While many companies grapple with return-to-office decisions, Cisco is innovating by making remote work seamless, rendering physical location irrelevant. Snorre Kjesbu, senior VP and GM of Cisco’s Employee Experience Group and leader of the Distance Zero initiative, aims to make remote work feel in-person.
Cisco’s Global Hybrid Work Study highlights a workforce in crisis, with nearly 80% of employees seeing RTO mandates as a sign of management’s distrust in remote productivity. Rather than forcing a return to desks, Distance Zero leverages technology to close this gap.
Kjesbu emphasizes that Distance Zero transcends video meetings. The project involves AI that intelligently captures essential meeting dynamics, ensuring remote participants feel equally present.
Imagine being one of three remote participants joining eight colleagues in a conference room. Traditional video may focus on the presenter, but Distance Zero’s AI uses multiple cameras for a more tailored view, such as highlighting a decision-maker’s reactions.
Technology should not hinder the experience, Kjesbu insists. The goal is to provide remote participants with the same access as those on-site, matching good audio and shared screens with seamless interaction.
Cisco’s research shows a competitive edge for companies offering flexible hybrid models, as they can attract top talent. While 75% of employees report increased productivity under new arrangements, a lack of consistent remote work tools is apparent. Despite high recognition of collaboration tech’s importance, only half of employees feel adequately equipped.
Hybrid work models, when effectively implemented, benefit all involved. Experts argue that the human element must endure in the digital space to prevent burnout and foster meaningful connections.
Leading companies are investing in digital whiteboards and hybrid-capable meeting rooms. The main breakthrough is AI-powered systems that manage video streams and capture conversational flow. Kjesbu emphasizes technology’s role as a supportive element in meeting dynamics rather than a distraction.
Companies adept at leveraging such technology gain an advantage in talent acquisition and retention. With nearly 80% of top performers considering job changes due to rigid office policies, those mastering hybrid work will stand out not only technologically but also as good business.