General News
Opinion: Onsite and Remote – taking a best-of-both-worlds approach to your business operations
By Andrew Bourne, Region Manager, Africa, Zoho
Companies around the globe have had to adopt remote working in a short period of time. Some have thrived and won’t go back to the office model, with the likes of Twitter, Quora, and Slack all indicating that they’ll either be fully remote or remote-first for the foreseeable future. Others, however, have struggled with the transition and are hankering to get their teams back into the office.
The ideal solution is probably somewhere in between these two extremes with employees able to work remotely when it is suitable and returning to the office as needed.
Here’s how businesses can take a best-of-both-worlds approach to their operations:
Assess needs
It’s important to first weigh out the real benefits of a fully-staffed workplace. This helps decide what functions need to return onsite and which ones can continue being remote. Bearing in mind that due to comfort zones and habits, staff may feel the function needs to be onsite when in fact it may be more cost-effective or more efficient to do remotely.
For instance, if your teams collaborated really well and were far more creative in the office, office space is worth the investment. Similarly, employees may feel more comfortable approaching management face-to-face than over email or video call.
There is also the issue of mental health. Remote work is not suitable to everyone, and some people may need human interaction to enable them to cope with being stuck at home. It may not be a daily interaction, it may just be a staff social event once a month, each circumstance or function should be assessed on a case-by-case basis to make the best decision for the future of the business.
Utilising technology
Having a blended workforce that adds a significant amount of remote workers to the mix can make striking a balance a little more difficult.
Fortunately, virtual networking technologies can help here. A virtual meeting, for instance, allows both on-site and remote workers to hold brainstorming sessions and meetings without losing any of the benefits of being in physical proximity to each other.
When it comes to collaboration, a cloud-based office suite can enable seamless communications and teamwork, facilitating faster accomplishment of projects. That can be massively beneficial for both remote and on-site workers.
Technology can also help with another oft-cited headache when it comes to balancing remote and on-site work: project management.
A good project management tool will help you manage budgets, timelines, resources, communication and quality with a calendar, Gantt chart, time tracking, and group chat type functionality. If you can find one with automation capabilities, you’ll also save time on routine tasks. Meanwhile, a visual workflow builder with a simple drag-and-drop interface is useful for making automation easier.
Remote or not, these types of technologies can streamline your day-to-day operations with meaningful enhancements like task list templates and routine task automations. It won’t just make things easier if you’re ever forced into a scenario where you have to take your operations remote for a period, it’ll also help improve overall productivity.
Making the most of the ‘new normal’
In truth, most businesses have been heading towards, at the very least, a hybrid model where some employees are remote and others work on-site. But this needn’t be problematic.
Both offer distinct advantages, according to the function or individual task being fulfilled. With the right approach and technologies, it’s possible to leverage the benefits of both without falling prey to any of the disadvantages traditionally associated with them.
Enugu State-owned commercial airline, Enugu Air, is set to officially launch its operations today Monday, July 7, 2025. The launch ceremony will take place at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expected to attend alongside other dignitaries, according to a statement from the airline.
Dr Obi Ozor, Commissioner for Transportation, Enugu State, said Enugu Air is a key component of Governor Peter Mbah’s vision for a modern, integrated transportation system, aimed at positioning Enugu as a major aviation hub in Nigeria.
The airline will begin operations with a fleet of three Embraer jets, from the E170 and E190 series, chosen for their performance, passenger comfort, and suitability for regional routes.
The airline’s inaugural routes will form a strategic triangular operation connecting Enugu, Abuja, and Lagos, with plans to expand services to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and other key cities across Nigeria and beyond.
Ozor said, “With a strong foundation built on innovation and sustainability, Enugu Air is poised to transform regional air travel, boost state pride, and raise Enugu’s profile nationally and globally.”
The launch of Enugu Air is expected to have a significant impact on the aviation industry in Nigeria, providing more options for air travel and promoting economic development in the region.
With its modern fleet and strategic routes, Enugu Air is set to revolutionize air travel in Nigeria and establish Enugu as a major player in the country’s aviation sector.
In affirmation of its global standing, Cybervergent, a Pan-African technology company that leverages artificial intelligence to transform how organisations manage risk, governance, privacy, and cybersecurity, has been selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Technology Pioneers for 2025—a global cohort spotlighting companies transforming industries through breakthrough technologies and responsible innovation.
The WEF, an international organisation committed to improving the state of the world through public-private collaboration, brings together global leaders to shape economic, technological, and societal agendas. Cybervergent now joins this global community.
The company is recognized for its innovative approach to building digital trust, reimagining how organisations manage cybersecurity, risk, privacy and governance.
Commenting on the company’s milestone, Adetokunbo Omotosho, CEO of Cybervergent, said, “I am honoured that Cybervergent has been named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. This is more than an accolade — it’s a validation of our commitment to redefining cybersecurity, privacy, and risk management to build true digital trust.
“What makes this recognition even more meaningful is the fact that Cybervergent demonstrates innovation in AI and infrastructure can emerge from any region, challenging conventional perceptions.”
Some past recipients of the Technology Pioneer recognition, including Google, Spotify, and Airbnb have gone on to fundamentally reshape global industries.
As a member of the 2025 Technology Pioneers community, Cybervergent will be contributing to discussions shaping cybersecurity, AI, and cyber resilience across industries and the global digital economy.
Moove, an African mobility fintech startup, is on a quest to secure a $1.2 billion debt financing round to support the rollout of a fleet of autonomous vehicles.
This is in partnership with Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo in the United States, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter.
The startup has since attracted backing, including from Uber Technologies Inc., and entered a strategic partnership with Waymo in December 2024 to provide financing for self-driving cars.
Ladi Delano, co-founder of Moove, noted that the company has a solid financial track record.
“Moove has built strong relationships with some of the world’s leading lenders. We have also fully repaid our first-ever debt facilities, which signals our maturity and marks a key milestone that demonstrates the strength of our platform as we enter the next phase of global autonomous-vehicle infrastructure deployment,” he said.
The round is reportedly oversubscribed, with strong participation from private credit firms and banks.
Waymo has also not made any official statement regarding the funding round. While final details are expected to be concluded in the coming weeks, the deal will mark a significant milestone for the firm as it ramps up its global ambitions.
Founded in 2020 by Nigerian entrepreneurs, Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi, Moove began by providing vehicle financing for ride-hailing drivers in Africa’s largest cities.
NBS May Release Rebased Figures for Nigerian Economy July 11
Enugu Air Commences Operations Today
20 Years of Digital Leadership: Layer3’s Legacy and the Road Ahead
Galaxy Backbone, Rural Electrification Agency Commit to Deepening Digital and Energy Access Across Nigeria
Lagos-Calabar Highway Gets $100M Push from ECOWAS to Drive Regional Growth
E-Financial3 days agoCourt Affirms NIBSS Authority to Manage BVN
Telecom3 days agoMTN, 9mobile Commence Ground-breaking National Infrastructure Partnership
E-Financial3 days agoNigerian Banks End Years of Embargo, Resume Intl Transactions on Naira Cards
E-Business3 days agoNIMC Says NIN Services Back Online
General News3 days agoCybervergent Selected as World Economic Forum’s 2025 Technology Pioneer Company
Telecom3 days agoKarl Toriola Champions Digital Education for Employability @Sigma Club Lecture
E-Financial3 days agoFlutterwave Secures 20 more US Money Transmitter Licences
E-Business3 days agoReport Reveals African Organizations Dangerously Overestimating Cyber defences