How businesses can make hybrid working, work for them

More than half of all employees prefer remote working over returning full-time to the office. This may not be what businesses want to hear as office spaces are re-evaluated, offices sit empty, the cost of traveling and living rises, and the war for talent, especially in tech, ensues. However, companies must face that to attract, retain and engage employees – a hybrid model is necessary. And simple Microsoft Teams video calls for collaboration won’t cut it long-term.

To guarantee long-term success, offices must invest in video technology solutions that encourage connection instead of compromising it due to physical distance. Going beyond connecting through a simple screen enriches interactivity also, and accessibility – and this is where sophisticated technology can enhance the experience.

Connecting effortlessly, engaging efficiently

Many organizations are taking a page out of the playbook of broadcasters and creating production studios in-house to connect with employees, customers, and prospects in this age of hybrid connectivity. For example, Netherlands-based financial services company Achmea with 10+ million global customers wanted to maintain community, connection, and collaboration despite being unable to gather in person.

A concept developed based on the necessity for Achmea to give access to learning and development resources across departments and geographies. Unifying communications was paramount, and an advanced system was required to optimize that. An ordinary online web-messaging service wouldn’t do – the right solution needed to reflect and support the demand of a globally distributed company.

Achmea’s Learning and Development department invested in a streamlined, flexible, modern strategy to create and distribute content to solve content and communication challenges. A recording studio was created to serve the company, where knowledge was shared, and development needs were forged.

Achmea opted for a TriCaster® system for switching multiple cameras in live interviews and recording for video editing. Known as a powerful ‘all-in-one video production system,’ the TriCaster was equipped with hundreds of advanced capabilities; users were allowed to create, switch, live stream, and record 4K UHD video.

With the ability to record multiple high-resolution video channels, archive for postproduction, alongside a live streaming possibility (even across social platforms) driven by a user-friendly quick-to-learn interface, Achmea made the studio accessible to every employee. Whether it was used for a Global Town Hall for the entire company, a recorded update to send to all customers or small production run by sales to prospects. It was an investment that served every connection purpose at every level and easily integrated with the company’s current infrastructure with minimal impact on the IT team.

Instead of cutting corners, why not make it useful?

Another example of bringing in video tech to communicate across a company is iFast Corporation, a wealth management fintech platform. To maintain its pre-pandemic business momentum, iFast used

the office that found itself empty as everyone was told to stay home and created iFast TV, its own B2B streaming operation, with a high-end TV studio and production facility to operate from.

At the heart of its Singapore headquarters, a brand-new IP-based 4K studio was built. It was optimized to be available to professionals who didn’t have the technical skills of broadcasters while maintaining the quality of the content an audience would expect.

Enabling the studio is a TriCaster® 2 Elite which includes Virtual Sets for an added experience for viewers. iFast has unlimited flexibility to create different looks for multiple shows, while also having a 5m LED wall to provide a video feed. Virtual spaces and physical walls allow it to incorporate video, graphics, and web conferences from various platforms at multiple resolutions.

With the studio, iFast’s TV App can be distributed worldwide and streamed to social media. The intention of the set-up was to make the operation as easy and as simple as possible. The picture, graphics, and switching are fully automated, making the users’ job uncomplicated. Building this video solution meant that iFast could continue connecting and engaging with a network of 520 companies and 10,000 agents and partners from all over the world.

Communicating through the age of hybrid

Robust video solutions can guarantee connection, and, more importantly, collaboration for each workspace to reach its full potential in this hybrid age. As discussed, using smarter video solutions allows users and organizations to take control of content and showcase it in a completely new, engaging, and informative way. From live streams to better social media, consistency and quality are key for interaction. A simple single screen and webcam aren’t cutting it anymore.

There are countless ways companies can upgrade how they communicate with internal and external stakeholders to make hybrid working, work for them. But the reality is, hybrid is here to stay. Whether it’s hybrid working, hybrid selling, hybrid learning, hybrid connection, or hybrid collaboration – video can help make any organization stand out, to employees, customers, and prospects.

Don’t lose out on the opportunity to gain an edge over competitors, better engage and retain your employees, customers, and gain new levels of interaction with prospects, alongside future-proofing your hybrid workspace – it’s time to ditch the single screen.