How hybrid and remote work are reshaping our spaces

By Ahmad Zureiki, Director of Collaboration Business, Cisco Middle East and Africa

The work environment – both globally and regionally – is no longer confined to a single space or device anymore. It’s flexible, it’s mobile, it’s hybrid. Business leaders are becoming more aware of the fact that their employees are their #1 asset, and that means finding ways to both accommodate employee priorities and reimagine the workplace to improve remote work. Ever since the pandemic, we are seeing more and more development and changes in how these spaces are being restructured to bring out the best possible outcomes for everyone. 

Office Culture – Not Space – Will Be Key to Keeping Talent

As hybrid work becomes mainstream, the office needs to become a destination not only for in-person collaboration but also for socializing and building community, catering more directly to connectedness, and changing needs. 

The below data found in Cisco’s Hybrid Work Report in the UAE further exemplifies how employers and employees alike are embracing the model more to make their work experience more efficient. 

• 67% of employees in the UAE mention that the quality of work has improved due to hybrid work
• 77% believe that networking infrastructure is essential for a seamless working experience irrespective of location 
• 85.7% say hybrid work has made them happier
• Almost 83% of UAE respondents say that their role can now be performed just as successfully remotely as in the office

Offices Will Be Designed to Inspire

59% of millennials want the opportunities to learn and grow to be a top workplace priority and will stay longer at companies that offer those opportunities, according to a workplace study by Gallup. 

As a result, the office of the future will offer unique experiences and a physical layout found nowhere else, designed to gain insights from the time employees spend together. Aspects might include:

• Private booths with data integration that allow workers to move around easily
• Permanent and flexible desk spaces
• Breakout zones that support virtual and in-person collaboration
• Intuitive touch displays that let employees control their Webex collaboration devices, check workspace availability, book a meeting room, manage peripherals, and run third-party applications from wayfinding, digital signage, and other elements of the workspace experience

Workspaces Will Suit Specific Tasks

From office to home, workspaces will be designed around specific tasks. Generation Z, for instance, rejects the office solely as an instrument of career advancement. Instead, they view it as a place to collaborate, build relationships, and have unique experiences

An Office (or Zen) Space on Wheels

Autonomous driving and Internet of Things (IoT) are transforming cars into roving multipurpose spaces, with technology that offers passengers the chance to catch up on work or simply relax on the commute home

– The Middle East and Africa self-driving car market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 46.6%, leading to global revenue of USD 18.94 Bn by 2024. Globally, 55% of small businesses believe they are going to have a fully autonomous fleet within the next two decades

How car design will change to accommodate work 

• Gas pedals and steering wheels that are available for leisure use and disappear during autonomous use 
• Surrounding screens that are 5G – connected to enable video collaboration, work, or entertainment
• Customizable interiors that transition from seats into works surfaces as needed

Home Offices Will Be Self-Contained

In contrast to the in- person workplace’s experiential focus, the home office will be all about productivity. This will take the form of a small office space separated from the rest of the house to avoid distractions – a quiet, focused area that’s personalized to suit individual preferences. 

Hybrid work that is centered around the work people do, not where they do it is becoming more of a possibility with companies including Cisco, working on enhancing their tools and products to make it a more seamless and efficient experience.