How virtual offices in the Metaverse could become the future of work
After discussing how the Metaverse will shift our work habits and what job profiles may pop up as part of the Metaverse unfolding in the next few years I would like to take you on a ride of exploring your future work place within the Metaverse. Huge enterprises with huge aspirations (Microsoft, Facebook) but also innovative and well-funded start ups are putting their focus of creating the future workplace. We will take a look at what drives work in the Metaverse, if we are already set up to transition to the Metaverse and discuss the benefits of a digital work space.
Wait a minute, virtual office providers already exist!
They do. Companies such as Teamflow and Gather build software solutions that enable collaboration digitally, but without immersive experiences you would get from a 3D environment. At least until now.
Teamflow and Gather both offer interfaces where you can create an avatar and then move around digital spaces to interact with your colleagues.
Teamflow is a place where remote teams can meet, interact, brainstorm and hang out. You’ve got dedicated meeting rooms, personal office spaces to work & common areas to brainstorm together. Teamflow powers spatial audio, which feels much like the real world by walking in and out of conversations happening around you.
Gather, much like Teamflow, enables teams to work together and the interface reminds you of a 90s RPG game. When interacting in meetings you can use whiteboards to collaborate for example. This can be compared to Microsoft Teams call + using Miro as a digital canvas to work together. The distinct difference here is that both functionalites are combined in a single application which makes the experience more seamless.
Compared to a software such as Microsoft Teams Teamflow and Gather succeed on providing a more transparent and vibrant office environment. Transparent in the way that you are able to walk around much like a real office. Vibrant in the way that software solutions like these promote interaction between employees.
But while 2D environment interfaces now rallye to attract companies to use virtual office spaces the 3D revolution in form of Metaverses area already being build.
Horizon workrooms by Meta comes to mind. The best experience is established by using the Oculus Quest 2 headset, however also non-VR participants can dial into meetings. Workrooms uses spatial audio much like Teamflow and Gather. Horizon Workrooms delves into the sphere where the Metaverse is aspiring to exist. Immersive 3D environments for frictionless communication and interaction between people.
Apart from Horizon workrooms Metaverses such as The Sandbox, Decentraland, Roblox, Wilder World or HighStreet have extensively invested into the future of consumption. VICE just opened up a digital office in the Metaverse Decentraland. That goes to show that Horizon Workrooms may not be the number 1 choice for businesses in the future.
Now, the question arises what really could drive us long-term to choose the virtual office space over a real one.
What drives remote work and subsequently the move into the Metaverse?
With the outbreak of the Corona pandemic in Feb/March 2020 government and countries around the world sent their citizens into lockdown. From one day to the other companies had to transfer most communication channels to remote work. With this development the already existing wish of many employees to at least part-time work remotely manifested itself. For many work from home has enabled them to be more flexible. Therefor the choice of remote work has started to become embedded in the DNA of companies and employees.
Saving capital additionally demonstrates a potential future driver for businesses. Office space is expensive, so are rising energy prices due to inflation. The rental cost per square foot has exploded in recent years, especially in bigger urban cities. Businesses moving into the virtual space would not only benefit their cost structure and margin calculation but ultimately influence the rental property market in cities.
Cross-border collaboration is another interesting area set to be influenced by businesses choosing remote work. It breaks down the barriers of what is possible locally vs. on a global scale. With this also comes more cultural diversity in teams, which we are already seeing. No need to strictly find a co-located team anymore that have to sit together to be productive. It does not matter if you work from the Phillippines overseeing the beach or in Italy absorbing the beautiful landscape of the Tuscany region.
Are we ready for work in the Metaverse yet?
Simply put: I don’t think the majority is quite ready to yet transition to wearing a VR headset attending virtual meetings. There is a high level of uncertainty that comes with it. Disruptive technology needs time for adoption on a global scale. JP Morgan, a financial service provider, said that the Metaverse is a $1 trillion Dollar yearly opportunity for businesses. The current combined market capitalisation of Web3 oriented-businesses in the Metaverse are only valued at $26 billion (source: coinmarketcap). Yes, we are that early.
For the time being digital platforms for remote meetings will dominate the market short to mid-term. Employees will need time to transition and important questions connected to the usage of those platforms will arise. How will people feel about the potential feeling of surveillance by using a digital office space where you can move around? Every application is trackable nowadays, that may concern employees at first.
Consumer market adoption will ultimately drive digital office life
The Metaverse is already being populated by businesses and individuals. It will not be long until businesses also see the convenience of the Metaverse for work. So the transition period to a digital office is happening before your eyes with the adoption of consumers:
- Snoop Dogg owns land inside the Sandbox and everyone wants to be his neighbour. He’s a multi-platinum recording artist and can bring in a crowd. If Metaverses can win over high-scale personalities it presents an automatic business opportunity for every business out there.
- PWC, a “Big 4” consultancy firm, has entered the Sandbox Metaverse and purchased digital land. PWC approximately put $2.43 million USD on the table. That demonstrates the magnitude and importance of possessing land in a popular Metaverse.
- In October 2021 Hyndai partnered with Metaverse Roblox to launch their so-called Mobility Adventure showcasing their products and future mobility solutions.
- Gucci launched their Gucci Garden in partnership with Roblox, a unique and interactive virtual exhibit.
While these developments currently influence the consumer market. A shift in consumer markets, especially if driven by disruptive technology, could also mean a change in work life subsequently. If so, the question arises what employees would need to be comfortable working in the Metaverse.
What does a digital office need to provide a creative and productive space?
Reflect on yourself. You start a new job and its your first day visiting the office. Everyone of us thrives to feel comfort and the office layout, look and feel, what materials are used and more contribute to it.
Same applies for a digital office. Businesses will need a certain level of customisation possibilities to showcase their brand identity in order to create a feeling of belonging.
Much like in an office space you will want to have someone available to talk to get to know the space, colleagues and familiarise yourself with office rules. The classical office manager job therefore will not just magically disappear. Dedicated virtual office managers (or digital experience managers?) will thrive to positively influence your experience on the digital platform.
What about entertainment? An office environment is great to hang out with colleagues and also share a beer or two after work hours. The Metaverse is perfectly equipped to create entertainment experiences including a whole plethora of games set to be available inside the Metaverse. Partnerships of Metaverse developer with game development studios will mean a seamless integration of gaming experiences. Microsoft just bought Activision for roughly $68.7 billion. This will enable huge opportunities for Microsoft and their Metaverse roadmap ahead.
The benefits of having a virtual office space
With a new piece of technology process optimisation will be at the core of every business.
Less meetings in your calendar: According to an article by Protocol covering the digital office platform Gather it took some time for businesses to transition. Pipo Saúde co-founder and CEO Manoela Mitchell mentioned that employees did not prefer to be connected to Gather at first. But once they just left the tab open in their browser and switched on/off mics and cameras when needed people started to collaborate more and spent less time in meetings. Mitchell said “We want one-minute alignments to be one-minute alignments, not 50-minute calendar events.” The flexibility of moving around and being accessible to employees on the floor helped them to connect more online and remove friction.
Access from around the world for strong community building: Having access to office facilities could not only positively accelerate productivity but also create a community accessible at your fingertips for spontaneous brainstorming/ workshops or the occassional hang out/ gaming session. Commuting can be tiresome. Logging into your office from everywhere removes friction.
The digital office could increase the employees involvement in upgrading the office environment. Simulation games with building aspects are super popular. This might animate employees to get involved and help with bringing personal touches to the office environment.
Your question for today:
Can you personally see yourself working in a digital office or will you always prefer the physical office?
This article is part of a new blog series called “Future Work — predicting work life in the Metaverse” by global business transformation agency Valtech. To become a digital influencer in your company and to stay up-to-date please subscribe to our channel.
