Are We Prepared for the New Era of Company Culture Defined by Flexibility & Hybrid Models?

This is the monthly newsletter from Your FLOCK the employee feedback platform

Written by Dan Sodergren Tedx speaker who loves to talk about the future of work, technology, AI and society.?

Welcome to the future of work!?

In this candid and insightful newsletter edition, I will dive deep into critical components like flexible work, hybrid working arrangements, and company culture—all essential aspects of the continuously evolving future of work. And apols if any of the last newsletter were more about me using #GPT4 - they were meant to go out privately.?

This newsletter is about the future of work and company culture.?

Reading many different newsletters from some amazing people and organisations it seems the world's on the brink of new possibilities brought by this new found flexibility. It makes me excited to witness how organisations around the globe are now adopting flexible work policies.?

For example, Twitter allowed its employees to work remotely indefinitely [1]. Companies have seen undeniable productivity boosts resulting from these policy changes—for remote software developers during WFH conditions, productivity increased by 20% [1]. It makes me wonder what potential lies ahead if more businesses follow suit!

Another thrilling aspect is our perhaps forgotten need for constant learning in a digitised world. While many technology pioneers—myself included—emphasised automating tasks and increasing efficiency, we might sometimes underestimate the power of human creativity and ingenuity.?

Complementing technological advancements with emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and collaboration skills[3] will play an enormous part in reshaping the job market. This is not just about AI and computers, this is about HOW humans use these new found abilities to change the world.?

Hybrid Work: Finding Middle Ground Through Collaboration

Ah, the fascinating balance between traditional face-to-face interactions and virtual connectivity! Imagine trying to please everyone while considering each team member’s needs—no easy task. Bridging both worlds requires compromise—an act of understanding individual preferences and effective communication strategies, ultimately leading to trust-building within teams [7].

My motto for success? Is changing. As the world is constantly in flux. So let's honour our unique characteristics and find ways to merge them gracefully—even when it comes to our work environments. Results appear promising when openness prevails, so why not give it a shot? I was “all in” with remote work. But the data is showing more and more people need time in the office.?

But is it time enough to justify an office and the central business districts and the prices and costs of this both economically and environmentally and socially. The court is still out but the prices for office space do tell a story. But back to things we can control like company culture and our own mindsets about the future.?

Company Culture: Creating Spaces We Look Forward To

Transitions can be daunting, so it's essential to create a safe haven for our workforce. Regardless of physical distance, businesses must prioritise social connections [9] and demonstrate they genuinely value their employees' well-being.

As I reflect on this journey towards flexible work and hybrid models, I can't help but think of the importance of tackling employee burnout. Research points out that promoting interaction among coworkers, implementing flexible scheduling options, and designing comfortable workspaces [9] directly correlate with improved productivity.

At one of our amazing YourFLOCK events, this month, we discussed fostering employee engagement and productivity in the hybrid workplace era.?

“Huge thanks to the speakers Angela Prentner Smith, Nikki Scrivener and Lisa LLoyd for their wisdom on the day.”

The conversation highlighted the significance of open communication, encouraging teams to collaborate while providing autonomy to individuals. By focusing on each employee's unique strengths, values, and motivations, organisations can foster a collaborative environment that enhances engagement and nurtures mental health [10].

Our Role: Collaborating & Supporting Organisations Together

As your trusted partner, my team at YourFLOCK remains committed to helping companies ride the tides of change successfully. We strongly believe in understanding employee values and delivering tailored strategies that foster engagement and resilience.

Together, let’s shape the future of work into one that is inclusive, innovative, and adaptable—creating opportunities for growth, development, and success!

Thank you for accompanying me on this fantastic voyage through the ever-challenging world of work. Next month we will have a new event - which I would love you to sign up to too.?

You can sign up through your LinkedIn profile with one click.?

And also on eventbrite - if you would like access to the recording as well - just in case you can’t make it to the LinkedIn live.?

Why should you care about creating a positive company culture??

Because the latest research figures are STARK as:?

"30% of new employees leave their jobs within the first 90 days of getting hired. This has been shown to cost on average between 6-9 months’ salary to replace them, taking into account recruiting and training. This doesn’t account for lost productivity, and it can creep much higher at leadership level." (11)?

Keeping close to your new hires is crucial - does your organisation have a rigorous onboarding process and feedback mechanism in place? And keeping your people is going to be a superpower in the new world.?

Which is kinda why we built YourFLOCK the employee feedback platform. And we are going to need those superpowers in the future of work - as the machines are coming!!! So here’s to you all before the next edition.?

And remember that if you are reading this before Friday 19th of May - then you too can…?

Discover the Exclusive Formula Behind 3x Higher Employee Retention Rates!

As I invite you to “Revolutionising Employee Retention: The Success Story of Sixty Eight People” A free online event THIS Friday.?

A special 15-minute presentation that dives into the successful partnership between YourFLOCK - the employee feedback platform and Sixty Eight People, a leading hospitality recruitment, training, and consultancy firm.

Find out how they did it....?

How did they get an employee retention level three times the industry standard??

Come to our #LinkedInLive event online and find out.?

Come along on the day - Friday at - 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM?

Hope you enjoyed this month’s newsletter.? Do find out more about Your FLOCK at our website.

About The Author.?

Ted X talker, keynote speaker, ex marketing agency owner, digital trainer, serial tech startup founder and now media spokesperson Dan Sodergren's main area of interest is the future of work, remote work,data, green tech and tech startups.?

He is co-founder of www.YourFLOCK.co.uk He is also a host and guest on podcasts and webinars/ Usually speaking as a futurist. As well as being a guest on countless radio shows. And a remote reporter / content creator for tech companies at tech events and shows.?

His main interest is in the future. Be that the future of marketing, or the future or work or how technology will change the world for the better under the #Tech4Good and #Tech4All movement. Find out more on bit.ly/DanSodergren??

About Your FLOCK.

IS HYBRID WORKING FOR YOUR BUSINESS??

? Use Your FLOCK. Start in minutes.?

? Based on leading psychological research.?

? Maximise the productivity of hybrid working.?

Organisations like yours use Your FLOCK to help them.

Find out more at www.YourFLOCK.co.uk

References for this month’s newsletter.?

[1] Firstbase (2023). Future of Work Roundup - Week of May 8. https://www.firstbase.com/blog/future-of-work-roundup-week-of-may-8

[2] Firstbase (2023). Future of Work Roundup - Week of May 15. https://www.firstbase.com/blog/future-of-work-roundup-week-of-may-15

[3] World Economic Forum (2023) The Future of Jobs Report 2023. https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/digest

[4] Raconteur (No Date). Downturn Recruiters & Creative Talent, https://raconteur.net/talent-culture/downturn-recruiters-creative-talent/

[5] Gallup (2023). Why Quiet - Breaking the Workplace Taboo of Silence. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/474236/why-quiet-breaking-workplace-taboo-silence.aspx

[6] One Useful Thing (No Date). Catastrophe & Eucatastrophe. https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/catastrophe-eucatastrophe?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

[7] Make Work Better (No Date). Compromise is The Only Way to Make Hybrid Work...Work. https://makeworkbetter.substack.com/p/compromise-is-the-only-way-to-make?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

[8] Washington Post (2023). Mark Zuckerberg & Meta Layoffs. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/04/30/mark-zuckerberg-meta-layoffs/

[9] Archive.ph (2023). Employee Burnout Strategies. https://archive.ph/9OQCT

[10] YourFLOCK (2023) Fostering Employee Engagement & Productivity in The Hybrid Workplace Era.?

https://yourflock.co.uk/blog/the-amazing-yourflock-event-and-our-discussion-on-fostering-employee-engagement-productivity-in-the-hybrid-workplace-era/

[11]? Retention problems? | How to stop the 90 day employee?

https://www.hrgrapevine.com/content/article/retention-problems-how-to-stop-the-90-day-employee-new-street-consulting-group?source=newsletter&utm_source=template-pardot-2304-v5&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=hr-17-05-23&utm_content=insights&utm_term=Retention+problems%3F?