Why CIOs Must Make Intelligent Hybrid Workplace Collaboration Solutions a Strategic Priority

Jacques Bertrand

Executive Vice President of Crestron Asia

According to recent research, the majority of employees (84%) frequently have meetings with at least one remote participant. Despite this trend, a study conducted by EY found that 73% of employees felt that they require better technology in the workplace to accommodate flexible working, specifically advanced video conferencing technology. Furthermore, with hybrid work increasingly becoming a prerequisite for employees, a lack of flexible working options has caused 71% of workers to leave their jobs.
CIO World Asia Spoke with Jacques Bertrand, Executive Vice President of Crestron Asia, on how in addition to looking at IT infrastructures and enterprise systems, CIOs should also make collaborative hybrid workplace technology in the office a strategic priority.

Importance Of Having The Right Intelligent Solution In Place.

According to a recent survey conducted by Crestron, it was discovered that the majority of meetings in today’s workplace are hybrid in nature, with 84% of employees regularly participating in meetings that involve at least one remote participant. However, the survey also revealed that more than 60% of employees reported difficulties in fully engaging with both remote and in-room participants, which had a negative impact on their overall meeting experience. 

These findings indicate that the lack of appropriate meeting room technology can create challenges for teams to remain connected to one another, to leadership, and to the company’s culture, regardless of their work location. Therefore, it is imperative for companies to adopt intelligent workplace solutions that can provide a seamless, one-touch meeting experience for all employees, whether they are present in-person or remotely. By doing so, companies can ensure that their employees remain engaged, productive, and connected with each other, regardless of their physical location.

The Importance of Unified Solutions for Collaboration, Employee Equity, Work-Life Balance, Workplace Culture, and Talent Retention

In a hybrid work environment, seamless collaboration across teams and platforms is crucial, and this can be achieved through unified solutions. By working on a single integrated platform, employees can avoid the need to switch between multiple systems, which would maximize their efficiency and productivity, while also providing them with greater work-life balance. Microsoft’s survey showed that 43% of remote workers and 44% of hybrid employees felt excluded in meetings, leading to disengagement. 

However, this problem can be addressed through the implementation of unified solutions, which promote inclusivity. For instance, meeting rooms with smart cameras, microphones, and audio systems, together with remote workers equipped with the appropriate collaboration tools, can lead to engaging and inclusive meetings for all participants, regardless of their location. This approach can enhance employee equity and workplace culture, leading to better retention rates and the attraction of new talent to the organization.

Enabling Global Talent Integration: The Role of Intuitive Solutions

In the present-day competition for talent, it is crucial for companies to have intelligent solutions that enable human connections across locations and geographies, not only to integrate remote workers but also to attract talent from around the world. The hybrid model has introduced new terms such as “equal pixel real estate” and “meeting equity.” One of the most common reasons why remote workers disengage from meetings is that they feel disconnected from the conversation, leading to a sense of being unheard and unseen. In a typical meeting room setup, remote participants often face challenges such as the inability to see everyone at the table, read body language, or perceive non-verbal cues, in addition to poor audio quality. 

To create a great hybrid workplace experience, intelligent solutions such as a multi-camera automated AI-powered switching system that tracks and frames the person speaking can have a profound impact on remote participants by providing them with a view similar to in-person meeting attendees. Additionally, synchronized multiple displays can keep everyone engaged and are another important aspect of an intelligent workplace solution that ultimately drives workplace equity and ensures equal pixel real estate for remote workers. These solutions are critical not only for integrating remote workers but also for attracting talent from any location.

The Vital Role CIOs Play In Making This Modern, Intelligent Hybrid Workplace a Reality

CIOs have a crucial role to play in promoting the adoption of modern intelligent hybrid workplace technologies. Our survey indicates that nearly 50% of IT leaders have taken steps to enhance the quality of their collaboration tools, while 71% plan to replace their collaboration platform within the next year. 

Although the workplace environment is constantly changing, and many organizations have yet to establish formal hybrid work policies, it is encouraging to see that IT teams are prioritizing flexible and scalable technology solutions that enable collaboration and platform consistency for employees, regardless of their location. Since hybrid work is becoming increasingly prevalent, it is critical that more CIOs prioritize the implementation of intelligent solutions to ensure that their organization’s employees can collaborate effectively, regardless of their location, within an environment that supports well-being and productivity.

In conclusion, the hybrid work model has become an integral part of the modern workplace, with a majority of employees regularly participating in meetings that involve at least one remote participant. However, the lack of appropriate meeting room technology can create challenges for teams to remain connected to one another and to the company’s culture, regardless of their work location. Therefore, adopting intelligent workplace solutions that provide a seamless, one-touch meeting experience for all employees is imperative. 

These solutions not only promote inclusivity and enhance workplace culture but also enable global talent integration, which is crucial in the present-day competition for talent. CIOs play a vital role in making this modern, intelligent hybrid workplace a reality by prioritizing the implementation of flexible and scalable technology solutions that enable collaboration and platform consistency for employees, regardless of their location. By doing so, companies can ensure that their employees remain engaged, productive, and connected with each other, within an environment that supports their well-being and productivity.