[:de][:de][:de]Flexible working hours, digital team events, and meetings at the kitchen table: For many of us, working from home has long since become the norm. Studies suggest that productivity doesn't suffer from being away from the office – with the increased autonomy, employees appear to work just as efficiently as they do in-person (Bitkom Research, 2022).
This explains, among other things, why many companies are against a complete return to the office. hybrid working models that allow employees to combine home office and office days. The option to relocate the home office abroad via “workation” is also becoming a decisive benefit in the job advertisement.
While employees are exchanging rigid structures for freedom and self-determination, employers have the opportunity to transform their corporate culture – a “new normal” for everyone involved.
Read here about the challenges our customers face in such a process and how we implement sensible working models together. We would be happy to support you and your team in developing a flexible and productive working environment to create a solution that combines the advantages of both worlds.
The challenges of the “new normal”
If employees have different ideas about ideal work models, it's up to managers to determine the extent to which individual preferences are taken into account. People who value personal interaction in the office will find colleagues who prefer working from home.
The strong flexibilization of recent years makes the Return to fixed, uniform regulations difficult for both sides. The “new normal” – with all its positive qualities – also leads to new challenges in everyday working life:
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Many companies are already proving that hybrid working works. However, the "new normal" requires careful preparation and transparent communication. We are happy to support you and your team in addressing these challenges effectively.
Make a non-binding enquiry now!
Hybrid working – how it works
Our consultants are familiar with the implementation of hybrid working models. Thanks to many years of experience Experience at various management and employee levels As well as our psychological training, we are able to empathize with the problems faced by managers, employees, and organizations. Rather than providing you with a pre-defined guideline, we analyze your company's current situation individually before developing action plans. We generally advise clients in the areas of team development and leadership empowerment. Whether a comprehensive change process or merely targeted support is needed becomes clear during the initial project phase. In all cases, the goal is to provide long-term help for self-help.
Target group: employees
- Online interviews We make the best possible pre-selection of suitable applicants for you in order to make the selection process as efficient as possible for you.
- Online Assessment Center Depending on the company’s requirements, we develop individual virtual selection procedures.
- Virtual onboarding To make your corporate culture and values digitally accessible to new employees, we set up virtual onboarding processes.
An example: Online Assessment Center
Conducting selection processes virtually can provide decisive competitive advantages: High travel costs and complex planning are eliminated when participants from all over the world meet digitally in one room. On behalf of a client, we were able to lower the barriers to participation for international applicants and prioritize diversity by developing a virtual assessment center. The candidates met at a digital get-together, exchanged ideas, and then began working on individual and group tasks. Further examples of Online assessments can be found on our website.
Target group: managers
- Webinars/Training We prepare participants thematically, for example, to deal with special challenges (e.g. “How to lead in times of change?”, “Hybrid leadership” or “Virtual communication”).
- Peer case consultation Systematic consultations with a predefined discussion structure provide a framework for mutual exchange on professional questions and key topics. Colleagues learn to advise each other and work towards solutions.
- Individual coaching We support you with individual concerns that specifically relate to your area of responsibility and how you interact with your employees. You are your own best expert – we help you find the best solution through targeted questions and coaching tools.
An example: Virtual training program “Leading from a distance”
For the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), we were commissioned to set up a flexible and short-term training program to support team leaders in dealing with the challenges of "leading from a distance." Our "virtual support" included methods such as self-directed learning through Learn Nuggets, thematically based web trainings, and solution-oriented consultations. Participants learned how to use virtual leadership tools, conduct employee reviews and team meetings virtually, and maintain cohesion and motivation. Read more about how we were able to support the DAAD in establishing digital connectivity and cross-departmental networking in our Case “Leading from a Distance”.
Target group teams
- Team development Through individual workshops, we develop groups into teams that work together as one, thanks to a productive working atmosphere and clear goals and role allocation. Together with the participants, we analyze the group dynamics, discuss current challenges, and define measures to strengthen team spirit.
- Workshops In order to focus on the content and goal achievement, we plan and moderate workshops that we tailor in advance to your exact needs.
An example: team development
Recently, one of our clients merged two independent departments into one team. This resulted in conflicts and dissatisfaction, as the pandemic-related lack of in-office contact between employees meant there was insufficient contact. We were able to support the company with a customized team development process, bringing the parties together step by step. Interviews with all stakeholders were followed by a team analysis and parallel coaching sessions for managers. The concluding in-person team workshop brought about a breakthrough and a tremendous improvement in mutual understanding.
Target group organization
- Mission statement Shared values and identification with the company bring numerous benefits – including lower turnover and increased productivity. We will work with you to develop a shared mission statement and provide you with appropriate methodologies to assist with your subsequent integration into the company.
- Structural change & change management Change is often the only constant. To help you effectively set up and implement transformation processes, we support you with our psychological expertise. We always make sure to involve all stakeholders to ensure successful change management.
An example: New leadership model
Due to the changing working conditions caused by the pandemic, one of our clients needed a new leadership model. Through virtual interviews, workshops, and surveys, we were able to work together to determine which skills and knowledge are necessary to lead the company in the future. The goal is to create a healthy environment, avoid the blurring of boundaries, and promote a more agile way of working. Managers also want to set an example with regard to empathy and team spirit. A gap analysis shows which areas within the company still have room for improvement – small internal groups are now working intensively on these topics and regularly exchange ideas with our consultants. The implementation of the new leadership model has been underway for a year and a half and is already bearing fruit: The teams talk openly and honestly about challenges and problems in their daily work. At the same time, with the involvement of our partners KI.BIT and KI.TEST, we were able to develop a digital aptitude testing to help in the future selection of suitable managers.
A cultural change always means that companies have to thoroughly examine their own concepts, ideas and goals – this can take years. Nevertheless, the Investing in your own change. Companies that want to return entirely to old structures (e.g., 100% on-site service) will face a difficult future. Freedom and self-determination in the workplace, flexible working hours, and the option to relocate the home office abroad are particularly in high demand among younger generations. A rethink is urgently needed here to recruit—and retain—young talent.
If you would like to implement hybrid working models in your company, we would be happy to support you in the efficient and structured implementation of the entire process.
Definition: The term "new normal" describes the changes that have taken place in the world of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are likely to remain relevant in the future. In particular, the term refers to the increased use of hybrid work models that allow for a mix of remote and on-site work. In short, the "new normal" refers to a greater flexibility of the workplace in general.[:][:][:]
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