Commercial Integrator June 2022 - 36

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C llab rati n
TODAY and TOMORROW
Jabra on the Opportunities,
Challenges of Hybrid Work
We chat with Jabra's Gina Spencer about how to
ensure today's hybrid workers have seamless and
enjoyable collaboration experiences.
CTT: Please tell us a little
about Jabra.
GINA SPENCER: Jabra is
part of the GN Group, which
is a world-leading audio and
video brand that has been
dedicated to sound for over a
century. We create intelligent
headsets and communication
tools so people can
enjoy better calls, music and
media. And we also have
intelligent videoconferencing
solutions for better more
inclusive meetings, whether
you are working from the
office, from your home or on
the go. Jabra is technology
for life's new rhythm.
CTT: What have you observed
regarding hybrid
work in the industry?
SPENCER: Hybrid work is
a combination of remote
working and working in a traditional
workplace. It allows
for a worker to go to the office
to engage in socialization, collaboration,
or even brainstorm
with their team, but also gives
them time to work remotely,
so they have an environment
which fosters concentration,
creativity and even the opportunity
to learn new things. In
the last few years, hybrid work
has become more common,
so we are seeing the need for
36
professional audio and video
devices become much more
important. Remote workers
need to stay connected to the
office, to each other, and to
their clients using immersive
tools that promote meeting
equity. We often hear hybrid
work referred to as the new
normal or the workplace of
the future, but it is not really
a new idea. Although the typical
9am to 5pm in the office
is still the norm for some,
we have been talking about
remote and hybrid work for
years. Look at this quote from
Satya Nadella, the CEO of
Microsoft: " Work is no longer
a place you go to - it's about
making things happen where
you are. " He said that in 2015!
Six years ago! The idea about
hybrid work is not new, but it
is here to stay.
CTT: What are the challenges
associated with the
hybrid-work model?
SPENCER: 1) The first challenge
is lacking a vision for
the hybrid workspace. About
90% of organizations are in
favor of a hybrid-work model,
but very few have worked out
a vision and plan for how to
make it work. Companies will
need to give employees more
autonomy and flexibility while
Commercial Integrator JUNE 2022
focusing more on employee
output versus time spent in
the office. 2) They also struggle
with the wrong workspace,
so these spaces will need to
be equipped with intelligent
and versatile technology to
accommodate the hybrid
worker. 3) The next challenge
is around safety and security.
According to experts, the
first thing to do is conduct an
audit of existing cybersecurity
standards. Identify the pitfalls
and, eventually, set new
standards that meet the requirements
of hybrid working.
4) And finally, we have digital
fatigue. This is real. Employers
need to consult with their
employees. They may need to
reduce workloads, encourage
breaks and, of course, select
seamless and easy-to-use
technology to help maximize
productivity.
CTT: What steps go into
choosing the right equipment
for the hybrid worker?
SPENCER: At Jabra, we look
at the needs of our users.
Hybrid workers need to have
a high-quality audio and
video experience, no matter
how or where they are
connecting from. They need
to use devices that address
safety and security concerns
Gina Spencer, category
development manager -
collaboration, Jabra.
from their organizational
headquarters, and they need
easy-to-use solutions. 84% of
hybrid workers believe that
the right technology will help
them have equal access to
opportunities at work.
When considering options
for the office, some like to
have the simplicity of a room
system and others prefer to
use the room by connecting
their own laptop to host the
meeting. Jabra has flexible
solutions that promote meeting
equity in either model.
And when considering options
for remote workers, it is
important to think about the
different environments that
people work from. They will
need noise-canceling audio
devices that allow the person
on the other end to hear
only them. And they need a
high-quality personal video
camera with intelligent light
optimization that adapts to
every space. This will ensure
they make a great impression
every time they have a meeting.
If we do all these things
right, the hybrid worker will
have seamless and enjoyable
collaboration experience.
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Commercial Integrator June 2022

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