Guest OpEd by Adam Riggs, Frameable Inc. CEO, @AARiggs

Offices around the globe are reopening, but the new workplace experience is sharply different than we remember. 

After years of work-from-home arrangements, employees feel less connected than ever.

In response, many revamped office layouts will prioritize group collaboration and small, private meeting spaces—not the rows of cubicles that once filled entire floors—to spark engagement and foster innovation. 

While these are important changes, they’re only half of the equation.

The consensus is that hybrid and remote work are here to stay in some form for most companies. This means workplaces must additionally adapt their virtual real estate and workplace cultures to balance the needs for in-person connection, while respecting virtual autonomy.

This includes figuring out how to replicate in-person social interactions through virtual experiences.

To do so, here are a few steps leaders should take.  

Get to Know Your Team

Employees face a myriad of challenges with remote work, and everyone carries unique concerns about how to navigate the future of work.

Connect with your team to assess your workplace health. Conduct surveys to gauge your team’s feelings toward remote work, including strengths and areas of improvement.

Seek to understand:

• How their role changed during the pandemic 

• What fulfills them professionally

• What their optimal work/life balance looks like

To gather this knowledge, craft a set of hybrid workplace survey questions to understand what your employees as a whole need. After compiling the anonymous results, expand on these insights through one-to-one conversations or small focus groups.

The key is not to assume anything about your team’s current preferences or limitations. Instead, invite open dialogue on the future of work and use this employee feedback to craft your hybrid work strategy. 

Use the Right Workplace Technology for Your Objectives

With your audience insights in hand, map your hybrid work technology needs. Start by auditing your current technology stack.

What tools do you have, how much do they cost, what features do you use, and what features are available? 

Next, look at the hurdles and challenges your team faces. Can any of your existing technology eliminate these hurdles? Is an under-utilized feature the key to helping your team? 

Make a list of every tech feature or capability your team would like, ranked in order of priority. For example, most teams will need a robust video conferencing platform, file storage solutions, and a team messaging channel.

Other technologies can include group whiteboard or brainstorm solutions, virtual offices, or team scheduling software (just to name a few). 

Video conferencing platforms are among the most essential hybrid workplace technologies. You should weigh the pros and cons of the most popular virtual meeting and event platforms against your team’s needs. 

When assessing virtual collaboration technologies, prioritize platforms that facilitate engagement.

In-platform messaging, nonverbal reactions, and customizable rooms with conversation prompts are just a few must-have features that will give your team the flexibility to create truly fulfilling online collaboration spaces.  

Kickstart Conversations with Prompts

You know what your employees need to succeed with hybrid work, and you’ve chosen the right tools to help them thrive.

All they need now is a simple nudge to start the conversation.

An ideal video conferencing solution empowers you to create open conversation spaces with room or table prompts. Experiment with different room setups to see what is most helpful for your team. 

For example, host department-specific rooms to collaborate on projects, or use general conversation starters like “What movies are you watching?” or “Did you catch the game last night?” for team members to join and discuss a topic of their choice, as they would in the office.

The goal is to replicate the traditional hallway run-ins and watercooler conversations that are vital to team building, no matter how the group works. 

How Will You Engage Your Hybrid Team?

We’ve only begun to see the full potential of hybrid work, and there are many challenges ahead as we define the new standard of work.

By prioritizing your employees at every step of the process and regularly assessing the tools meant to help them, you can more quickly adjust your strategy and unlock the most value for your team and company.

(See how Social Hour can work for you and your organization in this brief overview. Courtesy of Frameable Inc., and YouTube.)

How do you plan to engage your hybrid work team?

About the Author

Adam Riggs is the CEO and Founder of Frameable, which builds virtual-first work environments that emphasize social connection and collaboration.

Related Technologies…

Hypori and iboss Recognized for Virtual Mobility in 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program

Hypori

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now entering it’s Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

Hypori

Best Mobile Tech Solution

• Hypori Virtual Mobility

• Hypori is an Enterprise Virtual Mobility solution designed for Government secure teleworkers in Homeland and Defense that lets Work From Home (WFH) users perform business tasks on their mobile devices while leaving zero footprint and guaranteeing 100% separation of personal and enterprise data.

• Hypori empowers users to access sensitive data from their remote Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) devices, to enable secure teleworking.

• Hypori Virtual Mobility gives enterprise users access to a resilient cloud’s power, speed, and security from any physical edge device.

(Hypori is proud to be the solution of choice for those who can’t afford security breaches or mission failure. Their military-grade technology enables the most demanding users – like DoD and the IC community – to remotely access their highly sensitive data anywhere, anytime from any edge device. Courtesy of Hypori and YouTube.)

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards highlight the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

iboss

iboss

Best Network Security Solution 

• iboss Cloud

• iboss cloud secures user Internet access on any device, from any location, in the cloud, shifting the focus from following perimeters to following users so that consistent cloud security is applied while users are in the office, on the road or working from home.

• Built on a proprietary containerized architecture designed 100% for the cloud, iboss users are always connected to iboss cloud, regardless of device or location, to ensure all Internet traffic is secured for compliance, web filtering, malware defense and data loss at all times.

• Since iboss cloud lives in the cloud, security goes where users go with elastic and instant scaling to meet the demands of the cloud-first future.

• The iboss’ SaaS solution significantly reduces management costs and offers a faster, more distributed alternative to previous on-premise gateways.

(The iboss cloud secures user Internet access on any device, from any location, in the cloud. It is a cloud-based platform with a focus on following users instead of perimeters to ensure that Internet access is always secure regardless of user location. Courtesy of iboss and YouTube.)

• *iboss was also recognized in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Awards Program.

The United States was forever changed 20 years ago on September 11th, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.

In the days that followed 9/11, the critical needs of protecting our country catapulted us into new and innovative ways to secure our homeland – which is how many of the agencies and enterprise organizations that are today ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champions, came into being.

Our 2021 keynote speaker featured a moving and informative address from TSA Administrator and Vice-Admiral of the United States Coast Guard (Ret), David Pekoske; to our attendees who traveled from across the United States and abroad, on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel.

Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton of the New York Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department was also live at the event, meeting with attendees and signing copies of his latest work ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ courtesy of the generosity of our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Premier Sponsors.

The 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by New PLATINUM SPONSOR: NEC National Security Systems (NSS), New Premier Sponsors Rajant Corporation, and guardDog AI, and returning Sponsors to date, ATI Systems, Automatic Systems, RX Global, and SIMS Software!

The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program will emphasize the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2022, as well as the Significance and Positive Impact of Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in our Next Generation of Government and Industry Leaders. #MentorshipMatters

So be on the lookout for exciting upcoming announcements of Speakers, Presenters, Book Signing Opportunities, and Attendees at the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon in November of 2022 in New York City!

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Access Control/ Identification	Personal/Protective Equipment	Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism
Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System	Interagency Interdiction Operation	Cloud Computing/Storage Solution
Facial/IRIS Recognition	Body Worn Video Product	Cyber Security
Video Surveillance/VMS	Mobile Technology	Anti-Malware
Audio Analytics	Disaster Preparedness	ID Management
Thermal/Infrared Camera	Mass Notification System	Fire & Safety
Metal/Weapon Detection	Rescue Operations	Critical Infrastructure
License Plate Recognition	Detection Products	COVID Innovations
Workforce Management	Government Security Programs	And Many Others to Choose From!

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

In 2021 over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State, and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe, and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:

• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• ICE Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI)

• Customs & Border Protection (CBP)

• The Federal Protective Service (FPS)

• Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)

• DHS Science & Technology (S&T)

• The National Center for Disaster Medicine & Public Health (NCDMPH)

• The American Red Cross

• The InfraGard National Alliance

• The Metropolitan Police (MPD)

• The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)

• Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS)

• The Federal Air Marshals Service

• The San Diego Harbor Police Foundation, and Many More!

Register for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Luncheon Today

American Security Today is delighted to announce, that Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane J. Sabatino of the Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will be the opening keynote speaker at the much-anticipated 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon, on Wednesday, November 16th, 2022.

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

To take advantage of this exclusive luncheon opportunity to invite your team, guests, clients, and show visitors to a gourmet, affordable, plated meal event in the heart of New York City, for a fabulous networking opportunity!

Go to https://americansecuritytoday.com/product/awards-luncheon/ to secure your seat or reserve a table. ***Limited space available so Register Today. There will be no on-site registrations.

Your ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon registration includes complimentary attendee access to ISC East where you can meet the world’s most innovative suppliers and cyber experts, immerse yourself in hands-on tech and learn from world-renowned speakers and thought-leaders.

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local level as well as from private firms allied to the government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)

To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please see the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2021 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of Annual ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.

It serves as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2021 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

• For a complete list of 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, begin HERE.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
• Reported by more than one notable outlet
• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

Subscribe to the AST Daily News Alert Here.