What King Winter is teaching us this week about hybrid working

Snow, frost, black ice, fog… King Winter is turning Belgium bright white this week. It creates stunning scenes, but also brings significant challenges: disrupted traffic, limited accessibility and urgent advice to avoid travel as much as possible. As a result, the first week of 2026 has become an unexpected yet very real stress test for the way organisations have structured their work. The winter conditions show that we should not let the option of hybrid working in sectors where it is possible be buried under the snow — literally and figuratively.

From weather conditions to an organisational challenge

Extreme weather affects more than just mobility. Meetings, decision-making and collaboration come under pressure as soon as physical presence is no longer a given. In the first days of 2026, it becomes clear how dependent organisations still are on their digital infrastructure.

Organisations that have implemented hybrid working properly and structurally experience fewer disruptions. Employees continue working from home, teams stay connected and meetings go ahead. Not because they have to, but because they can.

Hybrid working is no longer an emergency solution

Where working from home was once seen as an exception, it now functions as a natural alternative in sectors where it is feasible. Employees are set up for flexible working, and organisations have the technology and processes in place to switch quickly. As a result, the transition from office to home happens almost seamlessly.

It is important to note that hybrid working goes far beyond video calls alone. It requires reliable audiovisual solutions, well-equipped meeting rooms and an equal experience for everyone, whether someone is in the office or joining remotely. Especially in situations where physical presence is temporarily challenging.

Hybrid collaboration as a buffer against disruption

This week’s snow highlights a broader reality: disruptions are increasingly structural rather than incidental. Think of weather conditions, mobility issues or other external factors. Organisations that have properly implemented hybrid working prove to be more resilient. They are less dependent on a single location and can keep collaboration and communication going without compromising the quality of work.

Hybrid working is therefore not only a choice in terms of flexibility or employee satisfaction, but also a strategic tool to safeguard continuity.

Looking ahead: from flexibility to maturity

The snow at the start of 2026 is temporary. The lesson it brings is lasting. Hybrid working is no longer a trend, but a prerequisite for modern organisations that want to continue operating, even when circumstances change.

The question is therefore not whether hybrid working is necessary, but how well it is organised.

Hybrid working requires more than technology alone

At BIS|Econocom, we see hybrid collaboration as a total solution: from strategy and design to implementation and management. Especially when conditions change, a solid hybrid working environment makes the difference between adapting and coming to a standstill.

Get advice on hybrid meeting and collaboration solutions that support continuity. Call 015 287 487 or fill in the form on the right.