As the end of the year draws closer, many businesses will turn to 2022’s data to glean valuable insights into their operations. Here, we reflect on five important stats that businesses can’t ignore if they want to hit the ground running in 2023.

It’s that time of year when managers and business leaders come together, reflect upon the company’s progress, and plan for the next 12 months ahead. As Q4 draws to a close, businesses use this time to reflect, reassess, and take stock of what they’ve learned in 2022 to see how it can influence their decision-making in 2023. In politically and economically turbulent times, good data can be a beacon of clarity and guidance that helps your business chart a course for success.

With that in mind, we have assembled five key statistics from the business landscape this year, calling on IWG research and reports from other industry-leading companies. Here, we’ll look at what these stats mean for your business operations in 2023 and beyond.

88% of employees want to embrace hybrid working

In order to run a top-tier business, you need top-tier talent, yet data from the Open University states that 68% of SMEs and 86% of large companies are currently experiencing a skills shortage. In such a competitive market, businesses need to be able to offer what skilled candidates want.

And an overwhelming majority want to work for a company that offers hybrid working.

IWG’s research reveals an astonishing 88% of employees surveyed cited hybrid working as a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent in today’s job market. Indeed, almost 50% of respondents stated that they would only consider roles that allowed them to work in a hybrid way.

It’s easy to see why. Hybrid eliminates the need for a daily commute as employees no longer need to visit company HQ every day. Instead, a combination of local flexspaces and remote working offer employees the freedom and flexibility to plan their work around their lives, not the other way around.

Over 50% of digital nomads are in need of reliable Wi-Fi

Another popular trend in 2022 has been the continued implementation of ‘work from anywhere’ policies, with many ubiquitous names including AirBnB, Lyft,  Spotify and the Ocado Group offering employees the opportunity to work from anywhere they like.

This is tremendously liberating for employees, enabling them to be ‘digital nomads’ that can combine getting the job done with achieving their travelling aspirations, and giving them a greater choice of areas in which to settle.

However, finding a Wi-Fi connection reliable enough to support their workload can be a pain point for those working from anywhere. IWG’s research indicates that 52% of digital nomads say that finding reliable Wi-Fi is their biggest challenge.

Flexspaces have risen to the challenge ensuring that no matter where digital nomads go, they’re never far from a reliable Wi-Fi connection and a space that is conducive to concentration and productivity. With 3,500 locations in over 120 countries, Regus is dedicated to keeping ‘work from anywhere’ flexible, accessible and satisfying.

80% of our workforce is in danger of burning out

Overwhelmingly, workers are looking for job opportunities that afford them work-life balance. Something that employees sorely need, both nationwide and globally. We are a workforce on the cusp of burnout. In some cases, new technologies have exacerbated this rather than quelling it.

According to research by Asana, 80% of global knowledge workers feel overworked or close to burnout. The rise in remote work, and the ubiquity of handheld devices for work and personal communication have led to an always-on working culture.

Employing a hybrid system can be an invaluable aid to businesses in the battle against burnout. It establishes clear boundaries between employees’ working and personal lives while also allowing the flexibility needed for a stronger work-life balance.

Automation can free managers up to focus on what matters, reducing workloads by 69%

Employers know that good managers are essential in keeping the workforce engaged, motivated, and happy. And in an increasingly digitised age, managers may worry that they will be automated out of a job. The truth, however, is that automation can actually help to make managers happier, more effective, and more fulfilled at work.

Predictions by Gartner suggest that up to 69% of managerial workload could be automated by 2024. Far from rendering managers obsolete, this frees up more time for managers to focus on the soft skills that are conducive to strengthening the relationship between employees and employers, and helping the workforce feel more satisfied, unified, and motivated.

Over 75% say cutting commuting is the key to sustainability

One aspect of the conventional workplace that few miss in the hybrid era is the daily commute. Spending an hour or more in nose-to-tail traffic on packed urban thoroughfares isn’t just demoralising, it’s also at odds with the sustainability aspirations of employees and companies alike.

Research by IWG reveals that 76% say cutting down commuting is an important step in fighting the climate crisis. While all companies are eager to bring down their carbon footprints in line with their ESG goals, workers also recognised their shared responsibility and the ecological impact of their commute.

Priyadarshi Shukla of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) offers a ray of hope, stating that changes to work routines could result in a 40% to 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Again, this is one area where flexspaces come into their own. The variety and magnitude of locations has given rise to the concept of a ‘15 minute city’– one where everything employees need to live and work can be found within a 15 minute radius of the home, often available on foot or by bicycle. Flexspaces are the key to making this viable for today’s workforce. With a network of 3,500 locations and a strong focus on expansion into rural and suburban areas, Regus is dedicated to facilitating a shorter, greener commute.

Regus facilities are designed to help your workforce get the most out of hybrid working. With business-grade tech, super-fast Wi-Fi, and flexible contracts businesses can create a customised workspace and position themselves for success in 2023 and beyond.