Hybrid Working Tools: Top 9 Hybrid Tools For Flexibility

What hybrid working tools should companies and facility managers (FMs) embrace to foster greater productivity and flexibility?

The hybrid workplace is the new normal. Before considering different technology options, it’s essential to know what a hybrid workplace is. A hybrid workplace is a balance of remote working teams and in-office working teams with the goal of removing unnecessary or outdated restraints on workplace functionality.

The goal of a hybrid workplace isn’t for employees to feel boxed into one kind of work (remote or office). Instead, it offers options for employees to do their best work, wherever that might be.

A truly hybrid workplace typically observes a staggered schedule, where employees rotate between working in the office and remote work. Some hybrid workforce formats also include a blend of full-time remote workers as well as full-time in-office employees.

Flexible work arrangements have become a crucial part of employee retention. Many employees and job searchers are prioritizing flexibility when determining where they want to work. In fact, a study from PWC found that 55% of employees would prefer to work remotely at least three days per week.

People want to work where they feel trusted. Flexible workplaces create space for that trust to form.

Adopting a new workplace model like this requires the right hybrid working tools and technology. But which ones?

This article explores the best hybrid working tools that companies and facility managers should consider when transitioning to a hybrid workplace model.

Hybrid working tools for space planning

Office neighborhoods promote hybrid flexibility and teamwork

Office neighborhoods are spaces within an office, which people can use for specific functions or tasks, like quiet, independent work, or team collaboration. Rather than assigning employees a desk, assign a neighborhood instead to allow employees to determine where they want to sit.

Benefits of office neighborhoods include:

• ​Hybrid work “zones” for each department
• ​Dedicated desks for agile and activity-based working
• ​An improved employee experience across the board
• ​Decentralized seat management, saving the facilities team time

Office neighborhoods are a great way to plan your space to ensure maximum efficiency and productivity.

Stack planning helps plan the hybrid workplace

Stack planning is a facility management technique used to improve space use, reorganize departments and floor plans, configure seating arrangements, and more. This method is excellent for understanding how your space is being used and where improvements could be made.

Benefits of stack planning include:

• ​See a birds-eye view of each floor plan and department location within the building
• ​Drag-and-drop teams and departments to reconfigure your space in just a few clicks
• ​Create floor plans that scale with your organization as you grow

Stack planning is vital when building a work environment for hybrid teams. Facility managers can see how their space is currently being used and determine how best to reconfigure it to fit a staggering employee work schedule. For example, if a certain number of employees are remote, you can convert empty desks into collaborative spaces for those working in the office.

Hybrid work tools for flexibility

Desk booking and hoteling embrace hybrid

A huge component of the hybrid workplace is flexibility with where you work. Hot desking and hoteling are essential flexible workplace technologies.

• ​Hot desking: Employees reserve an open desk rather than work from the same assigned desk each day. Reservations are typically first-come, first-serve.
• ​Hoteling: Allows employees to book desks far in advance, providing a dedicated space during their time in the office.

Hot desking and hoteling management software are core components of a truly hybrid workplace. Both give your organization the power to be flexible with where and when employees work.

Reporting and analytics provide insights

Data is critical for creating the best hybrid workplace. Reporting and analytics software helps facility managers maintain a pulse on how spaces are used daily. This software is also important for forecasting company growth, cutting costs, viewing budget allocation, and understanding space utilization.

Types of reports facility managers can use:

• ​Operational reports: Streamline tasks like monitoring building systems, facility costs, and preventative maintenance.
• ​Space utilization reports: See how people are using a building or facility in real time.
• ​Badge integration: Insights into employee attendance via badge swipes, useful for shift work and ensuring the correct number of employees are present.

Hybrid work tools for better communication and collaboration

Slack integrates with office planning software

Balancing asynchronous and synchronous communication is important in a hybrid workplace. Slack is a popular workplace communication tool that keeps lines of communication open. It allows for check-ins, casual conversations, file sharing, and project tracking.

Slack features:

• ​Create channels for specific projects, private conversations, and general communication
• ​Integrates with office planning software, allowing employees to view directories, manage desk bookings, find and request rooms, submit requests, and complete health safety forms

Microsoft Teams keeps employees connected

Teams is an instant messaging tool for the workplace, great for keeping employees connected and in the loop. You can create teams for different projects, departments, or interests and toggle between them. Within each team, channels help keep conversations organized.

Teams integrates with Microsoft apps and many popular workplace apps like Asana, Trello, and Zoom.

Zoom helps remote and in-office employees collaborate

Zoom is a widely used video conferencing tool that helps with both communication and company culture. It eliminates the need for in-person meetings and makes collaborative work more manageable, especially across time zones or for remote webinars.

Zoom features:

• ​Take calls from any device
• ​Share screens, attach files, and chat during calls
• ​Schedule meetings and RSVP via Zoom or calendar suites
• ​Record meetings and convert conversations into transcripts
• ​Cloud-based phone offering and integrations with workplace apps

Asana streamlines project management

Asana is a popular project management tool, especially for remote teams. It integrates with other hybrid working tools like Google Docs, Zoom, and Slack. Asana allows you to share files, track project statuses, and view team growth in real time. Delegation is streamlined with tagging and assigning features.

You can view projects in a timeline, Kanban board, calendar, or list. Real-time reporting helps identify and overcome issues, which is key to productivity.

Google Docs enhances hybrid teamwork

Google Docs is a cloud-based word processing platform that eliminates version control issues. Changes auto-save, improving teamwork. Team members can work on the same document simultaneously, either together or asynchronously.

Google Docs features:

• ​Create new documents from templates or a blank page
• ​Easy sharing with permissions
• ​Export to different file types (PDF, Pages, Word)
• ​Access documents on any device

To build a hybrid workspace, you need the right hybrid working tools

The future of work is hybrid, enhancing work-life balance and increasing productivity. With the hybrid work model here to stay, it’s imperative companies set themselves and their employees up for success with the right hybrid working tools.

While there are many tools to choose from, selecting the combination that works best for your company is important. Opt for hybrid working tools with great integrations so your tech stack works smarter for you.

A good litmus test for a tool: Is my organization able to be fully flexible with how they work?