Suzanne Murphy
Suzanne is a former Content Marketing Manager of Wrike.
The great ‘remote work experiment’ proved to organizations that productivity from home is possible. More than that, many leaders were pleasantly surprised at how well their business and workforce adapted to remote work. However, now that we're in full swing as far as remote work goes, it's time for another shift. This time, the focus is on flexibility and hybrid work strategies that accommodate both in-office and remote workers, allowing them to thrive in the post-pandemic era of work. So if hybrid is the future, how will it work in practice? Last year saw an acceleration of digital transformation to accommodate remote work, but this transition was not without its challenges. While the nature of work has always been complex, the recent proliferation of software, apps, remote employees, and now hybrid workforces have upped the ante again. A recent Citrix survey found that 64% of workers use more communication and collaboration tools than before the pandemic, and 71% say this has made work more complex. Cue frustrations, employee burnout, and decreases in engagement and productivity. Even with these complexities, nearly 90% of respondents want the flexibility to continue to work at home and in the office post-pandemic. So what needs to change? These are the themes we’ll be exploring in the build-up to our industry-leading work management conference, Collaborate. Tackling the change While pre-pandemic trends suggested that a more flexible approach to the traditional office was imminent, progress was slow, and many industries struggled to align their needs to a dispersed workforce. The pandemic forced millions of businesses to close their physical doors and facilitate a predominantly remote workforce. Now, as we face a return to the office over the next several months, employers and employees alike are starting to envisage the ideal flexible workplace. 83% of workers say a hybrid model is optimal, and over half of employees plan to work from home more regularly than they previously did after restrictions are lifted, according to a Gallup poll. The next era of work will demand flexibility for employees, remote and hybrid work options, asynchronous work, a focus on avoiding burnout, increased work-life balance, and the ability to switch off. Employers must determine how to facilitate these workplace demands and what tools businesses need to support the flexible workplace of the future. Moving “Forward Together” With that in mind, our theme for Collaborate 2021 is “Forward Together.” After a challenging year for everyone, it’s time to look at the positive and negative effects of the pandemic on workplace dynamics and how they will impact the future of the workplace. Companies need new strategies and solutions to prepare for the future of ever-increasing workplace complexities and expectations of employees and customers. An organization’s success depends on how well they support, empower, and connect employees to work collaboratively from anywhere. We know that the next era of work is collaborative, but how can we ensure togetherness and flexibility in the workplace going forward? The short answer is that we need to reduce complexity to enable everyone to do their best work. We can do this by adopting tools that centralize and simplify work, enabling the workforce to work as one. We need to explore the latest advancements in AI, automation, and cloud collaborative work management technologies that make it possible for organizations to thrive. We also need to look outward and leverage industry insight and data to achieve a flexible, digital workplace. That’s why at Collaborate, we’re looking at flexibility holistically, starting at the top with how leadership and workplace infrastructure impact the workforce for better or worse. The key is to create a space for adaptability so businesses are resilient in the face of unforeseen challenges while also catering to employee well-being. Supporting teams to move “Forward Together” at Collaborate 2021 Collaborate 2021 is an industry-leading conference focusing on collaborative work management and building the workplace of tomorrow. Presenters and attendees will explore the big topics surrounding collaborative work management in a hybrid world and how we can move “Forward Together.” So far, the line-up includes: Technical and executive presentations from the world’s foremost experts on the next era of work. Exciting keynotes from Wrike senior executives, celebrity guests, and industry experts. Breakout sessions on the strategies and use cases that will enable teams to thrive in 2021 and beyond. An incredible schedule of speakers from exciting big-name brands. Last year, we welcomed Apple, Nickelodeon, Siemens, and many more. A best-in-class virtual conference experience, including virtual booths, spot prizes, raffles, interactive entertainment, and more. Register for Collaborate 2021
Wrike’s renowned work management conference is back, so get ready to experience a virtual event like no other. Collaborate 2021 will be even more informative and insightful than last year with speakers from the biggest global brands, industry expertise, and technical insights to help you and your organization unlock the full potential of your enterprise. Remember the incredible speaker lineup last year? Apple, Nickelodeon, DISH, and Siemens were just some of the companies we heard from, and this year promises to be even bigger. We’re putting together a best-in-class virtual conference experience, and of course, we’ve got some great prizes, too. The 4th annual Wrike Collaborate conference is set for this October 19-21, and we’re excited to offer our customers and industry partners an unmissable free virtual event. Registration is open now. Moving “Forward Together” Last year’s conference theme — “Work As One” — offered attendees ways to break down the silos within their organizations and learn how to leverage Wrike to build unified and truly Agile enterprises in a remote environment. This year, our theme is “Forward Together.” After a difficult year, we’re focusing on the positive impact that the pandemic has had on workplace dynamics, specifically embracing flexibility and the importance of work-life balance. We’re all working hard to build new strategies and find the right solutions to power the hybrid workplace. An organization’s ability to succeed depends on how well they support, empower, and connect employees to work collaboratively from anywhere. But how do you leverage the right technology to elevate your employees out of the repetitive, manual tasks to focus on meaningful work that will drive the business forward? How can you ensure you’re adapting to employee needs, as opposed to the other way around? How do you enable them to do the best work of their lives no matter where they’re located? We’re looking forward to exploring these questions in depth at Collaborate 2021 as we support teams to optimize their digital workspace to make work a better experience for everyone. Why attend Collaborate 2021? At this year’s conference, you’ll have the opportunity to: Learn how to conquer common workplace challenges, including working remotely and in hybrid work environments. Explore how to optimize processes to enhance productivity, transparency, and collaboration. Hear from industry leaders on how they’ve helped their teams achieve hyper-growth goals despite workplace challenges. Attend sessions with industry luminaries to explore real-world, practical strategies for your business. What can you expect at Collaborate 2021? Collaborate 2021 will explore the big topics surrounding collaborative work management in a hybrid world, with an agenda that covers: Technical and executive presentations from the world’s foremost experts on the future of work. Breakout sessions focused on the strategies and use cases that will enable teams to thrive in 2021 and beyond. Partner-led sessions dedicated to helping you get more from the collaborative work management ecosystem. Last year we had more than 5,000 people sign up for the event, and this year we plan on doubling that, so make sure you sign up today. Register for collaborate 2021.
The key to success moving forward is choosing digital collaboration solutions that integrate with your organization’s most essential tools. With SharePoint and Wrike, you can enjoy effective file sharing and collaboration.
The infographic below lists some important reminders and crucial stats about how sleep can positively affect the way we work on a daily basis. Read the tips and put them into practice to start catching some quality Zzzs!
