Remote Working
Beta Solutions successfully transitioned to remote work with minimal disruption, leveraging cloud-based software and communication solutions already in place.
Remote working has proven beneficial to both employers and employees. Reduced commute times allow workers more family time, better rest, and reduced stress, potentially improving productivity and creativity. Historically, productivity concerns deterred remote work adoption, but lockdown demonstrated workers can perform effectively from home.
With remote arrangements and flexible schedules, employers can reduce real estate costs by providing hot desks, meeting rooms, and labs rather than permanent office space.
Technology
During lockdown, technology became essential to both work and social connection. Companies rapidly adopted digital collaboration platforms including Zoom, Slack, Asana, Skype for Business, and Google Meet.
Augmented and virtual reality tools have helped replicate personal connections from in-person meetings, with employees using messaging services for virtual social breaks. As work continues evolving, technology will facilitate team cohesion across online and offline environments.
Culture
Trust represented a significant barrier to remote work, with companies relying on "presenteeism" for staff management. Lockdown forced employers to treat employees as professionals, requiring renewed collective corporate purpose for sustainability.
Companies strengthening culture during crisis will emerge more resilient and better positioned for future challenges and disruptions.
Learnability and Inventiveness
In this transformed work landscape, adaptability, innovation, and rapid skill acquisition become competitive advantages. The crisis forced workflow reinvention, technology optimization, and organizational restructuring.
Companies across sectors adapted, gyms launched online workouts, created tracking apps, and opened online shops. Financial pressures prompted organizations to identify synergies, efficiencies, and outsourcing opportunities.
Beta Solutions' Experience
Beta Solutions managed remote transitions smoothly, with engineers bringing personal electronic tools home for prototyping. Minimal delays occurred, primarily from shipping materials.
At New Zealand's Level 3, staff continued remote work unless laboratory access was needed for prototyping, assembly, or production. All staff received COVID-19 health briefings, and offices were prepared for safe hygiene protocols.
The company provides electronic design services across industries, offering a 1-hour complimentary virtual consultation for potential clients.
