Microsoft bets on remote work and continuous learning
Microsoft Viva is a revolutionary solution for remote work within Teams, where employees can keep track of most threads and managers have a good overview of projects, workload, and even the well-being of their employees.
Microsoft is demonstrating that they are betting on a major increase in remote work in the future. The habits that have formed out of necessity during COVID-19 are, in many cases, beneficial for companies, employees, and society. The flexibility can be advantageous for employees, and companies benefit from being able to utilize valuable talent living far from their headquarters. Less traffic from people commuting between home and work could also have a significantly positive impact on climate change.
Disorganized remote work can cause stress
A large portion of Icelanders worked remotely for extended periods last year. People found this to be of varying difficulty. After all, the home is also our sanctuary where we care for our children, pursue our hobbies, and do household chores. Thus, remote work can foreseeably cause stress and friction within the home. Furthermore, not everyone is equally well-equipped when it comes to space and a good work setup. There is much to consider, and it is precisely these things that Microsoft Viva is intended to assist both managers and employees with. To make a complicated life simpler and tackle challenging situations.
Viva designed to find balance
In a press release from Microsoft this week, it can be read that Viva is essentially designed as a gateway for both employees and companies to get a handle on the new reality and find a balance between work and private life. In fact, the name refers to employees thriving in this new reality. Thus, Microsoft Viva not only keeps track of tasks but also how much peace and quiet people have to work, the continuing education and training they attend and have access to, and their well-being. It is worth noting that Microsoft Viva is still in development, and parts of it will be released later this year. However, it is clear that this is a revolutionary way of thinking about how we live and work once the pandemic subsides.
The world's largest remote work experiment
“We have participated in the world's largest remote work experiment,” said Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. The pandemic, which has now lasted for a full year, has initiated changes that cannot be reversed. “Viva brings together all the elements an employee needs to succeed in one place in Teams,” he adds. Viva is built on four interconnected pillars: Viva Connections, Viva Insights, Viva Learning, and Viva Topics.
The four pillars of Viva
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Viva Connections; is essentially your workplace in digital form within Teams. There, employees can communicate, access necessary data, and work in teams. This is essentially a reimagined company intranet. Viva Connections will be ready in the first half of the year for both computers and in the form of an app.
Viva Insights; is a fun and useful addition intended to provide both managers and employees with personal insights into their progress. But also to promote a good balance during the workday. It is, after all, important to break up the day, take regular breaks, and have a good, quiet environment for work and learning. Other team collaboration and feedback applications, such as Slack, Workday, and SAP SuccessFactors, can also be connected to this pillar. The Viva Insights app in Teams can be downloaded for trial now.
Viva Learning; is likely the most important and exciting pillar within Viva. The goal is for employees and managers to be able to access suitable training and continuing education in this area. There will be a large collection of educational providers offering courses and practical educational tidbits that benefit employees. For example, there will be courses from Coursera and edX to start with, but each company or institution can then adapt its educational offerings to its own needs. It is safe to say that this pillar contains a rather revolutionary way of thinking about the workplace as a school.
Viva Topics; is a knowledge-based addition that uses artificial intelligence and is Microsoft's most intriguing move in Viva. The AI is meant to serve each individual employee; in fact, one could view this pillar as a sort of benevolent colleague who gathers material and finds interesting topics, seeks out knowledge and facts, or points out good and useful articles.
