easily collaborate, it is important to get the basics of connectivity right to create a smart working environment that actually works.

Other key considerations include optimising technology to enable staff members to deliver the same work across multiple locations, together with the installation of a sophisticated telephone system to ensure calls transferred from the office to mobiles, and back again, are seamless.

Simple, Fast and Flexible Solutions

The development of cohesive Connected Workspaces is made possible with Simple, Fast and Flexible telecoms and connectivity solutions.

When employees have a system that is enabled for mobility, supported by messaging and integrated into meetings and team collaboration, they have a simple way to build strong relationships with colleagues and customers, all from the comfort of their home.

A digital working environment that is securely connected with improved reliability regardless of workspace or location will not only maintain business operations but will also ensure businesses can quickly adapt to current challenges, market trends or customer requirements.

Despite its challenges, COVID-19 has accelerated some significant and powerful changes for many SMEs; forcing millions to see the benefits of digital change through sheer lack of choice and rapid deployment.

Regardless of how and where work is now completed, the concept of Connected Workspaces is, therefore, here to stay; driving a new agile way of working where employees are measured by outputs, not time spent at their desk, which for many presents a new and exciting realm of possibility.