The COVID-19 pandemic prompted many firms to review their workplace policies, especially those pertaining to remote work. Some companies have moved to a completely remote model while others have an office but hire remote employees to work on specific roles or projects. Employers and remote employees benefit from the flexibility of the arrangement. The former saves on space and real estate costs, attracts talent from all over the globe and reduces geographical limitations while the latter is able to balance personal and professional obligations.
However, moving teams from office to a remote workplace requires more than a reliable internet connection as well as file-sharing apps. It is essential to plan for a smooth transition which includes onboarding, training, and establishing metrics for success. It is also crucial to provide the appropriate equipment and tools to support a remote workforce.
For instance, it’s crucial to establish clear expectations for virtual communication, and avoid flooding employees with messages. Managers should instead set up regular check-ins and communicate guidelines for calls made via virtual channels. They should also offer tools for monitoring the performance of their teams and workflow. For instance, a productivity tracking app such as Trello can help managers keep tabs on their teams’ progress.
It’s also crucial to find the ideal remote work jobs to match your expertise and experience. Software solutions enable remote work in areas such as managing projects and client interactions which were previously dependent on face-to-face interaction. Salespeople also have canva business cards access to online platforms to manage their pipelines and connect with clients from distant locations. Accounting, recruitment, human resource management and operations are a few other professions that have adapted to working remotely.