In talking with many IVP portfolio executives in the last weeks, most acknowledge that COVID-19 has thrown them into a remote work future that they had envisioned, but had envisioned unfolding over years and not days. The good news is that we hear things like team collaboration is at an all-time high and digital tools have made this less disruptive than we would have thought and employees, across ranks, have stepped up in ways we've never seen before. This is leading many business leaders to think more about permanent changes that may be possible reducing real estate footprint, embracing a distributed culture, allowing flexible hours, etc.
Today we are all in shelter-in-place, but that could change soon and better to get ahead of it and be prepared. We have pulled together our thoughts and suggestions for what to do and think about now to get ready for welcoming smiling (anxious?) faces back into the physical office.
We put this together because we see this as a time of tremendous growth for our portfolio companies and for the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem and the more we, at IVP, can do to help these companies, the more time left for innovators to focus on innovation and how we can come out of this uncertain time even stronger.
What follows is a handful of themes to consider:
Timing: None of us know the exact day our cities and countries will reopen but we do know that employees will likely return to work in different phases, all predicated on what the local and national leaders declare and when schools and daycares are back in session. How should one think about phasing employees back to physical offices:
Phases: We expect there to be distinct phases when it is allowed, when it is encouraged, and when we are back to it being expected. For each, it will depend on personal circumstances children at home, functional group, physical location in the office, % of one's team back in the office, pre-existing conditions, etc. Here are a few things to consider:
Interest: who wants to return? Allow volunteers to return first.
Floor plan location: Map out which workspaces are socially-distanced enough to be feasible for occupancy. See the physical space considerations below.
Functional group: Are some groups more reliant on the office? (e.g. creative teams, teams more reliant on paper, teams tied to the physical space like office managers)
Success so far: Take time to understand which teams are faring well in the remote environment and consider allowing them to continue longer-term remote work.
Balance: Is there a way to bring back a similar percentage of employees from each department to encourage cross-team collaboration?
Intervals: Some companies have brainstormed the idea of bringing employees back in intervals, with a certain #/% returning to work in set intervals (e.g. two weeks).
Antibodies: On the positive side, people who have developed antibodies, as confirmed via tests, can be safely considered for the early returners.
Transportation: Each employee has different routines for getting to work, which require different levels of social proximity.
The above relates to employees only. Visitors, vendors, on-site meetings with clients, and partners will all need to be discussed after initial employees have reported in person to physical offices. Set up a framework upfront for how that will be decided and what triggers (municipal changes, executive orders, etc.) will initiate new phases.
Physical space: Social distancing is not conducive to most office and work settings, with workspaces, desks, and cubicles closer together than the suggested 6 feet apart guidance. With this in mind, a few things to consider, none perfect:
Prioritize: Prioritize office space for teams or departments that most need access to the office. This could be teams with unique office needs (supplies, etc.), with compromised WFH situations, or that rely most on in-person communication.
Split teams: Deploy an A and B team strategy, adopting more of a shift strategy with the different groups not overlapping. We have received anecdotal evidence that employees struggle with compliance, so proceed with caution.
Be flexible: Utilize flexible working practices to your advantage. Allow those who seek to return, to return, and those who value the home flexibility to stay home.
Common space: Protocols will need to change regarding common spaces like meeting rooms, kitchen and entry areas, gyms, etc. Half-occupancy for meeting rooms has been suggested as a starting point. If meeting rooms are deemed closed, remove chairs to discourage gathering.
Property management: Converse with one's property manager and other tenants in the building, especially as it relates to common spaces, elevators, lobbies, shared security personnel, etc. HVAC is one often-highlighted concern and whether it is possible to increase airflow or increase air filtering.
Interpersonal: These are anxious and uncertain times for all and will lead to disagreements likely not seen before. What if individuals feel unsafe about social conduct in the office? Are others too close? Are individuals not perceived as following hygienic practices? Not taking social distancing seriously?
Dealing with new concerns: Consider setting up new avenues for anonymous feedback, concerns, other suggestions as people return to work and find they have concerns never before experienced. Set up the process before returning to encourage transparency and feedback. Indicate clearly with whom employees should speak if they have concerns about inappropriate office conduct. Discourage gossip and encourage open reporting to the appropriate individual(s).
Tolerances: Each individual will have different tolerances for being in larger meetings, commuting, eating company-provided food, etc. Set clear expectations for what the company is doing to support a h
Most recent headlines
17/02/2025
TVBEurope talks to the team who brought a piece of broadcasting history back to life on BBC Wales last night
By Jenny Priestley
Published: February 14, 2025 ...
17/02/2025
Eligible studios will receive the relief directly from their local authorities, with no need to submit a claim
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 17, 20...
17/02/2025
As DEI initiatives come under pressure in the USA, supporters of Rise, which promotes diversity in the media and entertainment sector, discuss the continuing im...
17/02/2025
EIB Global loan will partially fund SES's continued O3b mPOWER medium earth orbit (MEO) fleet expansion enabling additional capacity worldwide. O3b mPOWER s...
15/02/2025
At Nielsen, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) play a critical role in nurturing a ...
15/02/2025
Innovation to empower creativity: Explore the latest in Lightroom
Rob Christensen February 15, 2025
0 Comments
Whether you want to remove distracting ...
15/02/2025
Wisycom, a worldwide leader in RF technology and provider of wireless solutions, announces a new distribution agreement with EQUAPHON. An Argentinian profession...
15/02/2025
DPA Microphones, the leading manufacturer of high-quality microphone solutions, is pleased to welcome Nicholas Nick Mariano and Vincent Vince Divine to the ...
15/02/2025
Tuxera, a leading provider of quality-assured file systems and networking solutions, will showcase how Tuxera Fusion SMB enables unprecedented performance for m...
15/02/2025
Bitmovin's latest Video Developer Report indicates an increasing role of AI, the slow adoption of next-generation codecs, and continuing challenges when it ...
15/02/2025
When Michelin Enterprises set out to promote its prestigious Hotel Guide in the new Sleepless in the Kitchen , campaign, veteran German/Slovenian gaffer Robert...
15/02/2025
Formula E, the world's first all-electric racing series, revolutionizing motorsport with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability has sele...
15/02/2025
Agile Content, a global leader in TV and video technology solutions, announces its rebranding to AgileTV.
The transition to AgileTV stems from a commitment to ...
15/02/2025
Hiltron Communications will promote the latest additions to its range of satellite communication products, systems and supporting services at GovSatCom 2025. Th...
15/02/2025
Following the success of the original Airglow Booklight, DoPchoice debuts a new addition to their inflatable line the Float. This lightweight, inflatable, round...
15/02/2025
LAS VEGAS Marshall Electronics has announced that it will debut its newest camera controller, the RCP Plus, at the 2025 NAB Show at Booth N2649 between April 5 ...
15/02/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has named Blake Sebo as the next general manager of KTUU and KYES, Gray's NBC and CBS affiliates in Anchorage, Alaska....
15/02/2025
KOKKEDAL, Denmark DPA Microphones will feature its new CORE+ technology for distortion-free microphone sound at the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, in Las Vegas....
15/02/2025
SWANSEA, U.K. QuickLink will launch StudioPro-NDI and StudioPro-3, two new models of its QuickLine StudioPro video production platform, at the 2025 NAB Show, Ap...
15/02/2025
Live From 2025 NBA All-Star Game Weekend: After 25 Years, Turner Sports All-In F...
15/02/2025
NASCAR Driver Cam on Max Embraces Cloud-Based Workflow for 2025 Season Chris Brown of WBD Sports says Mobii will play key part in delivering signals from the tr...
14/02/2025
Last month, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new m...
14/02/2025
From an island off the coast of Lutruwita to the global stage in France SBS & ...
14/02/2025
The future of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) land systems is evolving so that ...
14/02/2025
Here are 5 reasons why you should attend ISE 2025
Discover more about Calrec: Learn more about Calrec's legacy of innovation in broadcast audio solutions ...
14/02/2025
World Radio Day: On the same wavelength
By Graham Murray, International Sales Manager at Calrec
To mark World Radio Day, Calrec's International Sales Ma...
14/02/2025
DALLAS and TYSONS, Va. Tegna has concluded a broadcast rights agreement that makes Tegna's KFAA in Dallas the exclusive local television partner of the Dall...
14/02/2025
Amazon's Prime Video has released a new app for Apple TV that the streamer said delivers an improved streaming experiences with faster scrolling, improved s...
14/02/2025
CLEVELAND Telos Alliance announced a software update for its Axia Quasar XR and SR line of audio-over-IP (AoIP) mixing consoles and will show the offering at th...
14/02/2025
Puget Systems Returns to HPA Tech Retreat 2025 with New Analysis Tools for Puge...
14/02/2025
Glass Animals: Tour of Earth Uses Blackmagic Live Production Workflow
Brie Clayton February 14, 2025
0 Comments
80six deploys Blackmagic URSA Broadcas...
14/02/2025
A dispute between Paramount and Youtube TV that would have pulled CBS stations and Paramount's cable channels from the streaming service has been temporaril...
14/02/2025
Colourist Deidre (Dee) McClelland details how she helped shape the distinct look and feel of whimsical Oscar-nominated stop-motion film, Memoir of a Snail
By C...
14/02/2025
BitFire said it intends to introduce forward-looking services that simplify the launch of live production workflows, and enhance real-time collaboration
By Jen...
14/02/2025
The claim by the liquidators is the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the companys collapse at the end of 2021
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 14, ...
14/02/2025
A carriage dispute between YouTube TV and Paramount could come to a head today (Feb. 13), with the virtual pay TV provider threatening to pull all of the progra...
14/02/2025
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. LG Electronics USA has opened a new in-house, state-of-the-art virtual production studio at its 360,000-square-foot North American headqu...
14/02/2025
NEW YORK In a bid to help local broadcasters find new ways of monetizing their content, the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and TVB have relea...
14/02/2025
WASHINGTON Three Democratic U.S. Senators have sent a stern letter blasting FCC Chair Brendan Carr for the weaponization of the agency for attacking broadcast...
14/02/2025
Years after launching the streaming service Apple TV+ in November of 2019, Apple has finally released a version of its steaming app for Android devices....
14/02/2025
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. Red Digital Cinema will make its V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems available with Nikon's premier Z Mount, providing filmmaker...
14/02/2025
DAYTONA, Fla. The Fox Sports production of this year's Daytona 500 will see the addition of a few new tech elements and the continued unfolding of the broad...
14/02/2025
Watch Bryson Battles Blind Audition on The Voice Get a Four-Chair Turn Michael Bubl said the Boston Conservatory at Berklee musical theater senior might have...
14/02/2025
2025 Daytona 500: FOX Sports Looks To Ride Super Bowl LIX Momentum Into NASCAR S...
14/02/2025
14 Feb 2025
VEON's Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation Raise USD 2....
14/02/2025
Max Renews THE PITT, Starring Noah Wyle, For A Second Season
Max
Warner Bros. Television Group
The Pitt
New Episodes Of The Medical Drama From John...
14/02/2025
This year, Technicolor proudly celebrates 110 years of shaping the magic of cinema pioneering color, visual effects, and innovation that bring unforgettable l...
14/02/2025
NBA All-Star: More Games, More Teams, More Music, More Sound From the Court Turner Sports' team will deploy familiar tech to capture all the audio By Dan D...
14/02/2025
LIV Golf Continues To Innovate With Drones, Data-Driven Graphics, and All-Access...
In talking with many IVP portfolio executives in the last weeks, most acknowledge that COVID-19 has thrown them into a remote work future that they had envisioned, but had envisioned unfolding over years and not days. The good news is that we hear things like team collaboration is at an all-time high and digital tools have made this less disruptive than we would have thought and employees, across ranks, have stepped up in ways we've never seen before. This is leading many business leaders to think more about permanent changes that may be possible reducing real estate footprint, embracing a distributed culture, allowing flexible hours, etc.
