Inavate + Shure: Meeting equity in the age of hybrid

• Features

• 03/10/2023

The workplace continues to be in flux as employers and employees seek to find a balance between working from remote locations and being present in the office. With productivity still the number one concern for employers, making the right call on what version of hybrid work is appropriate is a critical decision.

Thankfully, Shure has the answers. Commissioning IDC for a global study on the challenges facing organisations in the new age of hybrid work, the research analysed attitudes from over 600 interviews across the US, China, Japan, the UK, France, and Germany.

The research shows that 94% of respondents expect hybrid meetings to remain a pillar of work. But more than 50% are pushing for a full return to office to improve corporate identity and collaboration.

Critically, the IDC research reveals that looking at a return to office as the sole solution might not be the only feasible viewpoint. Robin Hamerlinck, chief information officer at Shure, says: “Sourcing the correct audio equipment is the first step, and a step that puts all employees on the same playing field, so that meeting equity is achieved. As a leader in audio conferencing and communication, we commissioned IDC to address these audio challenges and prove that it is possible for both employers and employees to thrive in hybrid environments.”

Hamerlinck’s comment is prudent, especially for those who believe a return to the office is a panacea for culture building, communication, and collaboration. Hybrid routines will persist and considering this fact it is astute to plan for investment in technology rather than be forced to procure off-the-shelf solutions that are deemed ‘good enough’ due to pressing demands.

Research backs the decision to have a roadmap for investment in technology to spur hybrid work. Specifically, audio quality has an impact on both individual and group productivity. Research by Eryn J. Newman and Norbert Schwarz found poor audio quality causes listeners to perceive the speaker as less trustworthy, less intelligent, and less likeable. In addition, the content being presented is seen to be less important. Scientific research underscores that high audio quality leads to increased trustworthiness and suggests that the person with the best audio quality will probably be considered the meeting’s best contributor if others have not optimised their equipment.

Additionally, companies at a higher hybrid maturity level are more likely to have invested in better audio quality equipment, resulting in an enhanced hybrid working experience. Of organisations that are thriving financially, 72% use professional audio equipment and of those that see stable economic performance, 63% are using professional audio equipment. The right audio technology equipment might be a competitive edge that businesses can no longer afford to neglect in today’s hybrid work environment.

The question now is, how do you effectively plan investment into audio technology to maximise ROI? Eric Ong, director of sales for Southeast Asia at Shure, answers: “At Shure, we understand that the culture at every business is unique, and that hybrid can mean different things to different users, especially in Southeast Asia. Our focus is on the one common denominator which is non-negotiable and that is quality audio. Our products and solutions, from the Microflex Ecosystem to the Stem Ecosystem, have been designed to deliver the best audio performance for any space. The flexibility and adaptability of the Shure portfolio will ensure that you can create any meeting space that fits the needs of your business and users without compromise and with the highest audio quality and performance.”