Can you believe it’s been four years since the world turned upside down? Feels like just yesterday we were baking banana bread and learning what Zoom fatigue really meant as we all hid from a global pandemic. Fast forward to now and one of the more notable changes is that hybrid work has become the new normal, especially for small businesses trying to do more with, well, not a lot.
Yes, we’ve all heard the stories of people answering emails while waiting for the kettle to boil or folding laundry during “quiet focus time.” But behind the home-office smiles lies a slightly messier truth: hybrid work can be a logistical puzzle, particularly when your team is small, your processes are weaker than a 15-year old’s attention span and your resources are… let’s just say “carefully allocated.”
While big corporates are busy pushing everyone back into the office (because apparently nostalgia for traffic jams is a thing), small businesses have a massive opportunity here. Done right, hybrid work isn’t just a perk, it’s a full-on power move. I mean it feels like a new study comes out by the minute hailing how flexible work boosts productivity, saves money and actually makes people happier to show up (whether virtually or in-person).
So without further ado, let’s dig into how small businesses can get hybrid work working for them and let’s even dig into one particular study and steal a few clever lessons from it, the MANAG+ case study, while we’re at it.
Why Hybrid Work Makes Sense for Small Businesses
Hybrid working isn’t just for coffee shop freelancers, it’s a low cost, genuine and powerful strategy with measurable benefits for small businesses and not just because it lets people wear slippers during meetings.
Research shows that a well-executed hybrid setup can boost productivity, improve employee satisfaction and cut costs, all of which are very obviously vital for staying competitive in today’s fast-paced market.
So, here’s why every small business should keep hybrid work on the radar:
Maximise Your Office Space and Cut Costs
Let’s be honest, office space isn’t cheap and if you’re paying for empty desks to keep the office plants company, something’s gone very wrong. Hybrid work can be a real lifesaver here, enabling flexible scheduling and shared workspaces, so you’re not paying for empty desks.
Think about it this way: a GWA study found that underutilised or mismanaged office space can cost businesses up to $11,000 per employee each year. For a small business, that can add up fast and drain funds better spent on growth, team support or new projects.
To stay proactive in optimising space, more small business are utilising tools such as Workplace Analytics, which can immensely help with identify problem areas within your office that could do with a redesign or reduction. With a smart approach to hybrid work, you can sidestep these unnecessary costs, making better use of your space and channelling those savings into areas that matter.
Attract and Retain Top Talent with Flexible Working
Spoiler: people really like working from home. Forbes reports that SMEs are leading the charge in the hybrid work revolution, helping them compete in the talent wars. Offering a hybrid work model not only attracts top talent but also shows your current team you value their time and well-being. In a small business, where every team member is essential, this flexibility can make a huge difference in morale and retention.
According to the Microsoft Work Trend Index, hybrid work is one of the most sought-after perks for today’s workforce. Small businesses may not be able to offer big salaries or endless perks, but flexibility? That’s your ace card. And it’s a massive draw when competing for top talent—or just trying to hang on to the gems you’ve already got.
Boost Productivity
Despite the hybrid working sceptics, home workers aren’t spending their home days bingeing daytime telly, they are infact typically working “harder”. By giving employees the choice of where they work best, businesses ultimately reduce distractions, eliminate long commutes and help people stay focused. A study by Stanford University found that remote employees could be up to 13% more productive than their in-office counterparts. Turns out not having to endure the soul-sucking commute does wonders for motivation…
Related Reading: Cloudbooking Introduces New Workplace Solution Bundles for Micro and Small-Sized Businesses
Real-World Lessons: The MANAG+ Case Study
For a real-life example of hybrid work done well, look no further than that of the MANAG+ case study, where a small change management consulting firm with about 30 employees showcases how to nail your hybrid work strategy. They’ve managed to turn hybrid work into an asset, reaping rewards in employee engagement, productivity and efficiency. Here’s what they’ve learned and how you can apply it to your business (like really):
Establish a Clear and Shared Framework for Hybrid Work
MANAG+ shows that a solid structure is everything. They built a clear framework for hybrid work that helps employees know when and where they’re expected to work. Here’s how they did it:
- Unified Tools for Collaboration: Consistency is key. MANAG+ standardised their tools to keep everyone on the same page, choosing options like Slack, Skype and Trello for seamless communication. Making sure your team can easily use tools like Outlook, Teams and Google is also essential. Offering accessible training on these tools within your organisation is key to keeping collaboration strong. Even better, using tools that integrate seamlessly with workspace management systems, like Cloudbooking’s, can take your workplace strategy to the next level. Connecting systems effortlessly with Microsoft Exchange and Google Workspace, ensures your team can stay connected and collaborate smoothly from anywhere (whilst keeping you in the know, of course…).
- Set In-Office Days: MANAG+ chose Monday as an in-office day, making it a time for team updates and bonding. The rest of the week is more flexible, with team leaders setting up their own schedules. Harvard Business Review highlights the importance of regular, shared in-office days for maintaining a sense of connection and team culture.
- Defined Contact Hours: To keep things running smoothly, MANAG+ also introduced core hours from 9–11 a.m. and 2–4 p.m., giving team members a dependable window for collaboration without chaining them to a strict 9-to-5. I can even weigh in on this with personal experience as Cloudbooking uses this same approach, giving all our lovely and valued employees the flexibility they need for family time, laundry and even dog walks (they don’t own dogs), whilst ensuring everyone’s available for key collaboration at specific times. It’s all about striking that perfect balance between flexibility and structure to ensure you get the best of both worlds.
Equip Managers with the Tools They Need
Hybrid work calls for managers to adapt in fresh and impactful ways. MANAG+ recognized that a coaching approach, where managers provide regular support, listen closely to their teams and offer constructive feedback, is what makes the real difference. This style of leadership is essential for helping employees thrive in a hybrid setup.
According to CIPD research, managers who support hybrid work effectively can boost both performance and engagement. MANAG+ took this to heart by training managers in remote leadership and feedback strategies. Might be an idea to consider supporting your managers in similar ways to strengthen the entire framework; they’re the glue that holds hybrid work together after all.
Emphasise Flexibility and Engagement Across Teams
Hybrid work is more than just a policy, it’s a chance to create a more flexible and fulfilling work environment. MANAG+ encouraged employees to shape their workday around core hours, giving them room to balance work and personal responsibilities. This trust immensely improved morale and productivity across the board.
Improved morale and trust is the cornerstone of every great company, especially in a hybrid setting and this is only further supported by the fact that hybrid and remote workers feel a heightened sense of responsibility in working out-of-hours. If that’s not improved productivity, I don’t know what is and whether those extra hours are because of loyalty, freedom or just fewer pointless meetings, we’ll take it.
Leverage Hybrid Work to Keep Your Best People
At MANAG+, adopting a hybrid work model has been a game-changer for attracting and keeping top talent. Cutting out long commutes has not only increased job satisfaction but also kept turnover low, and research backs this up (shocking, that when you cut commutes, resignations drop like a rock). Stanford University found that when employees moved to a hybrid schedule, resignations dropped by an insane 33%, especially among those with notably long commutes and non-managerial roles.
This flexibility goes a long way in boosting job satisfaction too. In fact, a FlexJobs survey revealed that 17% of employees would take a 20% pay cut just to work remotely. Honestly, is there anything else to say?
Related Reading: How to Optimise Your Workspace with These 8 Occupancy Metrics
Ready to reap the benefits yourself?
So, it’s clear hybrid work has changed the game for small businesses, with it offering benefits that go way beyond flexible schedules and letting people joyously log in from the sofa. With the right setup, it’s a powerful tool to boost productivity, attract top talent and reduce costs. As the MANAG+ case study shows, a structured approach, equipped managers and a flexible culture can make hybrid work a true asset. If you’re interested in reading the full case study, which I’d heavily recommend if you’ve bothered to read this article, you can find it here.
For small businesses ready to dive in, hybrid work is “the” chance to create a happier, more engaged team and build a workplace that works for everyone. Embracing hybrid isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about setting your business up to thrive in a new era of work.
So, now you’ve got a proven guide on how to smash your hybrid transition, what’s stopping you? Cloudbooking Micro Bundle has all the tools you need to make the transition seamless (Did I mention it’s only £99 per month)! Whether it’s desk booking, car parking booking, rooms or just a team to guide you through what seems like a scary change, Cloudbooking has everything you need at the touch of a button. Don’t fall behind the trends and get in touch now, future you will thank you.
