Tapping on a Monday afternoon on the topic of the digital HQ versus the physical one. A work-from-anywhere world requires technology that keeps employees connected, regardless of location. Pandemic-induced lockdowns forced many industries to dial up their digital capabilities rapidly. Thanks to technology, we learned that communication and collaboration were possible without being physically present with colleagues. A digital HQ is now the center of the company; it’s the technology underpinning your company in terms of operation, output, and culture. In a digital-first, post-pandemic world, the physical office is no longer the key place that people connect.
Enter the digital HQ. But what exactly is a digital HQ?
With hybrid working here to stay for the foreseeable future, simply offering a physical headquarters is no longer enough. Organizations need what’s essentially a digital hub for their people to not just communicate, but to collaborate, socialize, access company policies, work on projects, and even communicate with clients — a digital headquarters to accompany the physical one. And in some cases, even replacing it. Naturally, that starts with the tech.
There are even some companies that are adding a metaverse layer to their version of an HQ. For instance, Accenture has built a virtual campus in the metaverse called the Nth Floor, where employees can enjoy a more immersive experience for learning and networking. It regards this as a component of its digital HQ.
Will digital HQs ever replace physical HQs?
Highly unlikely, but it will depend on the company’s objectives. A range of companies are cultivating their digital HQs. Some may go all-in on a digital HQ, others may use a mix of both. But for now, the digital HQ is designed to enhance the physical one.
Wherever your digital maturity is within the organisations, we are here to support your transition towards a more flexibile way of collaboration and working.
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