Microsoft launches 'Hybrid Organisation' initiative

Microsoft says new breed of agile 'hybrid firms' will win out over less forward-looking organisations

Microsoft says firms resistant to technology and work changes will die

Firms that are resistant to changing technology and work settings will suffer at the hands of new more agile firms, said Microsoft in a report yesterday.

The report, called Creating the Hybrid Organisation: Making Public and Private Sector Organisations Relevant in the New Economy, looks at how employees should operate within their physical workplaces and with IT to make themselves as agile as possible.

It also recognises that the distinction between work and home life has blurred, but that this has empowered staff. There are also opportunities presented by a mix of generations.

Microsoft originally commissioned three studies, each looking at the changing world of work.

First, Lancaster University's director of the Social Futures Laboratory Michael Hulme examined the social and cultural changes in the workplace, comparing the 1960s and 70s with today.

Cordless Group chief executive Philip Ross looked at emerging technologies and how they have allowed staff to work outside a traditional office environment.

Finally, Microsoft’s Cambridge Research Labs' deputy managing director Ken Wood and Dave Coplin looked at the technological developments in the workplace, from video-conferencing to natural user interfaces.

These studies fed into the final report which also incorporates views from Institute of Directors chief economist and head of policy Graeme Leach, 2020 Public Services think-tank researcher Charlotte Alldritt, and Microsoft SMB general manager Scott Dodds.

To help enable increased agility, Microsoft has provided a 20-point Hybrid Organisation plan, giving guidance to both private and public sector organisations.

The plan focuses on areas relating to people, technology and workplace themes.

Here are each of the 20 points:

1. It’s not them and us
2. Identify skills gaps and bridge them
3. Offer choice
4. Trust your people
5. Involve your people in decision-making
6. Avoid sequential processes
7. Encourage self-service
8. Open up information and data
9. Is your office fit for purpose?
10. Facilitate chance meetings
11. Remove the physical trappings of seniority
12. Join teams and organisations together virtually
13. Think ‘human’ first and ‘technology’ second
14. IT should be part of the fabric of your organisation
15. Replicate personal experiences and preferences in the workplace
16. Technology is the least of your worries
17. Be prepared for change
18. Don’t fall into the trap of short-termism
19. Proactive change delivers profitability
20. Do one project well and others will follow