Ways to Effectively Measure Performance in a Hybrid Work Environment

So much has changed over the past two years. With the disruptions we’ve had to endure due to COVID, both personally and professionally, many companies have had to learn to evolve quickly. For business leaders, this meant restructuring their operations to adapt to a safer remote setup while rebuilding their performance models. In May 2020, 41% of employees who previously worked in an office reported working from home exclusively, while 26% spent some time in the office in September 2021. And today, 54% of U.S. employees who work remotely would like to split their time between the office and home. This demonstrates that the hybrid model is here to stay and provides flexibility and increased productivity, a top priority for remaining with their current company. 

As a result, businesses are forced to embrace a remote or hybrid setup permanently. In fact, a survey showed that 70% of companies said that they were planning to adopt the hybrid mode, while 20% of employers will be returning to a primarily office-based model. 

But with this additional flexibility in the workplace, it begs the question of how to effectively measure performance in a hybrid work environment. If your company is looking for some guidance in this post-pandemic “new norm” structure, here are some effective ways to improve performance management.

Implement KPIs

Being able to measure the performance and productivity of your workforce is crucial to the health and success of your company, especially now with hybrid structures. This is where KPIs come into play. KPI stands for Key Performance Indicator, which is one of the most important and effective metrics used to help companies define and achieve their core business goals. They can also be used to set specific targets, measure progress over time, and track key results spanning different departments such as marketing, sales, and HR. To be most effective, KPIs should be customized based on your business and specific objectives. These are essential tools for creating strategies, measuring success, and making any adjustments that might be required. So if your business hasn’t already been utilizing KPIs, now’s a good time to start.

Encourage Transparent Communication

Good communication has always been vital for businesses to survive, and in today’s hybrid environment, it’s imperative. Management teams need to encourage frequent communication and transparency to keep employees engaged and on track. Since we can’t rely on in-person interactions for pulse or performance checks, regular communication should be prioritized to promote collaboration and teamwork, and to ensure your team is aligned with your business goals. Beyond the immediate business objectives, simply asking your team how they’re doing can also help managers understand what might be hindering their productivity, and what resources or tools could help to improve both their wellbeing and performance.

Focus on Outcomes Rather than Output

As the office environment changes, so do the typical 9 to 5 timeframe. With the enhanced flexibility of work hours, companies should not be attempting to measure performance or productivity based on the output from employees, meaning their work hours or the units produced. What really matters to your company’s bottom line is the outcome from your employee’s input. This means leaders and management should focus their time on monitoring things like customer satisfaction, revenue, and go-to-market achievements.

Hire a Consultant

In such uncertain times where so much is changing at a rapid pace, keeping up can be challenging. When you’re juggling so much already as a business owner or manager, taking on the task of restructuring your workforce and rebuilding performance measures might feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you don’t have to take on this burden. Hire a consultant to do it for you. They can assist with everything, from your sales strategy to your business operations to your brand development to revenue growth and more. Having a business consultant by your side can offer the professional, expert guidance you can lean on to ensure you’re moving in the right direction and can continue to grow sustainably. 

Changing times require a change in the way companies operate and structure their workplace. Otherwise, they risk falling behind. Although measuring performance in a hybrid environment can feel more challenging, it all comes down to setting clear goals and a clear strategy, providing the support and resources your workers need, and hiring help when your business is struggling to adapt and move forward. 

About the Author

Paola Accettola, Principal and CEO of True North HR, a nationally recognized HR consulting team in Canada. True North HR aims to help their clients help extend or supplement their HR department. The team provides these HR services with over 20 years of experience to bring value to their clients. 

Paola is an HR leader committed to transforming her deep knowledge into helping companies find smart and simple HR solutions. She aims to help clients by providing these solutions to inspire their people skills and drive measurable business growth. Paola has had over 25 years in senior levels working with companies such as Nike and Cineplex. She launched True North HR Consulting in 2019 and has established herself as a thought leader in HR and practical partner for businesses in Canada and the US.