Page 93 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

ARTICLE SAMENA TRENDS

ARTICLE

Work Will be Hybrid & Individual: One Size Does Not Fit All

Before the pandemic struck, people in big cities would fight their
way through morning traffic to operate from their offices – if
not every day, most days. Moreover, we would hold the majority
of meetings in person with just a few online. Sometimes an
occasional travel for either an inTernal or external meeting would
find its way into our calendars.

Prior to COVID-19, virtual meetings were useful, but rarely critical.
During the pandemic, however, they have become the glue that
holds organisations together. Gone are the old days when video
conferencing felt like science fiction. As time has passed, we have
learned that remote collaboration technology is, in fact, possible
– and sometimes even preferable.
Gone are the old days when video
conferencing felt like science fiction. As
time has passed, we have learned that
remote collaboration technology is, in fact,

possible – and sometimes even preferable.

From evolution to revolution
What often happens with any new technology is that, in the
beginning, there are strong proponents and opponents. As the
technology matures, so does our usage of it. And ultimately if the
technology is useful, it stays with us and develops. There is no
doubt in my mind that collaboration solutions are here to stay, but Reem Asaad
that they will develop and improve as well. VP for Middle East and Africa
Cisco
During the pandemic, I often had the impression that we act as
if this was the first time technology has changed the way we
communicate. That, of course, is far from the truth. Just think
about the influence of telephones, telegraphs, faxes, and emails
and how those innovations changed communication. They
replaced some face to face contact, but mostly they provided
opportunities and enhanced human interaction in ways that
wasn’t previously possible.

93 APRIL-MAY 2021