We don’t need to tell you that the future of work is hybrid. Countless surveys like Prudential’s Pulse of the American Worker Survey have confirmed what we already know. Sixty-eight percent of workers say a hybrid workplace model is ideal. However, connected work doesn’t just happen, especially in distributed teams. You need the right technology stack to drive collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing. Just as important are clear processes that align staff with each other and the company’s goals. The good news? A company intranet could be the perfect solution.
Here we explain all you need to know about connected work in hybrid environments. From tools to team dynamics, learn how to build a truly connected hybrid workplace.
Let’s dive in with a definition of connected work.
What Is Connected Work?
Connected work means using a secure, integrated network of digital tools and platforms. It’s a must-have for successful hybrid working. This approach ensures employees can communicate, collaborate, and stay productive, whether working remotely, in the office, or on the go.
But connected work is also about fostering human connections. People are the heart of every business. Whether you call it team spirit, workplace culture, or camaraderie, these social bonds are crucial for success, and harder to maintain when your workforce is distributed.
There’s no doubt that remote workers report more negative mental health impacts. Loneliness, isolation, and depression have risen since the shift to remote work.
Hybrid working helps ease that isolation. By blending office and remote work, employees benefit from flexibility and social interaction. As the workplace evolves, more companies recognize the importance of connecting employees, wherever they are.
What Are The Benefits Of Connected Workplaces?
An integrated connected work system brings multiple business advantages. Highlights include:
- Boost productivity with anytime, anywhere access to digital tools
- Eliminate silos and improve cross-team collaboration
- Encourage knowledge sharing across departments
- Enhance internal communication through two-way feedback loops
- Accelerate decision-making with automated processes
- Foster stronger employee relationships and social bonds
- Support employee wellbeing with inclusive engagement
- Drive cost-efficiency across the organization
In short, businesses perform better when their people are truly connected. And connected work is the key to making that happen.
Connected Work And Connected People
True connected work involves more than syncing software, it’s about connecting people. Distributed teams struggle with maintaining the personal relationships that drive innovation and job satisfaction. Big decisions and creative ideas often stem from spontaneous in-person conversations, something remote workers often miss out on.
Here’s how to make sure your connected workplace supports every team member, regardless of location.
Focus On Two-way Communication
Set up communication tools that reach remote, mobile, and office-based staff equally. Business IM platforms help your teams stay in sync and foster real-time collaboration. Features like #channels, @mentions, and emojis make digital conversations engaging and inclusive. The result? Faster decisions and stronger social connections.
Other two-way communication methods include employee surveys, company blogs, and quizzes. These tools give remote workers a chance to contribute, comment, and stay connected with the broader team.
Switch Team Meetings Online
Daily 10-minute video check-ins can do wonders for team cohesion. Modern platforms make it easy to maintain face-to-face interaction virtually. But keep meetings short to avoid Zoom fatigue. A quick chat about the weekend can build essential personal bonds that drive team trust and morale.
Celebrate Team Achievements
Everyone appreciates recognition, but it’s harder when you’re not in the office. Set up a #shoutout channel on your team chat for managers and employees to acknowledge each other’s work. Peer-to-peer recognition is a powerful motivator and a key part of a positive workplace culture.
Find Ways For Workers To Socialize
Social interaction is vital for cohesive teams. Companies are finding creative ways to keep remote workers included, think online yoga classes, virtual happy hours, trivia games, or “lunch and learn” webinars. These events strengthen relationships and combat the isolation of remote work.
Connected Work And Connected Technology
To support connected work, your digital tools and platforms must be integrated. Cloud-based, mobile-friendly systems are no longer optional, they’re essential for a hybrid workforce.
Your organization likely uses tools like Google Workspace, Slack, Asana, or Salesforce. While effective individually, these platforms often lack integration. Employees end up toggling between tools, leading to frustration and lower productivity.
The solution? Centralized, integrated systems. A single, unified platform eliminates multiple logins and fragmented workflows. Your staff can access everything they need in one place, streamlining operations and communication.
The payoff is huge: fewer delays, less confusion, improved efficiency, and happier, more connected employees. With connected work technologies in place, your business is set up for long-term success in the hybrid world.
Connected Work And The Intranet Solution
If you think that a connected workplace sounds like a great idea but a lot of effort, it’s time to think again. A cloud-hosted intranet solution ticks all the boxes for effective and efficient connected working. And the really good news is it’s an easily implemented, cost-effective platform that delivers long-term value.
Let’s take a closer look at how an intranet supports a connected workplace.
Gateway Access To Enterprise Apps
Your intranet comes with a ton of integrated tools and features. Corporate calendars, employee profiles, newsfeeds, and secure file sharing – you name it, the intranet has the lot.
But did you know that intranets offer single sign-on access to other commonly used enterprise apps? For example, MyHub’s platform integrates with Office 365, Google Workspace, and Salesforce. This means your people have a seamless digital experience and can access everything they need in one place, boosting both productivity and user satisfaction.
Automated Business Processes
Embeddable digital workflows and approval processes save time and improve accuracy. Free from human error and easy to configure, these workflows can be used for everything from supply requests to vacation leave and project updates.
The intranet automatically routes forms to the correct personnel for action. This streamlines approvals, gives managers oversight, and eliminates bottlenecks. Automated intranet processes reduce time-wasting and ensure smoother business operations.
Two-Way Communication
Intranets provide extensive options for two-way communication. With integrated instant messaging, team blogs, project spaces, and customizable newsfeeds, communication across all levels of the business becomes effortless. Staff can engage and interact regardless of their location, whether remote, hybrid, or in-office.
Knowledge Sharing
Effective knowledge sharing is vital for successful hybrid teams. Deloitte’s Global Human Capital Trends report identifies knowledge as a core driver of performance.
Intranets make sharing internal expertise easier through tools like:
- Centralized libraries for policies, procedures, and documentation
- Detailed employee profiles that highlight subject matter experts
- Activity walls showcasing live projects and insights
- Interactive forums and project spaces for ideation
- Automated forms and checklists to capture knowledge and feedback
- Trending #channels and smart notifications to keep staff updated
You can present corporate knowledge through various formats, explainer videos, wikis, webinars, and podcasts, to accommodate different learning preferences and improve knowledge retention.
Team Collaboration
Companies that foster team collaboration benefit from increased innovation, better problem-solving, and higher engagement. According to Forbes, collaborative teams are more agile and successful.
Cloud-based intranets offer powerful tools to enhance collaboration:
- Real-time team chat to support fast communication and issue resolution
- Automated alerts and notifications to keep everyone informed
- Secure project spaces for brainstorming and tracking progress
- Integrated workflows for monitoring tasks and milestones
- Seamless integration with Office 365 or Google Workspace
- Employee bios that help form dynamic, skilled teams
All collaboration tools are available under one virtual roof, streamlining teamwork across departments and time zones.
Connected Workplace: Advantages Of An Intranet
If you’re aiming to build a connected workplace, a modern intranet provides numerous advantages beyond the core features already mentioned.
Easy To Set Up
Today’s intranets are plug-and-play solutions, no technical skills required. Most platforms can be deployed within hours, enabling fast onboarding and minimal IT overhead.
Simple To Use
Thanks to user-friendly design, attractive layouts, and intuitive navigation, employees adopt intranets quickly. Admin tools are built-in and simple to manage, ensuring a smooth experience for both users and administrators.
Secure And Reliable
Security is a top priority. MyHub’s intranet includes SSL encryption and delivers 99.9% uptime. You can rest easy knowing your business communications and data are protected.
Cost-effectiveness
Intranets offer excellent value. Fixed annual pricing provides budget certainty, and unlimited users and storage allow the platform to scale as your business grows.
MyHub’s cloud intranet software powers connected work for organizations around the globe. From small teams to large enterprises, our platform supports collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing.
Ready to transform your workplace? Sign up for a free demo or start your 14-day trial today, and experience the future of connected work.
FAQ Section
What is a connected workplace?
A connected workplace integrates technology and communication strategies to ensure employees, whether remote or on-site, can collaborate effectively, share knowledge, and feel part of a unified team.
Why is connectivity important in hybrid work environments?
Connectivity ensures that all team members have equal access to information, resources, and collaboration opportunities, which is crucial for productivity, engagement, and overall team cohesion in hybrid settings.
How can organizations foster a connected workplace?
Organizations can promote connected workplaces by implementing robust digital tools, encouraging open communication, providing regular updates, and creating opportunities for team bonding and feedback across all work locations.
