Hybrid working can help recruit and retain talent, upskill leaders and boost team working, suggests a case study from an international professional services firm

• Published in: Strategic HR review 2022-02, Vol.21 (1), p.34-40
• Main Author: Summerfield, Richard
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Architecture; Capital expenditures; Case studies; Culture; Employees; Leadership; Teams
• ISSN: 1475-4398; 1758-8537
• DOI: 10.1108/SHR-11-2021-0060

Purpose This paper sets out the three-year people strategy at the core of a traditional professional services firm’s ambitious plans to transform into a progressive, agile and fast-growing business. The lynchpin of its acquisitions-led and people-centred cultural transformation programme is Project Zander, a pioneering hybrid working experience in its Jersey office that can be adapted to different geographic locations as the business expands. Design/methodology/approach Individual-level information gathered from the firm. Findings Nesting a hybrid working model within a clearly articulated people strategy aligned with corporate values appears to be setting the business well on the way to achieving its ambitions. Key is the ability of leaders to plan ahead for the future, mapping out a three-year journey with important milestones along the way. Although it is still early days, the business is already seeing a positive impact on collaboration, team working, staff recruitment and retention, leadership development, empowerment and creativity, employee engagement, and rebuilding the confidence of young people, many of whom have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns. Originality/value The strategy has an innovative hybrid working approach as its cornerstone