Best Strategies for Balancing Talent Retention and Client Satisfaction with Hybrid Work
At this moment of inflection, where what was known until now ceased to exist and has been transformed, the only way out is to adapt to the new reality, including considering a hybrid work model.
And who was our greatest ally in this unprecedented change? Technology.
Digital connectivity and its infinite possibilities have made possible something that would have taken years or even decades in another era.
Our generation has witnessed firsthand how this transformation impacts all industries, taking our teams and projects to new heights.
Like many other companies worldwide, Coderio quickly adapted to the change and embraced remote work.
This shift enabled us to hire collaborators from other countries and open opportunities across Latin America, a region rich in talent known for technical skills and adaptability.
What we build today will serve as the foundation of what is expected for the next 50 years. Keep reading to learn in-depth about the methodologies that large companies implement today, which we maintain will be the key to the future of work.
What talent looks for
As a fundamental part of our teams, we cannot ignore the preferences of our professionals, who are the driving force of the companies.
In a survey of more than 10,000 Latin American tech employees, we asked what motivates them, what they seek, and what they value about work. We aimed to understand the trends of current and future workers in terms of their professional growth.
These were their answers:
- 64% cannot imagine working for over 5 years in the same company.
- 84% choose flexible work instead of a fixed schedule.
- 68% opt for full remote work for flexibility and to save time and money on travel.
What motivates today’s young people to prefer to develop in several companies instead of making a career in the same one? The response was forceful:
- 48% seek to gain diverse experience
- 36% value rapid salary improvement
- 12% aspire to become consultants or freelancers
What are the advantages of remote work for respondents?
- Flexibility = 84.4%
- Savings of time and money on trips = 85.1%
What companies are looking for today?
We have seen what talent thinks up to this point. But, as we know, they are not the only actors in our daily lives. Companies, our clients, are a fundamental leg of our processes.
While employees choose to work remotely, 70% of companies prefer in-person work, according to a Gartner survey.
Organizations have several reasons for wanting their employees back in the office full-time. They cite team building, connection, and collaboration as suffering when employees do not work together in person.
Why do you choose to return to the offices? These are the reasons that companies give:
- Collaboration in person is more effective and efficient.
- Being physically in the office allows employees to work better, share ideas, and develop stronger relationships.
- A structured work environment without the potential distractions of working from home allows for greater productivity.
- Working in person enables faster feedback and more significant support.
- More training and development opportunities are available when people work together in person
- A strong sense of community is created around company values and a better employee experience when workers spend time together.
Hybrid work allows us to have it all: the autonomy of remote work and the social and cultural advantages of face-to-face contact.
But, while offering a hybrid model is relatively simple, making it a practical option for our company requires a lot of analysis and planning, in addition to demanding a higher level of assistance for those employees who find it challenging to adapt to this new way of working. Work is decentralized and distributed in different spaces.
How to implement hybrid work models
The modern workplace is evolving rapidly, with hybrid work leading the transformation. Hybrid work combines in-office and remote work, ensuring smooth operations and cohesion.
Companies aim to maintain team collaboration and satisfaction. Hybrid work is essential for this, benefiting employees, clients, and the environment. Leveraging technology, hybrid work allows flexible yet connected working conditions, enhancing work-life balance and productivity. This article will explore strategies to implement hybrid work successfully in your company. Discover how to lead the future of work effectively.
Different types of hybrid work model
Mostly remote
In this model, employees with the tools to work remotely can do so most of the time. This approach became popular during the pandemic when traveling by public transport and interacting with non-household members was unsafe. Many organizations, including Shopify and Upwork, have continued this system.
Occasionally in person
Companies continue to work remotely and are looking to take advantage of in-person meetings and team-building activities to foster collaboration. In this model, employees come to the office one or two days a week, allowing them to interact with their colleagues and participate in important meetings with their teams face-to-face.
Mostly in person
In this model, organizations prefer that most people work from the office, although they still offer a remote work policy. Some employees have the freedom to work from home when necessary, but this is not actively encouraged.
Hybrid role model
The hybrid role model offers a superior solution by combining the best of both worlds. It addresses client needs by providing the necessary equipment and expertise for projects at a lower cost.
On the other hand, we bring the best opportunities to the best talents. Latam’s potential remains invisible. Latin collaborators not only stand out for their technical quality but also for other values that are essential today to navigate the digital transformation:
- Resolution culture
- Ingenuity
- Push
- Passion
Historically, large projects have been limited by geography. However, with this hybrid system of work and leadership, boundaries no longer exist!
Let’s explore how we can take advantage of these trends, retain that talent, and respond to our clients’ demands below.
Benefits of Hybrid Work Models
Hybrid work models offer numerous benefits for employers and employees alike, including:
- Improved work-life balance
- Increased productivity
- Enhanced employee and client satisfaction
Assessing Your Organization’s Readiness
Starting a hybrid work model requires thoroughly checking your company’s readiness. This step helps you tackle any challenges and use your strengths well. Let’s look at the main areas to check:
Evaluating Infrastructure and Technology
Assess your client retention strategies and talent retention best practices. Do your workers have the tech and tools they need for work, whether at the office or from home? Find any missing pieces in your remote work flexibility and retention tactics to ensure the hybrid work goes smoothly.
Analyzing Company Culture and Values
A successful hybrid work model relies on a strong company culture that supports remote work flexibility and talent retention. Review your company’s values and see if they fit with hybrid work needs. Address any resistance to change and plan to build a culture that helps with client retention strategies and tactics.
Crafting a Hybrid Work Policy
Developing a solid hybrid work policy is crucial as work dynamics evolve. The policy should meet company needs and facilitate a smooth transition to new work models. It should promote career growth, focus on customer service, and manage talent effectively.
The policy should establish clear remote and in-office work guidelines, ensuring both teams collaborate seamlessly. Emphasize results over physical location.
It’s crucial to think about how employees can keep learning and growing. The policy should help them find new career opportunities and provide excellent customer service, no matter where they are. Trust and flexibility are vital for maximizing talent.
Fostering Collaboration and Communication
In today’s hybrid work environment, teams are often dispersed. Creating a collaborative culture and good communication is key. Using digital tools and remote communication strategies helps keep teams engaged and productive, regardless of location.
Leveraging Digital Collaboration Tools
Remote and hybrid work has made digital collaboration tools more popular. Tools like virtual whiteboards, project management platforms, video conferencing, and instant messaging help teams work together smoothly. These tools make it easy to share ideas, work on documents together, and keep everyone updated. This helps create sustainable work practices that go beyond physical distance.
Promoting Effective Remote Communication
Effective communication is crucial for hybrid work success. Leaders should establish clear communication channels, set expectations, and conduct regular check-ins. Teams can feel connected and valued by doing team-building activities online, giving regular feedback, and keeping an open conversation, leading to better client satisfaction and a strong collaborative culture.
By embracing hybrid work, companies can attract talent from anywhere, enhancing productivity and creating high-performance teams. These teams deliver excellent results for clients.
Measuring Success and Continuous Improvement
As work models evolve, evaluating their effectiveness and continually improving is essential. Key steps include:
Conducting Employee Satisfaction Surveys
Employee satisfaction surveys often provide valuable insights. They reveal employees’ feelings about the new work models, identify issues, suggest improvements, and measure workplace happiness.
Companies can use this feedback to improve their work policies, benefiting employees and the business.
Analyzing Productivity and Engagement Metrics
Beyond satisfaction surveys, it’s crucial to analyze productivity and engagement. Task completion rates, communication frequency, and virtual meeting attendance offer valuable insights.
This information helps identify strengths and areas needing improvement, allowing companies to make informed decisions and continuously enhance their work strategies.
Combining employee satisfaction surveys with productivity and engagement analysis provides a comprehensive view. This approach ensures continuous work environment improvement and alignment with employee and client relationship management needs.
Conclusion: Value proposal
The best of both worlds
The hybrid model is becoming the predominant way of working in some sectors, such as finance and technology.
This model isn’t just hybrid regarding work location but also roles.
Team Composition: 80% Remote, 20% In-Person
In a successful hybrid model, 20% of the team works in the client’s office, while 80% work remotely. Here’s how this 80%/20% split works:
- 20% In-Person: Leaders and project managers thrive in the office environment, where they can effectively sell products, hold 1:1 client meetings, and negotiate contracts.
- 80% Remote: Developers, engineers, and technicians who prefer remote work achieve higher productivity and better work-life balance. This setup also positively impacts the company’s overall work environment and talent retention.
Ideal Team Structure
To maximize the benefits of the hybrid model, the team structure should be as follows:
- In-House Knowledge: 20% of the team, including leaders and project managers, work face-to-face in the office.
- Remote Teams: 80% of the team, comprising developers, engineers, and technicians, work remotely.
Embracing Change
Companies need a clear plan and must be open to change. By focusing on clients’ needs and managing teams effectively, they can lead in this new era of work. This approach enhances productivity and employee satisfaction and makes companies stand out to their teams and clients.
