Studies suggest that almost a quarter of the US workforce will work remotely by 2025. As home and field-based roles become more popular, businesses are adapting to offer a more diverse range of jobs. There are multiple benefits for employers and employees, but it’s not always easy to make remote models work. In this informative guide, we’ll outline effective steps to help your business maximize productivity and reap the rewards of a streamlined, efficient system.
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Technology and equipment
Most remote workers rely on technology to carry out work-related activities on the go. Investing in cutting-edge technology and innovative software and tools is crucial for businesses looking to take full advantage of remote opportunities. Depending on the role, workers may require specialist machinery, tools and equipment, but companies can also benefit from systems and software that are not directly linked to day-to-day jobs. If you have a fleet of vehicles collecting waste or delivering orders, for example, your business will benefit from reliable, cost-effective trucks and vans, but it’s also beneficial to explore technology including specialist programs like roll-off dispatch software. This opens up opportunities to manage workloads, track progress in real-time, oversee jobs remotely and monitor performance continuously. Workers can access updates and job information on the move and there’s no risk of losing records thanks to cloud-based systems.
To make the most of technological solutions, it’s important to analyze your needs in line with key business objectives. Audit current stocks and systems and focus on investments or upgrades that will boost efficiency and productivity and enhance customer experience. Keeping up with the latest trends can be expensive, especially for small businesses and start-ups. If you have a limited budget, consider hiring options, buying used machinery and equipment and customizing software and IT support bundles.
Effective recruitment
Effective recruitment is integral to success in any business. You may think that it’s not as important with remote teams, but every individual who represents your brand in any capacity will impact customers. From reception staff, drivers and sales assistants to call handlers and people who work on live chat, it’s essential to make sure that you hire the right candidates. Negative experiences can shape the overall impression of the business. If the customer service is poor, a customer may leave a bad review or choose a competitor in the future even if they love the product.
Every employer should have a comprehensive recruitment strategy in place. Use the process to get to know individuals and try to find people whose values and goals align with yours. Make the most of interviews and be clear about your priorities. There are some roles where experience, qualifications and specialist training are key, but in many cases, personality and character traits can be equally important. Take your time to fill roles and provide training as part of the onboarding process. This will help new employees settle into the job and the working environment as quickly as possible. For remote teams, it’s wise to explore virtual networking and training options.
In an age where business owners find it increasingly difficult to plug skills gaps, it’s critical to make your company stand out for the right reasons. You want to attract top talent, but you may find yourself competing against other employers. Offer competitive salaries, maximize flexibility, champion career progression and use feedback from employees to develop effective, tailored benefits packages.
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Communication and team building
Communication is a vital element of successful team building. Bringing people together to form cohesive teams is one of the most difficult challenges for managers of remote workers and departments. Without physical contact, it can be harder to gather workers together and create a sense of team spirit, but it is possible. Technology plays a big part in encouraging socialization and ensuring effective, open communication.
The first task is to make sure that individuals and teams can communicate freely no matter where they are. Explore systems and devices that facilitate remote communication and make use of dedicated tools designed to maximize efficiency for remote workers. Video calls and conferences and software programs and apps that enable multiple users to join chats and meetings have revolutionized the way we work. Keep up to date with new software and tools and encourage teams to provide feedback. Monitor competitors and see what other companies are doing to connect remote teams.
The second task is to build strong, positive working relationships. Working remotely can be lonely and many employees miss opportunities to have lunch with colleagues or catch up over a mid-morning coffee break. Interacting with others can make work much more enjoyable for many people. If you manage a remote team, try to promote engagement and conversation. Organize work-related meetings and make time for social activities. Get to know your employees and encourage them to get to know their colleagues. Plan a virtual quiz or leave ten minutes at the end of a weekly catch-up to just chat about what people have been up to or what they’re planning to do at the weekend.
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Employee well-being
In 2019, over 70% of remote workers said that being at home had a positive impact on their mental health. Working remotely offers many advantages, for example, more flexibility and freedom and the chance to enjoy a healthier work-life balance, but there are downsides. Some people struggle with a lack of routine and many find it isolating at times. To boost well-being and morale, keep in touch with your teams, bring people together virtually and offer guidance to help workers establish routines and positive working habits. Set core working hours and consider guidelines, such as a deadline for sending and receiving work-related calls and emails, to enable employees to separate work and leisure time. Check in with employees frequently and ask them questions about the role, their workload and their experience of remote working. Highlight and address concerns and identify areas for improvement.
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A growing number of businesses are adopting remote or hybrid working models. There are multiple benefits, but it doesn’t always work. To maximize productivity, boost team morale and well-being and streamline operations, follow these steps. Invest in innovative technology and equipment and encourage open communication. Implement an effective recruitment strategy and look for ways to champion employee well-being and build strong, cohesive teams.
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