For quite some time now, the world has been slowly but surely adjusting to the idea of remote work. Now, with the advent of COVID-19, the alarm has been sounded. No more of this slow, gradual adoption – only action stations, alarm bells, a “sink or swim” mentality.
Basically, your firm needs remote work. With quarantines and curfews already in operation, and with many more workforces existing in a state of uncertainty from day to day, your firm needs to be able to act decisively and with agility. Basically, you need to be flexible enough to handle anything the virus throws your way.
At this troubled time, it is difficult to see beyond the coronavirus, and the havoc it is wreaking on communities across the world. However, these five key considerations are universal, and apply to any business looking to carefully, and yet speedily, pivot towards remote work.
1) Define remote work policies in a concise and logical fashion
“Less haste, more speed,” the old adage goes. Basically, during an emergency, we understand that acting quickly is vital. However, acting quickly should not be the be-all and end-all – the right decisions still need to be taken, and the right actions need to be deployed.
So, take a moment to consider what needs to be done. Get your ground rules down, make sure you have a written copy of these rules that all can refer to, and ensure that everyone has a full and total understanding of what is expected of them.
2) Deploy online platforms
Your digital infrastructure is critical to the success of your remote work strategies. Your workforce is simply not going to be able to deliver if they are hampered by technology. This is why the right online platform is such a valuable investment.
Do your research. Find out which platforms are best for you and your purposes. Make sure the platform has the right kind of support services to keep you firing on all cylinders. If possible, arrange a test drive for your team.
Don’t forget we are here to help you work out what platforms are right for your business.
3) Set up a schedule of regularity
It’s business as usual, even at a time like this. It may not feel like it, but it is. And you know what? Because it has to be – if not, our society falls apart.
So, just because you are now engaging in remote work does not mean that you no longer provide support and communication. Keep communication channels open, and add to them with applications that support remote communication if necessary. These digital offerings allow you to be productive through technology while also keeping up with training, onboarding, and orientation, as and when required.
4) Keep culture front and centre
You have worked hard to build your workplace culture. It would be a shame to let it slide now that working arrangements have changed.
Remember that your culture is not just confined to the four walls of your office building. It is defined by your personnel and by their interactions. Make sure that everyone understands and remembers this.
5) Engage in trust
Finally, remote work requires an element of trust if it is to be successful. If you feel that you cannot trust your team, and start snooping and spying on them, this is very quickly going to turn sour. You may even end up losing valuable employees as a result.
Trust your team wholeheartedly. After all, you hired them for a reason – because they are great at what they do and because their ethos aligns with your own.
If you can’t trust your people, who can you trust?
Stay safe, stay sensible, and protect the livelihoods of you and your team
This is certainly a very trying time for all of us. However, if we approach the crisis with a clear head, and with a positive outlook, we can get through it together.
Get in touch with our team if you would like to learn more about remote working capabilities, the power of a strong MSP, or about how to be productive through technology.
