Smart working is not simply flexible working, Web 2.0, flat organisation structures or implementing productivity enhancements. The defining feature of Smart Working is a mind-set and a set of associated values which is increasingly being adopted by organisations ranging from major investment banks through to government departments. Deliverables from Smart Working include:

• Higher degree of freedom to act.
• Virtuality in teams/ work groups.
• Outcome based performance.
• Flexibility towards work location / hours.
• Work environments using enabling technologies and configurations.
• High trust working relationships.
• Smart working practices looking for triple win.

Capgemini has recently completed a two year research project into smart working, on behalf of the CIPD. To read our two research reports and access our case studies, click here.

This section includes:

• Benefits of Smart Working
• Capgemini’s approach
• Capgemini capability

The Benefits of Smart Working

The benefits of adopting a Smart Working approach include:

• Employee cost benefits.
• Increased employee engagement.
• Talent attraction and retention.
• Reduced recruitment costs while allowing for more targeted recruitment.
• Staff cost optimisation.
• Business cost benefits.
• Reduced property spend.
• Reduced IT spend while harnessing new technologies.
• Travel cost saving.
• IT utilisation.
• Workspace utilisation.
• Productivity benefits.
• Enhanced productivity (volume and quality).
• Sickness absence reduction.
• Greater collaboration.
• Creativity and innovation.

Capgemini’s Approach

Capgemini believes that there are four pillars of Smart Working which organisations must consider when optimising the work environment. Smart working cannot be realised by focusing efforts on one pillar – it is the combined effect of interventions in each focus area which create smart working.

• Management values - Smart Working organisations have a ‘high-trust’ management culture as well as a philosophy of collaboration between employer and employee. The culture has to allow a high degree of individual freedom to act based on outcome-based management. Typical components: Culture and ways of working, Management / Leadership development , Emotional Intelligence audit and capability building, Employment proposition, Outcome based Performance management, Smart reward.
• High performance work practices drive a high degree of employee involvement and consultation married with reward, benefits and performance management practices that encourage high-performing teams. These include effective talent development programmes, total reward strategies and HR effectiveness, performance management and recognition strategies. Typical components: Smart Organisation Design and role design, Smart learning solutions, Smart comms framework, Innovation and creativity work practices, High performance virtual working, Strategy flow/governance processes.
• Physical environment innovations which optimise the opportunity for people to work effectively, such as ergonomic workspaces, hotdesking and the ability to work flexibly. Typical components: Information and communications solutions, Virtualisation technology, Implementation of collaboration tools, Work distribution and performance management solutions, Knowledge management.
• Leveraging of technology to drive much greater collaboration in the distribution, management and delivery of work, utilising tools such as mobile technologies, remote access and social networking tools. Typical components: Work environment ergonomics, Flexible working solutions, Property portfolio optimisation, Green workplace design, Collaboration zones.

Capgemini capability

Capgemini has been working for two years with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in the UK to research smart working. We are now able to bring our smart working diagnostic and solution approach to our clients.

We can help you assess where your organisation is in terms of its readiness for Smart Working; help you diagnose how smart you currently are and build a future state vision, as well as helping you design and implement smart working interventions.