4 Ways Teams Can Make the Most of Remote Working
In the new age of remote working, organizations that treat the transition as an opportunity will be the ones that survive
Remote working is nothing new. The trend was beginning even before the virus hit. Over the last decade, the advent of new, more flexible technologies and tools had already led to more organizations moving their operations online. However, the spread of the virus earlier this year sped up this change, forcing those still working in offices and workspaces to work from home. What was seen as a distant inevitability has suddenly become the reality for the majority of workers.
A successful and productive remote workforce takes much more than the right tools however. Moving online is not a simple case of carrying out business as usual over an internet connection. It will require a recentering of attitudes towards work. An adjustment of focus on the part of the employer. Some organizations may see this as a daunting challenge. But the most successful businesses will approach this change as an opportunity. An opportunity to actually improve productivity and elevate your workplace to the next level.
We have compiled a list of the four big points to consider when adjusting your workplace to this new normal – and make your business stronger in the process.
1. Reassess Your Approach to Productivity
This shift to remote working is a challenge for all, not least of all your employees. New approaches to the technicality behind your day to day work will have to be considered.
Think of productivity in the long term. There will inevitably be some drop in productivity in the short term while you transition, but this should be expected. It won’t be helpful to be strict with employees about this during the transition period. Instead, support and encourage them, and you will see a return to productivity in no time – probably even an increase in productivity if handled correctly.
2. Appreciate Your Existing Strengths
Workers are the backbone of a business. They create the value behind the business, and you should reinforce them and encourage them as much as possible.
Use this opportunity to help and encourage your employees to learn new skills or enhance the ones they already have. See it as an investment, one which will pay off in many ways over a long time. Not only will the employees have more to offer the company, but they will appreciate your help and confidence and feel more invested personally in the work. Once you have transitioned to remote working fully, you will have a workforce more capable and ready for the future than ever.
3. Be Ready for New Working Realities
As the transition to remote working continues, you and your employees will start questioning every aspect of the working day.
In the long term, especially when office working returns, many will question whether there is any reason to return to that style of working. The costs of time commuting and the environmental impact may make many unwilling to return, having seen the benefits of remote working.
One investigation found that 80% of people pre-lockdown were already willing to work remotely and one-third even said they would take a pay cut to do so. This will be a different working world, and you must be prepared to be flexible to the changes that are happening.
4. Rethink Relationships for Remote Working
One of the big criticisms of remote working is the lack of personal connections and relationships that are possible. For many businesses and organizations, these are vital for teamwork and can lead to a dynamism of thought that is hard to foster otherwise.
However, remote work is going to increasingly be the norm, and this must be accounted for. Luckily, the technology exists to make relationships easier to maintain. Employers must be active in providing employees opportunities to socialize and connect. Conferencing apps can be used in this way, but there is a multitude of programs and techniques available to increase interaction and connection, with more coming all the time.
These changes can seem daunting to many, but when viewed as an opportunity, there is no reason why a well-prepared organization can emerge from lockdown even stronger and more productive than before.
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