RTO-2023-PG-Blog-Sep-11-1 RTO-2023-PG-Blog-Sep-11-1

Return to Office Initiatives Ramp Up After Labor Day - Protis Global

With the global pandemic finally under control, most organizations are gearing up for a return to the office (RTO).

In 2023, the workplace landscape has undergone a significant transformation. After nearly two years of remote and hybrid work, this transition represents both an exciting and challenging phase for businesses. In this blog post, we’ll explore the best approach for hiring brands as they navigate the return to office and why it’s crucial to use this opportunity to strengthen corporate culture.

A Hybrid Work Model

Before we dive into the details, let’s acknowledge that the post-pandemic workplace won’t be a complete return to the pre-pandemic status quo. Many organizations have embraced the benefits of remote work, recognizing that it can enhance productivity, reduce overhead costs, and offer team members greater flexibility. As such, a hybrid work model, which combines both in-office and remote work, is expected to continue.

A Balancing Act

For hiring brands, the return to office in 2023 presents a unique set of challenges. On one hand, there’s a need to ensure a smooth transition for existing team members who may have grown accustomed to remote work. On the other hand, hiring brands must continue to attract top talent in what is still a competitive job market. 

Here are some key strategies for hiring brands to navigate this delicate balancing act: 

  • Flexibility as a Perk:  As the workplace becomes more hybrid, offering flexibility should be a cornerstone of your hiring strategy. Candidates are increasingly valuing the ability to choose between remote and in-office work. Highlight your organization’s commitment to work-life balance and adaptability in your recruitment efforts. 
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  • Technology Integration: Invest in advanced technology to facilitate seamless collaboration between in-office and remote teams. Video conferencing, project management tools, and cloud-based systems will be essential for bridging the gap between physical and virtual workspaces. 
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  • Well-Defined Expectations: Clearly communicate your organization’s expectations for both in-office and remote work. This includes setting guidelines for communication, deadlines, and performance evaluation. Providing a roadmap for success will help team members thrive in the hybrid work environment. 
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  • Reimagine the Workspace: Redesign your physical office space to accommodate the changing needs of your workforce. Consider creating flexible workstations, quiet areas for focused work, and collaborative spaces for team meetings. A thoughtfully designed office can enhance creativity and productivity. 

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The Importance of Corporate Culture

As hiring brands navigate the return to office, it’s crucial to recognize the role of corporate culture in this process. Corporate culture isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the foundation upon which successful organizations are built. Here’s why it should be a top priority during the transition: 

  • Team Engagement: A strong corporate culture fosters a sense of belonging and purpose among team members. When people feel connected to the company’s values and mission, they are more engaged and motivated to contribute their best. 
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  • Retention: A positive workplace culture is a powerful tool for retaining top talent. Team members are more likely to stay with an organization that aligns with their values and provides a supportive and inclusive environment.
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  • Talent Magnet: A well-defined corporate culture can be a magnet for attracting the right talent. When your culture is known for promoting innovation, teamwork, and personal growth, it becomes a compelling factor for prospective team members.

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Building a Strong Corporate Culture During the Return to Office

Now, let’s explore how hiring brands can actively build and reinforce a strong corporate culture as they transition back to the office: 

  • Leadership Alignment: Ensure that your leadership team is aligned with the organization’s culture and values. Leaders should embody these principles in their actions and decisions, setting an example for the entire workforce.
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  • Communication and Inclusivity: Promote open and transparent communication. Also, encourage team members to share their thoughts and concerns, especially during times of change. Make inclusivity a priority by actively seeking diverse perspectives.
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  • Training and Development: Invest in training programs that help team members understand and embrace the company’s culture. This includes onboarding processes, ongoing workshops, and leadership development initiatives.
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  • Recognition and Rewards: Implement recognition and rewards programs that reinforce desired behaviors and achievements aligned with your culture. Recognizing team members’ contributions can boost morale and loyalty.
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  • Wellness and Life Balance: Support the team in achieving a healthy life balance. Encourage breaks, offer wellness programs, and provide resources for mental health support. A culture that cares for its team members’ well-being is more likely to thrive.
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  • Team Member Involvement: Empower team members to actively participate in shaping the company’s culture. Allow them to contribute ideas and initiatives that reflect the values and vision of the organization.

Conclusion

In 2023, the return to the office represents a pivotal moment for hiring brands to shape their future. By embracing a hybrid work model and prioritizing corporate culture, organizations can not only attract and retain top talent but also foster a positive and productive work environment.

Remember that building a strong corporate culture is an ongoing journey that requires dedication and adaptability. As you navigate this transition, keep your team members at the center of your strategy, and watch your organization thrive.

Our Impact

In 1995, our founders embarked on a journey that would disrupt the status quo of the executive recruiting industry. We have been transforming companies and lives ever since.

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9,395

First Round Interviews

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3,000+

Total Placements

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47%

Diversity Placements

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$700M

Economic Impact

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Brent Albertson

CEO, Zing Zang LLC

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“ Our experience with Protis Global has been very positive. They have strong multi-industry CPG experience and understand our business model and standards. They know the difference between an “A-player” and a “B-player” in several functions, and the honesty around that standard helps us move faster. Mike and team set up a great process, especially in early canvassing and vetting that helps our leaders engage at the right time and make decisions fast. ”

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Colin Nolan

Executive Vice President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc.

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“Protis Global’s approach to talent acquisition is marked by diligence, transparency, and a genuine dedication to client satisfaction. Their strategic insights and personalized service have made a substantial impact on our organization, ensuring that we always have the best professionals driving our initiatives forward. The team at Protis Global demonstrates a keen ability to identify individuals who not only possess the requisite skills but also align seamlessly with our company culture.”

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Hilal Tabsh

Chief Revenue Officer, Glass House Brands

Cannabis
Cannabis

“Over the last 10+ years my experience with Michael Bitar and the Protis Global team has been exceptional across multiple industries. Michael and his team work to get to the true needs of my hiring plan and partner with us throughout the process. They understand our business, company culture, what success looks like, and then propose candidates that will produce results while also fitting into our team dynamic. Overall it’s a great team and experience and I would recommend to anyone looking to hire top-notch quality candidates reach out to Protis Global and Michael Bitar.”

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Peter Iglesias

Chief Executive Officer, Bespoken Spirits

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

“I highly recommend Protis Global as a top-notch recruiting agency. I have had the pleasure of working with them for the past 15 years, both as a candidate and employer in the Spirits and Wine industry. In my 25 years of experience, I have found Protis Global to be the most efficient and effective recruiting agency I have ever dealt with. Protis Global has consistently come through for me in the clutch, providing exceptional professionalism and execution in job searches and placements. Their dedication to finding the right fit for both candidates and employers sets them apart from other agencies. I have always been impressed by their ability to understand the needs of both parties and successfully connect them in a timely manner.”

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Soley Van Lokeren

SVP, People

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“I have been in the field of human resources for over thirty years, in executive level roles both in-house and in outsourced positions. Michael Bitar is my favorite talent acquisition professional with which I have ever worked. He cares deeply about building a relationship with his clients, learning their business, culture, challenges, and truly understanding the needs of a role requisition. His approach is mirrored by the rest of the Protis team, who are courteous, thorough, and who make you feel like you are their only client. Protis successfully delivered hires for our Chief Commercial Officer role and for three key challenging roles (in both Marketing and Sales). They are simply – the best!”

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Brian Kuz

Chief Sales Officer

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

“Protis is unique in their go-to-market strategy in that they not only find the right candidate for the role, but they find the right opportunity and company for the candidate. Protis Global looks for people who are ready to make a change...I will continue to recommend Protis Global as one of the best placement agencies in the World, as I have worked on every continent and have dealt with the big executive placement firms and the boutique ones. Protis shines above all, and as long as I am hiring, I will continue to go to Protis Global first, if not exclusively.”

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Chris Hall

CEO, poppi

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“Partnering with Protis Global has been a game-changer for poppi. They understood our vision and the unique challenges we faced as a rapidly growing brand. Their expertise in executive search helped us find the right leaders who not only fit our culture but also brought the skills and passion needed to drive accelerated growth. The Protis Global team actively took our feedback and adapted the search so that we could focus on what we do best – creating innovative, healthy beverages that our customers love. They’ve truly become an extension of our team, and we couldn’t imagine achieving our success without the team members they helped us to bring aboard.”

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Chad Palma

President of Sales, Spindrift

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

“Michael Bitar and the Protis team have been such a pleasure to work with over the years. Not only do they do amazing work with recruiting but we have also developed a partnership between our two companies. Michael and his team provide a crucial role in reviewing my hiring needs at the beginning of each year. Once the review is complete, Michael begins searching for quality candidates that fit the role and culture for Spindrift. He and his team do an outstanding job of finding the right candidates for the position in need. I highly recommend Michael and the Protis team for your hiring needs.”

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John Sacksteder

President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“From the start, the relationship with Protis Global was different than other recruiting firms.  The team had a deeper level of commitment and desire to learn about our business than I had experienced with other firms. Our company was experiencing a time of exponential growth and our staffing needs were complex. We needed very experienced people across every possible function in the Operation and Supply Chain Teams and we needed them in a hurry. The Protis Global Team mobilized quickly and established a methodology to identify strong candidates and work them through the interview process in a professional and timely manner. Their grit, determination, understanding our needs and culture, sense of urgency and drive to exceed our expectations set them apart from the pack.”

arla-testimonial

Kathleen Hutchison

Senior National Account Manager at Arla Foods

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

Kayla was awesome and very thorough in her vetting of candidates. She understood our brief as we were looking for candidates and helped to weed through those who were not a good fit for the role. 

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Thomas Frisch

Chief People Officer at IJW Whiskey

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

“The team worked quickly and efficiently to find a unique position.”

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Kim Nguyen

VP of Supply Chain at Lallemand

Beer, Wine & Spirits
Beer, Wine & Spirits

Everyone involved was extremely helpful - Gary, Michael, Ben - thank you!! The team didn't only search for candidates based on the job description, but also the qualities that I look for in candidates. 

poppi-testimonial

Shashank Gaur

VP of Product Technology & Innovation

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

The interview process was smooth and extremely professional. Ben and team represented me as much as they represented the company. 

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Jeremy Schulman

Regional Business Manager - Foodservice

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

Consistent communication, updates, and detailed knowledge of the client. The whole experience was top notch!

coppali-testimonail

Blake T. Bermingham

Supply Chain Manager

Beer, Wine, & Spirits
Beer, Wine, & Spirits

Very simplistic process finding the right role for the right candidate...keep up the great work! 

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Don Stohrer Jr.

CEO, Arla Foods USA

Food & Snacks
Food & Snacks

“We’ve been a Protis Global client for eight years, and during this time have always appreciated the thoroughness of the recruitment process, as the candidates brought to us have been well-vetted, not only from a competency perspective, but more importantly from a [cultural] fit dynamic. Mike and the team have always been highly engaged to ensure they bring us candidates that match our culture. That’s been critical to the success of the candidates that have landed here by way of our relationship with Protis.”

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