The world of work is changing rapidly. Needs evolve, and with them the way you deal with them should also change .

For some time, in particular it comes to Working Smarter, a business philosophy developed by Plantronics, the American multinational leader in cutting-edge audio solutions for communication. In addition to being an important vector for the marketing of this company, this new approach can be useful and offer insights to other realities.

What is Smarter Working?

To Working Smarter means the offer people more freedom and flexibility in how, when and where to work. In addition, it is also a concept of work linked to the increased collaboration, satisfaction and productivity.

Here you can see a video that shows this approach.

The key points of this approach are mobility, collaborative approach and empowerment of employees.

The whole is also synthesized in the “three B’s” of Working Smarter:

• Bricks, namely the evolution of the working space;
• Bytes, ie implementation of the technology and tools ITC suited to the new requirements;
• Behaviour, or new ways of managing employees.

The advantages of this approach

The new vision of Plantronics is part of a development that sees the technologies of personal communication closer and closer to the professional level, to promote not only the emergence of new working styles, simplifying communications in the workplace, but also policies work- life balance that will ultimately improve the lives of everyone. Consider the needs of professionals who carry out their work moving – not necessarily being eight hours in the office -, telework, employees within an organization that need to move freely and to discuss and share opinions and strategies.

According to an independent study sponsored by Plantronics (Plantronics Leesman Index Study 2011), the application of the Working Smarter leads to a reduction of 30% in real estate costs, a 60% decrease in absenteeism, a 20% increase in staff satisfaction and customer feedback.

The situation in Italy

But how can the impact of Smarter Working in Italy? In this regard it is made at Politecnico di Milano Smart Working Observatory which is a point of reference for the development of a culture of innovation and as a support to key decision makers – Heads of Information Systems (CIO), Resources Managers human and Facility Manager – in the definition of new models and workspaces in Italian companies.

Some critical of this approach may still be the risk of too much flexibility and constant reachability could lead to too much work, do not remove the risk of never. The corporate culture is then what makes the difference, not so much the Legislature or technology.

But the fact remains that technology is a powerful tool in the service of the people, which are the key to Working Smarter. Give their employees the right tools, the right space and the necessary confidence, along with the freedom to choose how they work, can lead to great results.