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5 Remote Work and Hiring Trends That Will Shape Future Workforce Decisions
By Andrew Bourne, Region Manager, Africa, Zoho Corporation
Businesses around the globe have spent the better part of this year adjusting to the new reality of remote working. While a few companies have reopened their premises and allowed employees to office full-time, many companies have either gone fully remote or adopted a hybrid model that incorporates a ‘2-3 days in office’ requirement for staff. With workplace regulations also becoming stricter, buzzy office spaces might soon become part of a pre-COVID era.
Here are a few ways that remote work will shake up individual lifestyles, business operations, and functional areas like human resources:
1) A hybrid work model that supports work from ‘anywhere+office’
The adoption of the hybrid model of work, which is a combination of remote work and onsite work, will continue to increase in the post-COVID world. While some employees will prefer work-from-home as it allows them to be more productive, provides flexibility, prevents the office commute and supports location independence, others will opt for office as they feel face-to-face interactions with peers are necessary to be productive. Organisations may also adopt a model where employees are required to come into the office only a few days a week.
2) Hub-and-Spoke offices
An office style that might gain further traction is the hub-and-spoke workspace. Organisations may have their central headquarters (hub) for periodic team gatherings and strategy discussions, and a network of small satellite offices spread across various small towns or rural villages in a country.
The model promises dual benefits. Small offices substantially reduce operational costs for organisations, while also allowing employees to work in an office that’s closer to their hometowns. This will subsequently bring forth a true revitalisation of smaller towns and cities, as businesses slowly realise that they don’t need to be based in a metro in order to achieve success.
3) Adoption of HR tech
As remote work continues to take off, the adoption of cloud-based HR technologies will increase to provide seamless employee experience while working remotely. These technologies also help keep employees engaged and productive. Many organisations will turn to HR tech for functions like virtual hiring, onboarding, learning and development, performance management and smart decision-making.
4) Remote hiring
The way organisations hire employees changed drastically in 2020. In-person interviews were quickly replaced by video interviews. This trend will continue well into 2021.
● Companies will try to mimic the time-tested format of “test followed by interview” to evaluate a job applicant. However, the ineffectiveness of those practices will become evident in the remote-first world, and they will scramble for new approaches that address the core of the problem.
● The focus will shift instead to automated and manual evaluation of historic proof available online of a person’s capabilities, as demonstrated by their contribution to open source technology platforms, YouTube, Instagram, Dribble (user interface design), Medium, Facebook, and Twitter (marketing and content writing).
● Soft skills like communication, collaboration, teamwork, and adaptability will be given more importance while evaluating applicants.
● Diversity and inclusion will become an integral part of the recruitment strategy and many organisations will be able to improve workforce diversity with remote work.
● From an applicant’s point of view, the best talent will look for companies that offer remote work, flexible policies, better health cover and enable more family-time and a lower cost of living. Perks like gourmet cafeterias, gyms, game rooms, nap pods, and unlimited free snacks will lose their appeal.
5) Changing performance assessment trends
One of the key business aspects which has changed considerably by remote working is performance management. Organisations will start measuring what matters: work done instead of hours worked, and visions accomplished versus tasks completed. Some companies are making performance reviews an ongoing process, giving up annual routines. Continuous feedback will become an essential aspect of employee management, which will help the workers clearly navigate their job responsibilities and expectations when they work remotely. Rethinking the goal-setting approach and identifying core measurement functions is the first step towards sanity in this new normal.
No stopping evolution
Ultimately, the events of 2020 accelerated existing trends by forcing businesses to embrace the paradigm shift in workforce management and employee experience. While there will always be resistance at different levels, it’s clear that there’s no going back to the pre-pandemic normal. These trends will continue to shape the world of work in 2021. If anything, change isn’t such a bad thing if we’re now working smarter as opposed to harder.
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Ina Alogwu Joins 9mobile as Chief Digital and Innovation Officer
9mobile has appointed Ina Alogwu as its new Chief Digital and Innovation Officer (CDIO), marking another significant step in the company’s business transformation agenda.
In his new role, Alogwu will be responsible for guiding the development and execution of 9mobile’s long-term strategy across the entire digital and technology ecosystem, including new technologies, digital platforms, and business models while nurturing a culture of innovation within the organization.
His appointment demonstrates 9mobile’s firm commitment to driving digital transformation and enhancing its innovative capabilities to better serve customers and stay ahead of market trends.
Alogwu is a visionary leader and seasoned strategist with nearly two decades of transformative experience in digital commerce, mobile payments, and technology ecosystems, making him an invaluable addition to 9mobile’s leadership team.
He has a proven ability to identify emerging trends and harness them to develop and execute groundbreaking digital products and strategies. His expertise spans product innovation, data strategy implementation, and agile business transformations, all of which have delivered significant and sustainable results across diverse industries and regions.
He joins 9mobile from ARM Holding Company, Nigeria, where he was the Group Director, Digital Transformation and spearheaded innovation initiatives, implemented a robust data strategy, and managed venture-building programmes that supported numerous African tech startups.
His very distinguished and diverse professional journey also includes an impactful tenure at Interswitch Limited, where he held roles such as Group Head, Verve Digital, and Group Head, Payment Processing. In these roles, he led the creation of groundbreaking payment platforms and digital solutions across West and East Africa.
Earlier in his career, Alogwu held roles at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a Training Specialist and worked at Integrated Business Strategies as a Business Analyst.
Speaking about the appointment, 9mobile CEO Obafemi Banigbe expressed confidence in Alogwu’s ability to lead the company’s innovation efforts, saying, “Alogwu’s broad professional background makes him the perfect fit for our innovative and business transformation journey as he joins a team of recently appointed senior business leaders to drive this process and the next phase of our growth.
“His role is crucial for navigating today’s fast-paced digital environment. And he has been entrusted to lead the charge in harnessing new technologies, driving digital transformation, and ensuring the company remains adaptable to change, which is integral to fostering innovation and positioning 9mobile as a forward-thinking leader in its industry.”
The New CDIO said, “I’m delighted to join 9mobile and collaborate with the CEO and the leadership team on the innovative initiatives already in progress.
As we navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape, I’m eager to leverage my expertise in digital strategy, technology, and innovation to drive 9mobile’s mission to deliver exceptional customer experiences and achieve our strategic objectives.”
Alogwu’s academic credentials further underline his readiness for this role. He holds an Executive Master’s in Digital Transformation and Innovation Leadership from IE Business School, Madrid, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business from Emeritus Institute, in collaboration with MIT and Columbia Business School.
He also completed the Senior Management Program at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, and earned a BSc. in Geology & Mining from the University of Jos, Nigeria.
His education is further enriched by certifications in Product Management, Lean Six Sigma, and Strategic Innovation, equipping him with a robust foundation to drive innovation, lead digital transformation, and achieve business excellence in competitive landscapes.
His ability to combine academic knowledge with practical expertise has positioned him as a trailblazer in the digital commerce and technology sectors.
Beyond his technical expertise, Alogwu is adept at cultivating and managing strategic relationships with global multilateral organizations and financial institutions, leveraging these partnerships to unlock profitable opportunities. He has consistently demonstrated excellence in leading multicultural teams and navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments to deliver transformative outcomes.
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NAICOM Signs Agreement with NDPC on Data Protection in Insurance Sector
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), has signed agreement with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) with the aim of enhancing data protection within the insurance sector.
According to NAICOM, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has as its objectives training and capacity building in the area of providing training to enhance awareness and skills in data protection, establishing privacy clinics by setting up specialised clinics to address data protection concerns and provide guidance.
NAICOM said other objectives of the agreement include conducting compliance activities, regularly monitoring and enforcing compliance with data protection regulations, promoting awareness in the area of educating insurance companies on the importance of data protection and the benefits of adhering to best practices.
Developing data protection guidelines through creation of specialized guidelines for insurance institutions to ensure they are equipped to handle data protection responsibilities effectively.
NAICOM said the collaboration marked a significant milestone in safeguarding the personal data of insurance policyholders and promoting trust in the insurance sector.
The commission said to ensure the effective implementation of the agreement, an implementation committee would be established. The committee, the commission said, would comprise of representatives from the two agencies, as well as other key industry associations, including the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB).
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5 Benefits of MTN Mobile Ads for your Business
Businesses worldwide are increasingly embracing mobile advertising services, allowing them to connect with potential customers directly on their smartphones and engage with them more effectively.
This trend is rapidly gaining momentum, and companies in Nigeria are also taking part in this shift.
Every day, more Nigerian businesses are seeking the most efficient strategies to reach their target audiences and convert them into loyal customers.
MTN Nigeria is redefining digital advertisement with MTN Mobile Ads. With a rich customer base of 79.5 million subscribers in Nigeria, MTN Mobile Ads continues to help businesses reach millions of customers nationwide.
Here are five reasons you should use MTN Mobile Ads for your business advertisements:
Targeted marketing
MTN Mobile Ads uses first party data to enable specific targeting of audience based on behaviour, interests and demographic. This ensures that your marketing efforts are directed toward the most relevant audiences, thereby increasing engagement and conversion.
Data-Driven Insights:
Businesses can gain valuable insights from their advertising campaigns, allowing them to fine-tune their strategies for maximum impact. This data-driven approach helps in optimizing campaigns based on real user behaviour and preferences
Diverse advertising formats
This service supports several advertising formats including targeted SMS, marketplace listing on the MyMTN app, display banners, and Rich messaging services (RCS) across both mobile and web platforms. This versatility allows your business to customize your marketing strategy to suit different audience preferences and increase engagement opportunities.
Data-free solutions
MTN Mobile Advertising provides data-free solutions. That means users can view your Ads with or without data. This feature significantly increases engagement rate as it allows your business connect with customers who may have been avoiding ads to save their data.
Cost-effective
With MTN Mobile Ads, you can choose an advertising plan that suits your budget. This flexibility allows businesses to enjoy the benefits of advertising without overspending.
As competition in businesses increase, the need to make advertising a crucial part of your marketing strategy cannot be over-emphasized.
MTN’s Mobile advertising services are the most result-oriented strategy your business should engage in so you can have the same opportunities your competitors may have.
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