It’s safe to say the hybrid work trend is gaining some footing, as Salesforce has announced the acquisition of Slack — the popular work messaging platform — with a price tag that dwarfs any other in the company’s history.
To say the business world is making moves when it comes to hybrid work would be a dire understatement. Companies around the world have been establishing new policies, acquiring new companies, and generally prioritizing flexibility in service of their remote workforce and their virtual customers.
Suffice it to say, this deal between Salesforce and Slack firmly cements the importance of hybrid work in the business world today, particularly given the staggering total of the deal.
Salesforce Acquires Slack for $27.7 Billion
Salesforce announced that its acquisition of Slack came out to $27.7 billion. Yes, that’s “billion” with a B.
Fortunately, both companies seem to understand the gravity of the deal, with the Slack CEO describing it as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rethink and reshape how and where we work.”
“Salesforce and Slack are uniquely positioned to lead this historic shift to a digital-first world. I could not be more excited for what’s to come,” said Stewart Butterfield, co-founder and CEO of Slack.
It’s worth noting that this deal is the most expensive one in Salesforce’s history, making a notable statement to the tech world: going hybrid is the new normal.
What Does This Mean for Hybrid Work?
For hybrid work, this is a big deal, literally and figuratively. With the pandemic still affecting how we work, this partnership proves that hybrid work has got to be a big part of any business’s long-term plans.
“If you don’t have a digital way to connect with your employees, customers, and partners, you don’t have much of a chance of surviving,” wrote Salesforce in a statement.
This isn’t only a big deal because of the times we’re living in, though. The price of the deal is obviously astronomically large, but the two companies involved are powerhouses in the hybrid work space, as well.
Salesforce is undeniably the most popular CRM on the market today, offering nothing short of a barrage of digital resources that can improve your business. In fact, Salesforce’s CRM market share is nearly 20%, which is more than its four leading competitors combined.
Similarly, Slack has risen quickly to elite status in the business world, with 10 million daily users in 2021, and 600,000 different organizations around the world utilizing the messaging software. With these two working together, they could completely transform how work is thought of from a hybrid standpoint. Or, at least, make it easier for everyone else.
How to Set Your Business Up for Hybrid Work
Until Salesforce and Slack combine to create a super hybrid work platform, you’re going to want to make sure your business can handle the transition into this new paradigm. Fortunately, the proverbial cup runneth over with business resources that can guide you to a more flexible work operation.
The ultimate goal should be to make working with your business, as an employee or as a customer, as easy as possible from anywhere in the country. Resources like web conferencing platforms, remote access software, and VPNs are designed to keep you connected to your team and your business without a second thought.
A big priority for businesses when it comes to hybrid work is security, as many experts have found that the lack of a physical infrastructure at work can lead to some serious gaps. Tools like password managers and antivirus software are all perfectly suited to helping businesses stay secure while their employees are working from home, or anywhere else.
