Dive Into the Future of Smart Working – The Foundation for a Thriving Business Begins Here

Business is changing fast. This dramatic transformation is propelled by rapid advancements in technology and evolving expectations. The rise of smart working has emerged as a powerful force, presenting many opportunities for large businesses to optimise the way they operate. By embracing this approach, organisations can navigate a path towards success, capitalising on seamless hybrid experiences, intelligent workspaces and better business control.

Gone are the days when the conventional office setup was the sole hub of productivity. We live in a world where work is no longer confined to a physical space, as technological innovations enable employees to connect and collaborate seamlessly from anywhere. This newfound flexibility creates countless possibilities for companies to improve their productivity, attract top talent, and build flexible working environments. But how do you make the most of the opportunity?

Enhance resilience with better business control

The recent economic troubles have had a profound impact on businesses, however, many have learned to both survive and thrive in these unprecedented times. Yet despite being resilient and capable of adapting to this new environment, many businesses continue to face unique challenges.

• In a survey conducted by the government, they found that only 55% of large businesses report being safeguarded against cyber security risks.¹

• New research from DCMS found that 34% feel that better awareness training and education at the board level is needed to make better cyber resilience decisions.²

• 48% of people leave full-time education without advanced digital skills. The UK economy, according to government sourced estimates, loses £63 billion in potential GDP a year due to the digital skills gap.³

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, digital technologies are becoming increasingly essential to the future of work. As a result, businesses must ensure that they have a secure digital network that can support their growth, with reliable connectivity at its foundation.

A staggering 93% of large businesses believe innovative technologies are essential in driving digital transformation⁴, while 91% of businesses founded in the past two years believe it's crucial to their creation. By prioritising technology and connectivity, companies can effectively sell and operate online, adapt to changing consumer needs, free up time to focus on building stronger customer relationships, and position themselves for success in today's digital-first economy.

Create collaborative, seamless hybrid experiences

The way we work and how to get the best from our employees has changed dramatically over the past decade. This shift presents both an opportunity and a challenge to large businesses, as they navigate the conflict between substantial resources and complex technological advancements.

• Forbes estimate over 40% of companies have a multitude of collaboration platforms in place.⁵ Yet despite having a choice of tools at their disposal, 67% of UK-based remote workers feel disconnected from their colleagues.⁶

• In the Work Trend Index survey conducted by Microsoft, 53% of employees say they are more likely to prioritise health and wellbeing over work in the post-pandemic era.⁷

• 61% of UK large businesses experienced a cyber attack in the past year. 94% reported phishing attempts, and 49% encountered denial of service, malware or ransomware attacks, claims gov.uk⁸

Now for the good news. Designed for smart and flexible working, Vodafone's easy-to-use collaboration tools and comprehensive security services help businesses tackle these issues at once – bringing teams closer together, enabling flexibility without sacrificing productivity or performance, and ensuring effective cyber security protection so you can confidently embrace new ways of working without creating risks for your business.

Reimagine the future with intelligent workspaces

Hybrid working is here to stay – and businesses are adapting to the changing infrastructure needed to support it. Breakthrough digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality (VR)/Augmented Reality (AR), cloud computing, and 5G are revolutionising the way we work, enabling better collaboration, more efficient workflows and faster decision-making.

With the right devices and data at their disposal, businesses have the potential to become far more productive and efficient. However, connecting these machines, people, and data is not always straightforward, and businesses can struggle to achieve the growth, efficiency and productivity they desire.

• In research conducted by Forbes, 45% of organisations anticipate skill gaps within the next five years.⁹

• Forbes also claim that 61% of business leaders are turning to automation to help alleviate the burden that staffing issues have caused.¹⁰

• 79% of businesses are at the proof-of-concept stage with extended reality tools. CCS insights state that AR, VR and the Metaverse are all under serious consideration as enablers of hybrid working.¹¹

By leveraging these powerful technologies and creating seamless connections between devices, people and data, businesses can unlock their full potential, accelerate their growth, enhance their productivity, and discover the endless possibilities for collaboration and innovation.

Setting the pace for a brighter future

The future is exceptionally bright and brimming with opportunities. That’s why, at Vodafone, we empower organisations to embrace the Future of Smart Working.

Vodafone enables large businesses to tackle their challenges and become future-ready with connected digital technology. Our solutions are built on our award-winning network, and we provide expert advice to help you achieve the best outcomes. With our industry-leading services, you can invest in a brighter future and realise immediate value that lasts for years to come.