In 2023, business managers face an increasingly complex world to navigate, with new trends arising all the time. Because of this proliferation of options, choosing which business management trends to follow and which ones to ignore can be tricky and confusing.
The guide below will help you identify which trends you should abandon in 2023, and which ones you need to replace them with. The list covers the four key aspects in modern business management – workspace, collaboration, software, and meetings.
3.0 – The State of Business Management in 2023
Business Management 3.0 is the current stage in the continued evolution of business management. A clear shift from traditional hierarchical structures and top-down decision-making to more fluid and decentralized organizations defines Business Management 3.0. Business Management 3.0 aims to empower employees, improve collaboration, and use technology to create a more efficient and effective workplace.
In Business Management 3.0, managers are no longer the only ones who have responsibility for decision-making. Instead, they work closely with employees to create a more democratic and collaborative work environment. This approach encourages employees to take better ownership of their work, leading to greater job satisfaction and higher performance levels.
You need to make some fundamental choices to embrace Business Management 3.0 fully. These deal with the critical aspects of business management – work location policies, collaboration, and software choices.
The workspace in 2023: Quit office work and adopt hybrid or remote work
The 2020s have been defined by the rise in remote work and a corresponding decline in traditional office-based work. In 2023, the trend towards remote work will likely continue, but a growth in hybrid work arrangements will also accompany it.
A survey by Slack, the collaborative work tool, found that of the 9,000 workers in six countries asked, 72% prefer a hybrid remote-office model, with only 12% stating they would like to work only from the office permanently.
A hybrid work environment combines remote work with office-based work, allowing employees to work from home sometimes while still having access to the resources and support of the office. This approach offers the best of both worlds, providing employees with the flexibility and autonomy they need to do their best work while ensuring that they are fully connected and engaged with their organization.
The business management landscape is changing rapidly, and organizations that are able to adapt to these changes will be well-positioned for success in the years ahead.
To stay ahead of the curve, embracing new ways of working, such as remote and hybrid work arrangements, is vital. Companies offering hybrid models are more attractive to employees and will find it easier to recruit the best talent.
According to a poll by Goodhire, 85% of US workers prefer job listings with remote or hybrid models as an option, while 61% would take a reduction in pay to be allowed to work remotely.
Collaboration in 2023: Quit email and use online tools
Collaboration has come a long way since the early days of email and phone calls and has evolved into a much more efficient process in 2023, thanks to the proliferation of online tools.
The email has been the backbone of business communication for decades and remains an essential tool for businesses of all sizes. It’s easy to send messages and share documents with a single person or a large group. Emails can be sent and received anywhere in the world with an internet connection, making it a convenient tool for remote teams. Emails also create a clear communication trail and are helpful as a record of decisions and agreements.
However, email has its limitations when it comes to efficient collaboration. It can be challenging to keep track of the most recent document version, and there’s always the risk of an important email not being read by the recipient or ending up in their spam filter. It’s also challenging to collaborate in real-time on a project with email.
On the other hand, online tools offer a range of benefits that make them a better choice for collaboration in 2023. These tools are designed specifically for team collaboration, making it easier to share and collaborate on documents in real time. With online tools, it’s possible to track the progress of a project, see who’s working on what, and make changes in real time. This oversight clarity helps teams stay on track and avoid missed deadlines.
Another benefit of online tools is the ability to organize and manage projects from one central location. This benefit makes it easier for teams to access the information they need and keep track of the progress of a project. Additionally, online tools often come with features such as task management, time tracking, and team communication, making it easier for teams to work together efficiently.
Online tools also provide a more secure way to collaborate, as they often include features such as encryption and user authentication. These features help to keep confidential information safe and secure, which is particularly important for businesses working in sensitive industries.
So, if you want to boost your team’s productivity and take your collaboration to the next level, consider switching to online tools in 2023.
Software in 2023: Quit single-feature tools and use consolidated software
As technology evolves and advances, the software has become an essential tool in many industries, including business, education, and healthcare. Software development has also created a market that offers a range of options, from single-feature tools to consolidated software.
But which one is better, single-feature tools or consolidated software? Let’s start by explaining what they are. Single-feature tools are software programs that are designed to perform one specific task. These tools are often simple and easy to use and are generally less expensive than consolidated software. For example, a single-feature tool for data entry would be a simple program that allows users to enter data into a database without any other features. This type of software is best for users who only need to perform a single task.
On the other hand, consolidated software is a suite of software programs that are designed to perform multiple tasks. Consolidated software is more complex and expensive than single-feature tools, but it provides users with a range of features that perform various tasks. For example, a consolidated project management software would include scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation tools.
When choosing between single-feature tools and consolidated software, you must consider your needs and the tasks you need to perform. A single-feature tool is the best option if you only need to complete a single task. However, consolidated software may be better if you need to perform multiple tasks.
One of the critical advantages of consolidated software is that it provides users with a single platform that integrates all of their tools. This integration allows users to work more efficiently and effectively, as they can easily switch between tools. Additionally, consolidated software is often updated regularly, ensuring users have access to the latest features and technologies.
In 2023, it is clear that consolidated software provides a more comprehensive solution for managing tasks and projects. Therefore, selecting the best management software for your projects is key to successfully adopting Business Management 3.0. Having a single point of truth and a central repository of information also positions your business as forward-thinking and modern.
Meetings in 2023: Quit scheduled meetings and consider asynchronous meetings
Scheduled meetings have been the primary form of team collaboration since the invention of commerce. Any meeting where participants are expected to be at a specific place at a particular time, even if that is only virtually, is a scheduled meeting.
But in 2023, these mandatory scheduled meetings present their own problems. With teams distributed across countries and time zones, and many people working remotely, they have become increasingly burdensome in practical terms.
According to Cross River Therapy, time spent in meetings has been rising by 8% to 10% annually since 2000, leading to a situation where the majority of workers (83%) spend up to a third of all meeting hours. 47% of all employees label meetings as the most significant waste of time at work.
It can be a huge time-saver to abandon the scheduled meeting trend and replace it with asynchronous meetings. An asynchronous meeting, or asynchronous communication, is nothing new. There is a lag between when a message (or means of communication) is sent and when the person receiving it interprets and responds. This type of communication isn’t generally conducted in person, but it can still be planned.
Asynchronous meetings have several clearly defined benefits. First, they tie into the Business Management 3.0 concept of flexibility, as participants can manage their time and contribute to the meetings when it suits them best.
Asynchronous meetings also mitigate the problems with time-zone differences. Rather than force people to attend at inconvenient times, they can contribute to the meeting in their own time.
Asynchronous meetings also benefit from meeting notes and minutes being captured accurately and in real-time.
While asynchronous meetings will never replace the traditional scheduled meeting entirely, a blend of the two approaches works best regarding employee flexibility, time management, and productivity.
Conclusion
In 2023, it’s essential to reassess all current business management trends and determine which ones need to be discarded. The changes will still be beneficial even if you have always done things a certain way.