Sarfraz Ali, VP and general manager of EMEA at work and project management platform Smartsheet
Over the last year, companies have been grappling with the need to do more with less, as a response to the rapidly evolving economic landscape. As a result, they are looking for ways to boost productivity without increasing overheads. Our predictions for the year ahead represent a critical shift businesses will need to make in order to remain competitive. Now more than ever, being agile, pragmatic and innovative is key.
As we look ahead to 2025, Smartsheet has uncovered three pivotal workplace trends that will reshape how businesses operate and compete.
- Hyper-efficiency platforms will become the norm for businesses looking to succeed
- Businesses will unlock and begin to monetize the power of the limitless workforce enabled by AI
- The rise of desynchronised workplaces
Tools that drive hyper-efficiency will become the norm for businesses looking to succeed
The UK government recently announced £40bn in tax increases, including employer National Insurance contributions, which could escalate pressure on UK businesses.
This new economic landscape will likely impact budgets, operational outputs, and redistribution of jobs; we can expect to see thoughtful, forward-looking businesses convert economic pressures into a competitive advantage by strategically leveraging optimisation tools. These next-generation platforms will enable organisations to reallocate resources, automatically identify efficiency gaps, and create intelligent workflow models to maximize output with minimal financial investments.
These ‘hyper-efficiency’ platforms will set a new standard for businesses, being a key tool in helping them to remain competitive, survive and thrive over the next 12 months and beyond.
Businesses will unlock and begin to monetize the power of the limitless workforce
As we approach 2025, the workforce will become increasingly ‘limitless’ — not in terms of physical presence, but through the power of technology, automation, and flexible work models. This represents a transformative economic opportunity, allowing businesses to convert global talent into a strategic, on-demand asset. Next year, we’ll continue to see businesses embracing hybrid teams that blend human talent with AI-driven tools, enhancing productivity while offering employees more autonomy.
In the UK, we’re already witnessing a shift towards a more inclusive work environment, where time zones are less relevant, and skillsets are the primary currency. This shift isn’t just about operational flexibility, but about harnessing a global talent marketplace where businesses can dynamically source, deploy, and monetize specialized skills. Whether leveraging automation to handle routine tasks or using data to empower employees to make quicker, more informed decisions, the workplace is reinventing ‘traditional’ working methods. It goes further than flexible working; it’s about tapping into a global talent pool from anywhere and anytime, transforming geographical boundaries into economic opportunities.
Businesses must invest in advanced AI skill development to allow employees to gain new skills through AI coaching and adaptable workflows. By investing in AI-driven tools and training, businesses can ensure their workforce remains innovative and resilient in the face of change.
The rise of desynchronized workplaces
Recent trends indicate a significant return to office spaces, with prime UK office and shopping centre values growing for the first time in two years. We see this impact in key sectors such as the technology industry, where companies are increasing their office space leasing. Despite this shift, a significant portion of the workforce continues to operate remotely or in hybrid models as business leaders navigate decisions about workplace strategies. Regardless of working policies, the need for innovative technology solutions remains.
In 2025, offices will function less as daily workspaces and more as hubs for collaboration, innovation, and social connection, accommodating teams that operate asynchronously across different time zones and schedules.
Today’s businesses must be more agile when responding to factors such as economic shifts, talent availability, or operational demands. That’s why platforms with AI capabilities will become essential in supporting a desynchronised headquarters by enabling efficient project management, real-time communication, and adaptability to various work setups. Investing in tools that allow real-time workforce reconfigurations based on external triggers will be a priority for business leaders in the coming year.
