Only 6% likely to enter the Metaverse in the next 12 months

A new study has revealed that business leaders are enthusiastic about Metaverse working (the Metaverse is generally regarded as a network of 3-D virtual worlds where people can interact, do business, and forge social connections through their virtual “avatars.”) According to the study, two-thirds of leaders say Metaverse is the next step for hybrid working. Millions of workers, however, are concerned that their companies will be late adopters of the tech, and only 6% think their company will enter the Metaverse in the next 12 months.

The research undertaken by Regus found that 48% of businesses are looking for or building office space in virtual technology.

Leaders believe the Metaverse will significantly change how we work by enabling workers in different locations to interact via 3D avatars. Seventy percent think it will increase demand for flexible working by reducing the need for staff to work from the same office location.

It is also believed that the flexibility offered by the Metaverse will bring with it various other benefits, such as

• More diverse workplaces (62%)
• Improved mental health (57%)
• Reduced presenteeism (54%)
• Better relations between removed and office-based staff (54%)
• New business opportunities (71%)

Despite bosses’ enthusiasm for the Metaverse, many office workers fear that businesses will be hesitant to take the plunge on the new tech:

• 63% think their employer will wait to see how other businesses fare before investing in themselves
• 46% think their company will be an early adopter of the Metaverse
• Only 6% think their business will adopt the tech in the next 12 months
• 33% expect it to take 3 to 4 years.

Employees appear to be enthusiastic about the quick adoption of the tech due to its perceived benefits such as:

• Communication between team members (44%)
• Teamwork (41%)
• Remote working opportunities (40%)
• Creativity (39%)

Concerning implementing the new tech, 56% of business leaders agree that shared office space will be key. In addition, 61% believe it will become essential for communications between different company offices.

In a different study, Regus found that three times as many FTSE 250 companies are planning to use a hybrid office model compared to those who plan to carry on as they were pre-pandemic. This suggests that the desire to work in the Metaverse will only increase.

Mark Dixon, Regus Founder and CEO, said: “Change in the world of work is almost always driven by technology. In the 90s email transformed the way we did business, while during the pandemic we turned to video conferencing to enable more effective working.”

“This data shows that business leaders expect the Metaverse to have a similarly transformative effect on hybrid working. It will enable better collaboration for people working all over the world, reducing the need to commute and allowing greater flexibility in people’s day to day working schedules.”