With 40% of businesses in the UK now working under a hybrid model(1) compared to only 4.7% pre-pandemic(2), it’s clear that this flexible future is here to stay as what started out as a necessity has started to show its merit.
However, despite the advantages, the transition has unmasked several challenges for companies to tackle. Pre-pandemic protocols no longer fit this new way of life and organisations should be re-evaluating their business continuity strategies to suit this new normal.
With this, I’m sending across information from leading ground transport & accommodation solutions experts, CMAC Group, who have explained four key reasons why business continuity should be an essential part of every business’s hybrid model.
Peter Slater, CEO of CMAC Group, commented on the importance of this topic, explaining: “With a shift to hybrid working, companies should place an emphasis on robust digital infrastructure, comprehensive cybersecurity measures, and flexible policies that ensure operational stability regardless of where teams are located.
“This will allow them to maintain seamless operations, support their workforce effectively and continue to deliver value to their customers, even in the face of unforeseen challenges, positioning them for sustainable growth in this evolving business environment.”
I hope you find this information insightful and useful for your publication. This is available for immediate release but please let me know if you have any questions or would like any extra information.
1. To minimise downtime
Unplanned downtime is one of the greatest fears for any business. From weather incidents to cyberattacks; during an unexpected event, the priority is to get everybody to safety and to protect critical business operations.
Every second counts when it comes to getting back up and running, otherwise an organisation’s revenue and reputation can take a serious hit. Resilience must therefore cover all locations. If employees are already able to work from home and can do so at the drop of a hat, an organisation’s downtime and impact on business will be minimal if an incident were to arise.
By regularly testing continuity plans, businesses can ensure their organisation is prepared for a swift recovery if disaster strikes. These tests should cover a range of scenarios to allow the recovery plan to be optimised for whatever situation may occur.
2. Protect what’s important
Outside the office walls, unsecured networks can put company data at risk. With a work-from-anywhere policy in place, a major concern for businesses is whether connections and private information is secure.
Establishing a resilient IT infrastructure is therefore essential. Getting to grips with how data is accessed, managed and stored is vital to mitigate any risk and reduce the likelihood of a cyberattack taking place.
Cloud solutions are now the go-to when operating a hybrid work model. Implementing a cloud structure means if a disaster was to strike, businesses can access the system from elsewhere without delay. It is a good idea to choose a cloud provider that houses your data across multiple centres. This means if one centre was to go down, operations should remain unaffected.
3. Communicate with confidence
Good communication is the keystone to business continuity and it’s essential to introduce a centralised remote communications system that will enable seamless collaboration when working remotely.
If businesses wait until a crisis arises before they act, employees will be left adrift, unsure of how to help or who is responsible for which task. A well-established crisis communication plan is also essential for an effective response, as it will alleviate any misunderstanding during crucial moments. Businesses should communicate the plan as soon as it is established and keep reminding employees periodically.
It’s also a good idea to extend this communication beyond employees. Businesses should ensure that they consider how each situation could impact key stakeholders and review their plan regularly, ensuring it remains relevant.
4. Create a more agile workforce
A hybrid work culture is one that emphasises a skilful workforce with a blend of both digital hard skills and soft skills — such as problem solving, knowledge, and networking. Agility will play a huge role in the culture of a hybrid business.
With the dualism of working in the office and from home, businesses need to ensure they can be prepared for the unexpected and guarantee resilience in business continuity, wherever their employees may be.
Organisations are, therefore, urged to strategically implement proactive measures to ensure efficiency. Through ongoing automation and digitisation, you companies can equip their employees with the tools they need to work independently in evolving situations and react appropriately to situations.