5 tips for running a hybrid model and making it work

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With today's employees wanting more say in where they live and work, hybrid work models are becoming increasingly popular. So how can you make a hybrid workplace work for both in-office and remote members?

Hybrid has its challenges: it costs more money, it takes an intentional effort to build relationships, and you have to be strategic about spending resources. For some organizations, these investments may seem prohibitive. If this is your case, you may prefer an all-in-person or all-remote model.

But hybrid is possible...if you approach it and invest in it the right way to make it work. Here are five ways to harness hybrid working and make it work for your team:

Related: How to Manage a Happy and Healthy Hybrid Workforce

1. Intentionally design social experiences

Be committed to creating social activities that transcend location. Design rituals that foster a sense of camaraderie, belonging and community. Bring team members together in the office and remotely with:

Random pairings, recreating the desktop water cooler experience (try Donut!)

Virtual happy hours and games/contests (we are big fans of GeoGuessr)

Questions to get to know you on team calls or in Slack (know your team has some great ones)

2. Choose remote tools and systems first

When an organization chooses tools, systems, and software based on cost savings, it often sacrifices ease of use. These types of thrifty products often make simple tasks difficult for the people who need to use them.

Now incorporate the reality of remote work into the equation, and remote team members find themselves with even more hurdles and hurdles to jump through. The impact? It robs them of time, mental space, and . Choose third-party tools designed for remote teams. Start by learning about the best tools and services such as:

Gusto: An easy-to-use HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more

Slack: A platform designed to help teams collaborate

Loom: A screen recorder that simplifies collaboration and presentations

Brex: a financial platform for payments, cards, expense management and more

3. Offer additional perks to remote staff

There is no doubt that remote staff have a very different work experience than team members in the office. It is a reality that you have to face. Find ways to offer perks that help offset some of the in-person benefits that remote staff lose.

Need some ideas?

Offer a stipend to help cover the cost of coworking spaces.

Create and send exclusive gifts to remote staff that reinforce your brand.

Offer gift cards with an approximate value of snacks and meals at the office.

Ship Sonos speakers to remote staff so they can have fun with the office team.

Related: Succeed in Your Hybrid Workplace by Following These Rules

4. Encourage remote work sessions

While some employees thrive working alone all day, other remote team members lack the camaraderie and easy collaboration that come with the office experience. Help them overcome this inconvenience by encouraging and facilitating remote work sessions.

In your team calendar, schedule optional blocks of time when team members can hop on Zoom and work "side-by-side". This can facilitate friendly banter and opportunities to ask random questions.

Some leaders might be tempted to...