Predict your exposure to financial risk Managing risk takes more than a backward look at past performance: it needs a glimpse into the future too. We call it #HindsightInAdvance Want to know more? Scan me Advancing the credit profession / www.cicm.com / <strong>September</strong> <strong>2021</strong> / PAGE 44 www.companywatch.net
CAREERS ADVICE WORKING WAYS How can we continue to thrive in a hybrid working world? AT the start of the pandemic, we may have assumed that adopting remote working was nothing more than temporary, and that we would soon return to ‘normal’; for most of us, that meant working in the office every day of the working week. But for many, this has changed, and more and more employers are looking at a hybrid working future. In simple terms, a hybrid working model involves a combination of remote, semi-remote and entirely office-based employees, potentially working to different scheduled hours. What’s important to note is that the amount of flexibility within a hybrid working model is going to differ hugely between organisations. In our latest Quarterly Insights Survey conducted in late May, 41 percent of accountancy and finance employers said they would be offering hybrid working to staff, 18 percent said they weren’t, whilst 41 percent said they were either unsure or the decision was under review. So, how can you make sure your career thrives if you will be working in a hybrid way? If you’re working in a hybrid way already or are planning to, it’s really important to work with your manager to create a schedule that ensures you are working effectively, no matter where you’re based. You might agree regular hours where you are expected to be online and available for meetings, and ensure you have access to everyone’s calendars, so you know when members of your team are available to talk. It’s also crucial to think about what tasks you do would be better suited to doing in the workplace, and which remotely – this will help structure your week. COMMUNICATION IS KEY To make sure your work is recognised, and you can make the most of what hybrid working offers – communication is key. Opportunities to connect with people become less informal and need to be more structured. It can be a struggle at first to get the right balance of communication when you are working part in the office and part remote – and sometimes it might feel like you are overcommunicating. Take your time to consider what method of communication works best for you and stay consistent. Don’t bombard colleagues with different methods of communication such as email, Microsoft Teams and instant chat. Video calls can easily take over, so be mindful of scheduling multiple meetings one after the other and establish clear objectives and outcomes for every meeting. Don’t be afraid to make it clear when you aren’t available for calls or meetings outside of work hours – just because you are working flexibly it AUTHOR – Karen Young Do you find the buzz and liveliness of the workplace inspires you and makes you more productive, or do you often feel overwhelmed? Moreover, do you find working from home can bring on feelings of isolation or do you appreciate the solitude? Advancing the credit profession / www.cicm.com / <strong>September</strong> <strong>2021</strong> / PAGE 45 doesn’t mean you are always online, nor should you be! PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Working in a hybrid way shouldn’t mean that your personal development should be put on pause or that your hard work should go unnoticed. The fact is that working effectively in a hybrid model may require you to develop new skills or refocus existing ones, so you should be prepared to have an honest discussion with your manager about what these might be. There are some steps you can take to make sure your development is still front of mind: • Set aside time to reflect on your current skillset and potential areas where you need to develop • Ask your employer or manager to address the development needs you have identified – through formal learning, on-the-job training or coaching and mentoring • Ensure your performance objectives are realistic, achievable and have meaningful performance indicators that are in-line with your working arrangement • Don’t let regular reviews slip if you are working in a different location to your manager – ask your manager for regular catch ups and feedback on your performance. UNDERSTANDING BEST PRACTICE Critical to making hybrid working a success for you, is the ability to be honest with yourself about the ways in which you believe you work best. • Think about how you produce your best ideas – is it through discussion with others? Or is your best work done when you are quietly reflecting? This may help you ascertain where you should be spending most of your time. • Reflect on how you design your time. Do you prefer working in short bursts or long stretches? This may help you assess how to structure your working hours, particularly if you are working from home. • Consider how your mood is affected by where you are working. Do you find the buzz and liveliness of the workplace inspires you and makes you more productive, or do you often feel overwhelmed? Moreover, do you find working from home can bring on feelings of isolation or do you appreciate the solitude? The next three-to six-months will be a huge test for how hybrid working will work en masse – so don’t be afraid if you find you come across bumps in the road. Be honest with your manager and don’t forget to ask colleagues for advice. Karen Young is Director at Hays Credit Management.
Change language