You’re trying to schedule a meeting with Bob, who’s in the office. Then there is also Mary, who’s working from a coffee shop in Bali. While Mark is also an attendee and a digital nomad, who’s…well, who knows where Mark is staying this week?
Is this a recipe for disaster? A recent study found that companies with a hybrid schedule that’s poorly managed have a 25% lower productivity rate! Jeez.
Here is the secret sauce to make your hybrid scheduling smoother than a newly paved highway.
- Same Tools: One Platform to Rule Them All
Remember that time you tried to build a LEGO castle with instructions from a different set? Exactly, that’s how it feels when we use different scheduling tools for on-site and remote workers.Onboard everyone on the same platform for instance Microsoft Teams or Slack.This way everyone will be on the same page (literally!).
- Consistent Schedule: Like a Reliable Train, But More Fun
Imagine a train that sometimes leaves at 8 AM, sometimes at noon, and sometimes…never. Not very helpful, right? Establish regular check-ins or meetings that work for everyone, no matter their location. Think of it as creating a reliable schedule that everyone can rely on.
- Prioritize Flexibility: Because Life Happens (and Sometimes in Different Time Zones)
Remember that time you had to reschedule a dentist appointment because your cat decided to redecorate your living room with a roll of toilet paper? Yeah, life happens. Give your team members some control over their schedules. Flexibility helps everyone feel respected and reduces those pesky scheduling conflicts.
- Asynchronous Work: The Secret to Avoiding Scheduling Headaches
Imagine trying to herd cats…into a Zoom meeting. Sounds impossible, right? Encourage tasks that don’t require everyone to be online simultaneously. Shared docs, video updates, and task boards are your new best friends.
- Address FOMO: Because No One Likes to Feel Left Out
Remember that time you weren’t invited to the party, and you spent the whole night wondering if they were serving pizza? Yeah, FOMO is real. Make sure your remote workers don’t feel left out of office decisions. Share meeting recordings or send detailed updates to keep everyone in the loop.
Follow these tips, and your hybrid team will be so well-connected, they’ll practically be able to finish each other’s sentences (but hopefully not in a creepy way). Now, go forth and conquer that hybrid schedule!