Snapshot Research
The rules that have governed how companies operate for the past 150 years are changing and no one is really certain of what comes next. Companies need to have leaders and organizations who are comfortable operating with uncertainty and can rapidly evolve to adapt to changing markets and directions. Snapshot Research provides innovative analysis capturing the current state of mind of digital professionals.
Each month we will conduct research into a different timely topic. A list of all previous research topics and their findings can be found here.
Current Snapshot Research Project:
Digital Trend Curve
We are everyday overwhelmed by new trends and concepts as part of digitalization that may improve our performance or competitiveness. This Snapshot allows us to rate the current relevance and value of key digital trends and concepts in the market. Each trend/concept will be categorized in six phases:
- Emerging: Innovative trend or concept that is not fully defined and structured.
- Rapid Growth: Interest of early adopters who understand the value and implications of the digital trend or concept.
- Hype: A trend with high attention in media driving a hype among companies and organizations - without understanding the complete working and implication of trend/concept.
- Disillusion: Many companies invested in the trend/concept have been unable to harvest the benefits and feel disillusioned.
- Abandonment: Some companies simply cannot seem to harvest the benefits of the trend or concept and get so Disillusioned they Abandon it.
- Maturing: A mature trend/concept with clear definition, structure and benefits which has become a common practice in the IT/business organization.
Results from Previous Research Project:
The Pandemic and the Next Normal
Our last Snapshot Research focused on the Pandemic the Next Normal.
Employees expect to work a moderate amount remotely after the pandemic (few days a week). This likely means respondents have learned better “work/life” balance habits that will convey into the next normal. Apparently, the physical office plays a role in the socialization aspect of respondents. The physical closeness may also contribute to organizational vision and direction. We should not discount that some may have “friends” at work that they only see while in a physical office setting.
Employees expect leadership to be more flexible regarding remote work (88% strongly agree or agree). Organizations have used the “work/life” balance perhaps more to help their employees gain perspective. This perspective allows the physical office to be an outlet of sorts just like home being an outlet for the physical office. That balance enhances productivity. Now when the pandemic has changed the “remote work” rules, many employees have gotten a taste for a different “work/life” balance and are not willing to let it go. They expect leaders to promote a different paradigm of “work/life.”
Employees feel comfortable in the office (75%) and want to combine it with remote work. As stated before, many employees like the social environment in the office and need the social context to work and find motivation and engagement.
Inside the Data
Detail analysis of this research data and previous Snapshot Research projects can be found here.