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In part two of a two-part exclusive roundtable, Carolyn Byer,
head of HR at Microsoft Canada, sat down for a virtual chat
with Sarah Dobson, editor of Canadian HR Reporter, to discuss
the crucial role collaborative tools such as Microsoft Teams are
playing in the new world of work
BOOSTING CULTURE
WITH COLLABORATIVE
TECHNOLOGY
COLLABORATIVE
technology such as
Microsoft Teams is
increasingly appreciated for its ability to
help employees when it comes to areas
such as productivity, teamwork, training,
task management and communications.
But with the COVID-19 pandemic
dramatically transforming the way we
work, these tools can also play a big role
when it comes to combatting isolation
and supporting corporate culture and
overall wellness, says Carolyn Byer, head
of HR at Microsoft Canada.
"To really maintain a positive and
productive workforce, employers like us
really have an obligation to provide all
employees with tools that they need to
do their job and really feel included and
part of the workforce."
Digital tools such as Microsoft Teams
and SharePoint are going to become
more important as we move into
this new model of work where some
employees return to the office and
others remain remote for the foreseeable
future, she says.
They're meant to be that digital
translation of an open office space, says
Byer.
"It really is intended for collaboration
through chat, through file sharing,
through videos. And the reality is — and
we've been doing a lot of research on this
— that employees do feel less connected
at home and they're actually having
what we call digital fatigue from being
online all the time."
One new feature that's been introduced
by Microsoft is "Together mode," which
places all the participants on a video
call together in a virtual space, such as
an auditorium, meeting room or cafe, so
they look like they're in the same place
together.
"When you think about being on calls
and not really knowing who's speaking
or being able to read the room, when
you're in that [Together mode] scenario,
you see that and you can feel it and you
actually feel more connected to your
colleagues," says Byer.
"It's a lot of fun and… it really takes some
of the optics away of feeling separated."
Keeping people better connected not
only helps with brainstorming sessions
but also when leaders are trying to be
more inclusive and make sure everyone
feels that they can contribute to the call,
she says.
"This really does help make it more
human and… those organizations that
did make that investment pre-COVID
H R L E A D E R S R O U N D T A B L E
2 0 2 0 T E C H N O L O G Y R O U N D TA B L E
Carolyn Byer, head of HR at Microsoft Canada
