Managing the Evolution of Work

Featured article by Chandrashekar LSP, Managing Director, Zoho Canada

View this article featured in CANADIAN
​BUSINESS OWNER Magazine

Canadian business owners face big decisions about how their teams work: should employees return to the office, continue working from home, or use a hybrid model; and how will Artificial Intelligence impact everything? And then there's asynchronous work in which employees spread across geographies and time zones collaborate and communicate outside of a fixed Monday through Friday, nine-to-five schedule.

Each option, compounded by the emergence of AI, presents unique opportunities and challenges, requiring a strategic approach to balance productivity, employee well-being, and business success.

According to the most recent data from Statistics Canada, about 20 percent of Canadians work most of their hours from home. This is consistent with the data from Zoho's April 2024 Canadian Business Outlook Report, which indicated that 36.3% of respondents offer flexible hours and 25.9% provide remote work options.

However, there's tension between what business owners and their employees want. Some companies have forced return-to-office mandates and then switched their positions after employee pushback. Other employers are offering perks even though there's data showing that many employees will make sacrifices, including pay cuts to remain hybrid.

As business owners grapple with how best to make as many stakeholders as happy as possible, they need to consider the pros and cons of the various work models in the near term, in addition to understanding how today's model will impact operations down the road.

For consideration

Businesses now know that many tasks can be efficiently completed from home and about the benefits of access to a broader talent pool, lower overhead costs, and enhanced team satisfaction. However, challenges such as maintaining a strong digital infrastructure and cybersecurity, effective virtual communication tools, and clear strategies to maintain company culture and employee engagement must be addressed.

Flexible work arrangements offer business advantages including higher retention and productivity. However, business owners must evaluate their specific needs and consider factors such as industry requirements, employee preferences, and the nature of tasks for all teams to ensure fair policies.

For instance, the manufacturing and healthcare sectors, which rely on an in-person presence, require a model that balances business demands with the needs of employees who may or may not have to be on site to work.

Open and frequent communications between management and staff can help assess needs and provide insights to refine work policies and operations. This two-way dialogue benefits employee well-being, which can be supported with mental health resources and work-life balance promotion to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity.

Data from Zoho's Canadian Business Outlook Report highlights a growing recognition of the importance of wellness in the workplace. As business owners navigate economic uncertainties and the technology that's changing how we work, it's important to consider ways to foster a healthier, more resilient workforce.

Tech for the changing way we work

Artificial intelligence is set to revolutionize the future of work across various industries. From automating routine tasks to enhancing decision-making processes, AI’s impact will be significant as it is increasingly embedded in our technology. While some jobs will be automated, new roles and responsibilities will emerge to manage and improve operations.


However, even though it may be too soon to understand all the implications of AI on work, the time is right to develop a tech strategy for the changing way we work. This strategy should:

• Support flexible work models with cloud-based solutions, collaboration tools, and remote desktop services such as Zoho Workplace.
• Allow for flexible scheduling with time and shift management software.
• Enhance productivity with integrated communications systems.
• Automate tasks with AI assistants and tools.
• Protect customer and employee privacy with multi-factor authentication, compliance management and regular security training.​

As the way we work evolves, Canadian business owners have the opportunity to refine their workplace strategies. Regardless of where, when, and how teams do their jobs, the key is to remain flexible and responsive to the changing business and team needs. By doing so, businesses can not only thrive, but also foster a more adaptable, resilient, and satisfied workforce.