Adapt hybrid work or risk your revenue: Ben Dawson, VP ANZ Cisco

Organisations that are hesitant to implement and accept hybrid work could be forsaking their revenues, according to Ben Dawson, VP ANZ at Cisco.

At Cisco Live in Melbourne, Dawson said those organisations that force their staff into the office could be doing more than just damaging the culture, but ultimately impact their bottom lines.

He told Digital Nation, “The revenue impact will come as a secondary consequence, the other big challenge is skills.

“If you look by industry, the biggest shortage we have in this country at the moment is chef and truck drivers, but in the technology industry, we have incredible shortages. This means the balance of power is with employees which means if I enjoy having some flexibility in my work life and my employer isn't going to provide that, I’ve got options.”

Dawson said he doesn’t subscribe to the notion that we should force people back to the office.

“I do not think it'll work, I do not think you will attract and retain talent if you do that, and ultimately it will flow onto your business performance.”

Hybrid work has become ubiquitous in the industry that it should be rebranded as “work”, Dawson explained.

“It makes it sound like it's a transient or new phenomenon, the reality is we're going to be working in a different mode for the long term,” he said.

In the Cisco Hybrid Work Survey, Dawson quoted that 90 percent of respondents expect and want to work in a hybrid or fully-remote work model.

“A lot of effort has gone in from Australian organisations on how do they get people back to work. We increasingly have to recognise they're not coming back or they’re certainly not coming back on our terms but coming back on their terms as employees.

“They've told us through that survey, they're happier, healthier, financially better off, and they feel more productive, so what's not to like?”

While hybrid work is becoming the norm, offices still have an important role in a company.

Dawson said, “The role of the office is here but it is going to play a very different role of collaboration, interaction and socialisation.”

Athina Mallis travelled to Cisco Live in Melbourne as a guest of Cisco.