How the current environment has redefined 3 key aspects of work and how you can adapt and prepare for it. With the rapidly advancing severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the world has been strong-armed into having to work from home. And with that what has long been an experiment by a few, popular with a small percentage of working professionals, has become a reality for most. This sudden change in the way we work has quite possibly changed the future of work for good.

1. Are You Prepared for
the Future of Work?
How the current environment has redefined 3 key aspects of work and how you
can adapt and prepare for it
May 2020

2. Recently much of the world has been strong-armed into having to work from home due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.What has long been an experiment by a few became a reality for most.We
recently conducted a survey with senior executives to understand the different aspects of
‘Work from Home’and its likely impact on the future of work.When we look at the results of our
survey in combination with research and insights from some of our partner universities,it
becomes clear that this pandemic will forever change the way we will work (and hence live) in
the future.
The coronavirus has had some unintentional results by
making it compulsory for many to work from home in
many countries across the world.Keeping in mind that
the present situation is not unlike a dystopian story that
nobody thought would be real,we realized that people
have been forced to make decisions and choices they
never thought they would be making.
In a panel discussion on UCLA Anderson’s Virtual Impact
Talks,moderatedbyProfessor Terry Kramer,faculty
director of the Easton Technology Management Center,
including Eleni Kounalakis,California’s first female
lieutenant governor and Elana Zeide,PULSE Fellow in
Artificial Intelligence,Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law,Matt Plummer,VP of product strategy
at ZipRecruiter talks about how the corporate world is in an almost forced experiment.And while
many thought working remotely would take years to figure out,in fact has been established,with
some sense of coherence,almost immediately.
So everyone must have mixed feelings about this situation - from enjoying a break in their routine
and being able to spend a little more time with loved ones,to being frustrated about not having the
option to step outside and the sudden lack of a familiar routine.We leaned towards most people
being surprisingly pleased with the sudden work from home arrangement.
Through our survey we found that 86% want to continue to work from home 2 or more days every
week,and 14% want to work from home permanently.This led us to understand 2 things:
SIGNIFICANTLY MORE PEOPLE WILL WORK FROM HOME
MORE OFTEN

3. That contradiction reveals the shift in priorities and the mindset of senior executives.As we see it,
leaders and companies will have to rethink their work structure,policies,and general framework
much sooner than they had expected.
a) For many this is quite possibly their first experience working from home.The concept is more
popular with Generation Y and Z with the shift in the kind of jobs as well as renewed views and
ideas on work and work culture.And it is not as popular in the corporate world.So,for those who
have experienced it for the first time in a corporate setting have realized that they are able to work
from home with little change in the effect it has on their colleagues or perhaps quality of work.
b) The circumstances have also led many to revisit their priorities.This government issued
sequestering has allowed many to spend more time with their families and perhaps take a much
needed break from their routine.And since work hasn’t stopped,the temptation of the elusive
work-life balance presents itself and the question arises of why this arrangement can’t be
continued,if only in part,on the other side of the pandemic since work is not really affected.
While that result is not entirely unexpected,what does strike as interesting is that only 35% of the
respondents said they are more productive at home than at the office and 18% said they are just as
productive at home as they were at the office.This number is still significantly less than the
proportion of individuals (86%) who would like to continue working from home 2 or more days a
week even after the pandemic.
What would be your preferred choice in future?
How productive have you been working from home as compared to working at the office?
Work from office/co-working space only
Work remotely 2 days a week
Work remotely 3 days a week
Work remotely permanently
I have been more productive working from home
90 - 100%
60 - 80%
40 - 60%

4. quality of communication is a concern area.Just over 30% of respondents believe that lack of
dedicated attention from others is the biggest challenge they face in the current environment.
Over 60% of executives are communicating with their
teams at least once a day.29% of the respondents
recognize frequent communication with their team as
the most important contributor to higher
productivity.While the need to communicate seems
to come naturally to everyone,it is also clear that
That contradiction reveals the shift in priorities and the mindset of senior executives.As we see it,
leaders and companies will have to rethink their work structure,policies,and general framework
much sooner than they had expected.Even companies who have been working remotely before the
pandemic will have to revise the way they work and communicate with their colleagues.
In an recent conversation published by MIT Technology Review,AliRayl( VP,CustomerExperience,
Slack) and Rajesh Amandan (CEO,Ultranauts) shared their experiences about how while it is easier to
get a sense of the environment of a team by walking around and observing them interact,the virtual
shift forces them to be more deliberate in the way that they communicate,plan,and execute.
COMMUNICATION WILL DEFINE WINNING TEAMS
Communication between teams and team members
is going to be a key challenge,especially for those
who are not accustomed to this newly enforced
manner of working.Our survey results pointed to this
key aspect of‘Work from Home’.
How often are you in virtual meetings with your team?
Once a day
Twice a day
Twice a week
Multiple times in a week

5. Which of the below do you believe is the most important contributor to achieve more when
working from home?
Maintaining regular and defined work hours
Having a dedicated work space at home
Setting ground rules with the people you stay
Communicating more often with my team
Other
Teams will have to find their footing and device processes to make sure there are no gaps and no
space for miscommunication making work from home just as effective.Empathy will become even
more important for leaders as we communicate in environments where body language and gestures
are not contributing to how we relate to people and issues we discuss.
In an article by Yale Insights,Yale SOM alumni Scott Wharton,who leads Logitech’s video
collaboration group,saysitwasn’tahardshiftforhisteambecausetheyhadalreadybeen
functioning virtually.Buthedidn’thaveanappropriatesetupathomeuntiljustbeforethe
coronavirus crisis.Andforhim, thatmadeallthedifference.
CORNER OFFICE,ANYONE?
It is noteworthy that a very slim percentage of
people were challenged by not having a
dedicated work space.And only just under 20%
believe it to be an important contributor to work
efficiently from home.While in reality it is one of
the primary suggestions or tips by many
publications to be able to function productively
and effectively while working from home.It is also
what many experienced work-from-home
professionals practice.
As valuable as it might seem,very few individuals
will miss the amenities of the office to a point
where it hinders their productivity.Even though the novelty of working indefinitely from the comfort
of one’s own home might not have waned yet,the‘comfort’will continue to play a large role.Also,
more than 50% of people have indicated that they are almost as productive or more productive while
working from home.

6. So,although companies spend a considerable portion of their budget on infrastructure,service,
equipment,features,etc.,it does not measure in value.This could again mean one of two things,or
possibly both:
a) The amenities and perks are,in reality,not as valuable to employees as previously perceived,and
b) When compared to the advantages of working from home,those amenities and perks don’t
match up
If investing large portions of their budget in amenities and equipment is not perceived as a valuable
offer,more companies might understandably weave-in the flexibility of working from home and
correspondingly save their own overheads on some of the office fitouts.This might mean the future
of work will be very different very soon.
What is the biggest challenge you faced while working remotely?
Internet Connectivity
Lack of dedicated work space
Distractions at home
Not able to get other’s dedicated attention
None,working remotely is great
Human interaction.
Other

7. When it comes to tools for communication,there is a very wide adoption of video conferencing tools
and individuals have made clear choices based on ease of use,corporate policies,and security.
Corporate leaders will have to streamline the choice of tools within their teams,then standardize
those choices and practice usage after carefully considering data security,privacy,ease of use,and
bandwidth requirements.They will also lead by example in terms of setting meeting norms through
these tools such as the use of webcams,the mute feature,the chat feature,and other functionality.
Which video conferencing tool is the best for remote working?
Zoom
Skype
Google Hangouts
Webex
Microsoft Teams
Whatsapp

8. To conclude,the future of work that was predicted to change slowly through this new decade has
been revised to change here and now.Much about the way we work is set to change along with the
nature of our work relationships,processes,expectations,policies,and even types of jobs.The positive
is that work-life balance will possibly improve since many have been forced to realize it.So,while
work structures and company policies will undergo change,so will our home experiences and
lifestyles.Maybe it is time for you to have a talk with your family!
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
While our research and survey revealed a few notable aspects,UC Berkeley’s Chief Innovation and
Entrepreneurship Officer Rich Lyons shares 3 insights he has gained through his professional
experience that can be applied during the current trying times.With our research and the results of
our survey put together,here are our top 4 essential recommendations to make working from home
more productive and effective.
Working from home is going to become more prevalent and if your colleagues are choosing to do so,
eventually the purpose of going to office will also get diluted.So it will be beneficial to adjust to the
new reality by setting expectations at home and work,setting boundaries of work,and finding the
new work-life balance to manage stress levels.
ADJUSTING TO WORKING FROM HOME
Having dedicated work hours and sticking to a daily schedule can up your productivity significantly.
For those who are not accustomed to working from home,it’s easy to lose sight of work and nonwork
time leading to overlapping.This leads to unfocused work time which leads to lower productivity.
STICK TO A WORK SCHEDULE
For many working from home for the first time,a dedicated work area is something that’s missing.But
that is important to be able to work efficiently.And while it does not need to be a work desk,it can be
a dedicated spot on the dining table,or even a particular seat and coffee table in a corner.Set up your
space with everything you need for a regular working day and it will help you focus and be motivated
through the day.
SET UP A DEDICATED WORK SPACE
Stay connected with your colleagues,preferably through video calls.It is also important to have
check-ins which are defined and scheduled apart from unplanned conversation that might be
needed.In this unfamiliar situation,it is easy to feel isolated from your regular work routine,so make it
a point to communicate with your colleagues on a regular basis,whether you report to them,or
manage them,or work alongside them.This helps keep everyone motivated.
MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED
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