Promotional opportunities and attracting new talent now require a shift to a more flexible model of work. According to the Office for National Statistics, 78% of UK employees reported enhanced productivity in a hybrid work model. Flexibility is undoubtedly here to stay. Let’s discuss how to select a model tailored for your business while ensuring your team’s happiness and your objectives are met.

Assess Characteristics Specific To Your Business
Begin by considering what aspects your company requires. Do you run a consultancy firm with lots of interdependent roles or a tech startup requiring constant collaboration? Full remote did not work for the design firm I managed, as creative brainstorming was extremely difficult over video calls. A hybrid model was the sweet spot for us.

Create a list of tasks and define the roles of each team member. Knowledge workers excel with remote work arrangements; however, positions like manufacturing will require an on-site presence. Also, productivity metrics can be tracked with tools like the Controlio app using virtual assistant software. Using such tools gives clarity on whether your remote/hybrid model supports your organizational goals.

Examine Options for Remote Work
Work is flexible, but not one size fits all. Every employee has the possibility of remote work, while other employees may benefit from a hybrid model. Other forms include compressed workweeks, which are four 10-hour days, along with core-time flexible hours in which core collaboration hours are defined. One of my previous employers offered “no meeting Wednesdays,” which improved productivity greatly.

Also, a hybrid model where employees split their time between home and the office, or roles that require schedule flexibility, can benefit from flexible hours. As McKinsey shared, with 90% of UK companies planning to adopt hybrid models, there is room to experiment to see what structure fits the team best. Find what works best for your team’s culture and working habits.

Focus on Effective Communication and Building Trust
Flexible access to work greatly relies on effective communication. Clarify standards of contact, availability, response windows, and deliverables. When my team went hybrid, we switched to the Controlio app, as monitoring project progress in a hands-off way kept us aligned and built trust by focusing on results, not hours. We gradually moved towards trusting each other rather than micromanaging, which is the ultimate workplace victory.

Hold regular check-ins, whether virtual or in-person, to foster connection among team members. Tools such as Slack or Teams facilitate communication, and well-defined core hours promote both connectivity and adherence to collaboration-rich windows. Trust regarding work tracking fosters a culture of valuing employees instead of viewing them as monitored.

Invest in the Right Technology
Flexible work relies heavily on technology. While Google Drive aids in accessing files, Asana helps keep tasks organized. I remember leading a remote project, and one of my teammates’ laptops crashed. Luckily, the files were stored on Dropbox, so we were able to retrieve everything easily.

Emphasis on data safety becomes a priority, especially with remote work flexibility. Make use of VPNs and other encrypted tools to safeguard essential information. The Controlio app provides insight regarding data security within the company by offering information about app usage, helping you keep everything safe while ensuring employees remain engaged. Investing in dependable technology for virtual meetings is a no-brainer with the industry expanding at a 14.2% annual rate.

Listen to Your Team
Shape your model around your employees’ needs and preferences. To gauge a workforce’s preference, send out surveys. I have seen both ends of the spectrum, where one side longed for in-office teamwork while the other craved remote work. A strong example from my experience revolves around freelancing and dealing with a client with a strongly enforced timetable. My strongest productivity window was during those rigid blocks, leading me to demand flextime, which in turn skyrocketed my productivity.

Give parents or caregivers options like job sharing and compressed workweeks. In a Gallup study, nearly 40% of Fortune 500 companies reported an increase in productivity due to the implementation of flexibility. Let employees participate in shaping the tools to improve engagement and retention.

Final Note: Purpose with Flexibility
A flexible work model is about balance—empowering your team while meeting business needs. With keen operational understanding, exploring options, communicating, making use of tools such as the Controlio app, and listening to employees, one can create a working model that succeeds. From my experience, I learned that thoughtfully executed flexibility fosters deep creativity, loyalty, and innovation. Don’t be afraid to dive in, experiment, and see how your workplace can flourish.