The Future of Work is Now What’s Next for the Workplace: A Panel Discussion on the Post-Pandemic Workplace

The pandemic has ushered in a new and sudden era of remote work — and the expectation that it will continue — for millions of professionals. Coming out of the pandemic, our options for “the new workplace” are boundless, from remote work to co-working to using virtual and augmented reality to improve productivity.

Recently, Innovate Mississippi held their annual Accelerate Conference on Technology Innovation. Our BCM Adam Horlock was joined on that panel by moderator Eric Hughes of The Hive, A Branding Agency, and panelists Amber Coeur of Lobaki, and Lauren Dendy of FORVIS.

In our panel discussion, we talked about several of those changes and how your company can navigate them. Our expert panelists provided insights on a range of topics, from the challenges and benefits of remote work to the role of technology in the workplace of the future.

Here are some key takeaways from the discussion:

1. The panelists agreed that the biggest challenge facing companies when it comes to remote work is managing employee productivity.
2. The key to managing productivity is setting clear expectations and communicating regularly with employees.
3. Employees need to be given the trust and autonomy to do their jobs, without micromanagement, which then produces better productivity.
4. The panelists noted that there are many benefits to working remotely, including increased flexibility and decreased distractions.
5. They also warned that remote work can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, so companies need to be intentional about creating a sense of community among employees.
6. Technology can help facilitate remote work by providing tools for communication and collaboration.
7. The panelists agreed that augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) will become increasingly important in the workplace, as they have the potential to improve productivity by immersing workers in their projects.
8. AR and VR can also help create a sense of community among remote workers by allowing them to interact with each other in virtual environments.
9. Ultimately, the workplace is changing, and companies need to be prepared to change with it. By being proactive and adaptable, your company can thrive in the post-pandemic world.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for the workplace of the future — it will look different for every company depending on their needs and resources. However, by being proactive and adaptable, your company can successfully navigate these changes and emerge stronger than ever before.

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