8 reasons for companies to embrace a Smart Work model

2020 has reshaped the way many businesses work. Unforeseen circumstances, unrelated to the current technology and business content, have forced companies all over the world to rethink and restructure the way they operate. 

“Smart working”, previously considered by many just a buzzword, has now become a very popular work model. But is smart working just a solution to a current situation or is it more than that? This article looks into the benefits this work model offers. 

What is smart work?

We have talked about this work model, about what it is and what it is not, in a previous blog post. Unlike a “traditional” work model, smart working places the individual at the center of the organization. Corporate goals are not ignored, but they blend with personal and professional objectives. 

Due to its remote nature, Smart Working empowers the individual worker, making him/her the owner of the work, aware of the results to be achieved, of the need for teamwork, but also autonomous in defining methods and timing activities. 

Why embrace smart work?

Smart Working is not a new concept. Technology has made it possible for people to work efficiently from anywhere in the world. Companies worldwide have already embraced smart work because of the benefits it offers. 

Here are 8 reasons for introducing Smart Working in any company:

1. More effective staff selection process:75% of workers would like to embrace smart work.
2. Lower costs: The average US worker would accept an 8% wage reduction for the opportunity to work from home.
3. More loyal employees: Two out of three employees say they are more loyal to employers who offer smart working methods.
4. More profits: Six out of ten companies worldwide report that smart work policies have increased profits.
5. Keep up with competitors: Almost a third of British workers have flexible hours.
6. More productive workers: Three out of four workers believe they are more productive outside the traditional 9-5 business day.
7. Follow the example of successful SMEs: Two out of three New Zealand SMEs offer smart working methods.
8. More motivated employees: According to 65% of managers, smart work helps increase employee motivation.

(Sources: PowWowNow, Princeton University, Workplace Insight, Vodafone, Perkbox, Fuze, MYOB Technology, City & Guilds Group)

Pros and cons of smart working

While smart working offers many benefits for companies, we cannot deny that it also poses many risks. Before embracing smart work, businesses have to make sure they are prepared from an organisational point of view.

Moreover, from an IT perspective, this model poses a lot of threats concerning data protection and security. To find out more about how to manage these risks, you can now download our free ebook.

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If you have enjoyed our ebook, but would wish to expand your knowledge even further, we are offering a comprehensive training course on how to overcome the security challenges of smart working, on our learning platform.