Remote work was already been a trend even before the Pandemic; according to 2017 statistics, there has been a considerable increase in people working remotely within twelve years, particularly in Western countries. Some businesses deemed it perplexing, given that there are more distractions at home, and it is rigorous for managers and employers to monitor tasks and reports among and within a team off-site.
But in a 2021, a study by Mercer found that 70% of the companies they interviewed were more likely to switch to the hybrid model (remote work and onsite) while according to the survey conducted between July and August 2021, 58% of the workers who responded wants a full-time remote work (post-pandemic) and 39% want a hybrid environment.
Nevertheless, with the advent of technology, businesses have been thriving–allowing employees to work from home once or twice a week. Also, this setup helped several companies preserve public health and limit the spread of illness.
Remote work is common mainly among cloud-based businesses–performing a job from an off-site location using digital collaboration and communication tools and setting up an office in a cloud. This program encourages productivity even more than an office set-up; research shows that 91% of people are more productive working remotely.
It also allows a business to access the best workers from different places, reducing geographic barriers while reducing costs in terms of office maintenance, supplies, space, and in-office pay.
As the trend in remote working emerges, businesses need to embrace several transition tips as they launch this new set-up.
1. Clear remote work policies
You must be all on the same page.
Create a set of guidelines that will be used by your company that outlines how the team and each crew will work remotely. A formal policy helps alleviate compliance risk even before it occurs; you may discuss possible concerns on payroll withholding, immigration issues, taxes, boundaries, what to expect from each staff and ideal processes within the organisation.
This section will help answer questions giving more explicit guidance to the team. Simultaneously, it complements the strategy of a business–driving workers to your aspired outcomes.
2. Update hiring policies
There will be specific skills needed and other requirements related to this new set-up. Managers will need to revise any hiring strategies to display remote work expectations and duties. In a way, updates ensure the organisation’s readiness for new challenges and trends.
3. Focus on building trust: Trust and let go
There will be challenges along the way. It is essential to let employees find their solutions to challenges that occur when needed, recommend answers, and move forward.
When working off-site, it is crucial to demonstrate trust as it fastens the bond between you and your employees. Allow them to work and do their best in their tasks, believe in their capabilities.
What they can bring to the organisation–this is essential for a harmonious work relationship.
4. Prepare the right tools: establish a remote work infrastructure
Identify tools that your company will be using, especially for your main tools for communication, project management, work assessment, and security. Take note of the three mainstays of working remotely: communication, organisation, and productivity–these will be your basis for your tools.
There should be a stable and standard platform for the organisation to exchange ideas and stay connected. Look for several tools that offer real-time messaging, video calls, and an organised conversation channel.
Keep files and projects organised through effective and efficient project management tools–used for file sharing, project planning and structure, and file management. Lastly, to monitor productivity, several tools can help you assess your staff based on their number of tasks, logs, and goals.
5. Empower team members and prepare managers
A successful transition depends heavily on well-prepared managers or team leaders; that’s why it is also essential to invest much in them. Emphasising Leadership skills among managers is imperative since they will be driving teams and projects along the way. Thus in-depth training is necessary for this particular field.
6. Emphasise communication within teams
Consistent and open communication across an organisation ensures all employees, from senior management to entry-level staff. Your very goal is to make everyone understand the company’s goals and culture. This mainly builds a common purpose among members allowing everyone to reach the goals of a particular project.
7. Importance of Meetings and Feedback
Keeping an ongoing dialogue helps improve the business services; simultaneously, it develops rapport among the team members. In meetings, may it be group or one-on-one, employees feel more trusted and acknowledged, allowing them to share their ideas on the table; these conversations fuel the very essence of an organisation.
8. Maintain your company culture
For a company to thrive, they need to invest and focus on employee engagement. A solid culture is essential; having consistent values incites success and rapport within and among teams results in better relationships with coworkers and increased productivity. This is possible through creativity and willingness.
9. Embrace Innovation. Equip and educate
Learning and professional development never end; this should be one of the main drivers of the company. Welcoming changes, particularly the technological aspect, enable an active phasing in tasks, inspiring a more inventive culture. This encourages the team to heighten their creativity.
10. Set Goals and stay motivated
Setting goals helps launch new behaviours, helps direct each member’s focus, and helps everyone sustain that momentum in their work life. Research shows that goal-setting results in a more connected organisation, as it keeps everyone on one page.
There will be more challenges along the way, but being prepared in the field makes your business ready-going for the transition. This new setup might be a bit rough and unfamiliar, but your business can transition successfully with the proper planning and preparation.
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