“In today’s digital age, the shift towards hybrid work has become more than just a trend” – Bob Aoun, HP Poly

CNME Editor Mark Forker spoke to Bob Aoun, Director of Sales at HP Poly, to learn more about some of the findings from their Work Relationship Index, how AI can reimagine the way we work – and how their portfolio of solutions, services and products are empowering people in the ‘work from anywhere’ world.

HP’s Work Relationship Index is a comprehensive body of work. It has shown that globally we now have a strained workforce with employees reporting heightened expectations. What is your view on this and the fact that many business leaders feel the time has come for us to redefine our relationship with work?

The findings from the Work Relationship Index (WRI) echo a growing sentiment among workers globally. The modern workforce is facing heightened expectations from workers, driven by factors such as technological advancements, changing societal norms and evolving workplace culture.

Workers today often seek more flexibility, purpose and meaning in their work, alongside opportunities for growth.

Leaders recognizing the need to redefine the relationship with work is a positive step forward. One way to achieve this is through satisfying the demand for device flexibility in this modern way of remote working.

As reflected through the WRI, only 25% of knowledge workers are confident that their company will implement the right technology to support hybrid work.

Therefore, at HP Poly, we prioritize collaboration tools and connectivity, ensuring compatibility with various communication platforms.

More crucially, we are constantly aiming to boost productivity and job satisfaction in the new hybrid way of working. Through our Poly device offerings, we integrate top-notch audio and video solutions into our PCs, facilitating seamless communication for both in-office and remote employees.

For the hybrid office, our combined HP and Poly products of video and collaboration devices deliver the world’s most comprehensive set of commercial video conferencing devices for hybrid work.

It also emerged that AI will be a gamechanger in terms of ‘reimagining’ work. Can you better explain to our readers the role you see AI playing in terms of reimagining work, and what that workplace will look like?

We have now rapidly entered a moment when technology is moving at the speed of imagination and creativity has no constraints.

According to the WRI, 55% of workers believe that AI will open new opportunities to enjoy work and make their jobs easier, however, they require the right AI tools and technology to succeed.

At HP Poly, we have demonstrated leadership in AI and machine learning technologies by seamlessly integrating them into audio and video solutions.

This integration has resulted in the introduction of features such as noise reduction, voice enhancement, face detection, meeting analytics, and AI-driven cameras, all aimed at enhancing the clarity and quality of video calls.

In addition to these innovations, on a broader level, HP is also collaborating with NVIDIA, becoming one of the first companies to deliver dedicated workstation solutions powered by the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform.

This venture is poised to establish a new benchmark for the most advanced AI workstation globally, simplifying the process of creating and customizing private AI models.

Was there any other finding that emerged from HP’s Work Relationship Index that shocked, or surprised you?

HP continuously strives to be at the forefront of the new era of work. Hybrid work is here to stay, and employers are tasked with creating powerful employee experiences and enabling collaboration between teams working anywhere in the world.

However, amidst it all, it is crucial that businesses do not place the satisfaction and happiness of workers as second priority.

Key to this is helping workers to establish a healthy relationship with work in today’s hybrid work landscape.

Amongst the illuminating findings from HP’s WRI revolve around the factors that contribute to a healthy relationship.

The first factor is fulfilment – today’s workers seek purpose and empowerment, yet only 29% experience these consistently. To adapt to evolving workforce expectations, businesses must prioritize employment fulfilment through increased voice and agency.

The second factor is leadership – workers value leaders who demonstrate empathy and emotional intelligence, with 70% of workers sharing that it is essential for leaders to display these qualities.

The third factor is people-centricity – only 25% of workers consistently feel valued and respected, and fewer are experiencing the flexibility, autonomy and work-life balance they seek. To address this, leaders should place their teams at the center of decision-making.

Next, is workspace – two-thirds of workers desire a seamless and flexible working environment across multiple locations. One more factor is tools – 70% of workers shared that it is important to have access to technology that allows everybody to be seen and heard regardless of where they are.

Last but not least is skills – only 31% of desk-based workers feel confident in their technical skills, emphasizing the need for training and support.

Can you outline to our readers how businesses that use the right Poly tools can create seamless working experiences from anywhere, anytime?

In today’s digital age, the shift towards hybrid work has become more than just a trend – it is a fundamental change in how businesses operate.

Virtual teams are now the backbone of many companies, going beyond geographical boundaries to harness talent from around the world.

More than just ensuring that the right Poly tools are utilized, businesses need to make sure that these tools are integrated with popular collaboration platforms, making the seamless working experience for workers a reality.

HP Poly has launched the Poly Lens App for Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows, an exciting solution that streamlines device management and boosts end-user experience.

We also introduced two flexible Poly Studio Base Room Kits for Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows, and an array of newly certified devices for Microsoft Teams, strengthening our dedication to improving collaboration, irrespective of your workplace location.

HP hardware components, including webcams, microphones, and speakers, are all designed for compatibility with the requirements of major collaboration tools, providing high-quality audio and video capabilities.

What are the flagship Poly solutions and services that are transforming the way employees work remotely? How are these solutions and services embracing meeting equity now that hybrid / remote working has become a norm?

At HP Poly, we believe the future is hybrid flexibility, which delivers the best of the home and the office to workers everywhere.

Through unified communications solutions, we offer audio and video conferencing tools, headsets, and collaboration software, enabling effective communication for remote and in-office workers, fostering collaboration.

We also offer high-quality audio and video with products, ensuring communication clarity and reducing meeting disruption. For instance, our HP Poly Lens software provides data-driven insights on workspace and meeting room usage.

HP Poly products contribute to flexible connectivity, supporting wireless, Bluetooth, and USB connections. This enables easy device switching, so that workers can adapt to various work environments.

Furthermore, HP Poly offers communication tools that integrate with popular platforms like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Workspace, ensuring seamless collaboration regardless of employees’ locations.

Not only that, but we also provide remote device management, ensuring smooth operation and minimal downtime for hybrid workers.

Ultimately, HP Poly’s goal is to ensure that everyone, whether physically present or dialling in remotely, feels seen and heard during meetings.

Our software layer, integrated with the hardware, facilitates effective communication, ensuring that our portfolio of solutions delivers equal experiences no matter where employees work from – that everyone is both seen and heard clearly during meetings.