When planning for a hybrid workforce, IT managers need to address critical industry trends that affect productivity and innovation. First, a skills shortage among IT professionals can hinder an organization’s ability to adapt to rapid technological changes (A). This is a well-documented challenge, especially as companies move to hybrid models. Second, generative AI has introduced new complexities for IT decision-makers, causing them to reconsider how they allocate their budgets and where to prioritize technology investments (B). These two aspects are crucial for the IT manager to address in a hybrid workforce plan to keep employees productive and ensure the company remains competitive in the evolving digital landscape