The Remote Work Playbook
The pandemic opened up an extraordinary moment for remote work. A large population got forced to work from home, proving remote infrastructure viable on a huge scale.
Its popularity grew massively because of its benefits for employers and employees. However, one question on everyone's mind is, 'how to run a remote operation with great efficiency?' Companies and individuals worry about process workflows, cultural values, and standard operating procedures to implement new remote companies.
A remote company differs from an office-bound and requires certain best practices for its success.
What is a Remote Work Playbook?
Remote Work playbook refers to a guide to everything needed to start working remotely or run a successful one. It covers details of how to stay engaged, essential remote work tools, examples of remote teams doing it right, and more.
Remote work life has gone beyond an idea to the present reality of our world today. As a result, some organizations have begun to adopt it as a new way of working.
Working in remote places has its perks and advantages. These include
● Higher productivity
● Cost savings.
● Flexibility.
● Timeliness
● Improvement of workplace technology.
Best Remote Work Practices
The challenges faced by Individuals who work remotely require the implementation of some practices to attain high efficiency. People already applying these practices have successfully overcome the challenges of working remotely.
Therefore, making it a part of one's daily routine leads to high proficiency of the remote employee. Here are the best practices necessary for improving remote working skills.
Make Communication a Top Priority
Working from home should not make anyone go solo. On the contrary, it's expedient to always keep in touch with colleagues. Understandably, communicating with remote co-workers differs from that in a traditional office environment. But, remote workers can make their virtual communication highly effective.
Additionally, a remote team must ensure that members do not play by their own rules. The success of a remote team depends largely on the degree of productive communication. Encouraging team members to use leading communication tools helps to avoid getting stuck on a task.
Use The Right Technology Tools
Remote work is all about technology. Its tools increase productivity. Also, managing remote employees becomes easier with advances in technology. Remote work tools come in different categories, from communication to software, collaboration to messaging, etc.
Communication and collaboration tools help team members to stay connected and productive. Having the right video-conferencing software makes virtual connection possible and seamless.
As a way of having a good project management practice, tools like Podio and Smartsheet come in handy. They help keep track of workflow and resolve timing issues.
Records and insuring against data loss require using the right document storage software. Cloud computing gives access to remote virtual networks and increases safety.
Mobile tools are part of a workflow strategy. They make it easy to use mobile devices by deploying mobile-based apps. Mobile tools also create better efficiency and offer more flexibility.
Create a Balance between Work and Life
Remote working tends to blur the lines between work and life. The work and home environments merge into one, and drawing a line becomes difficult. There's a never-ending routine of checking emails, eating breakfast while working, and working around the clock.
Working from home makes unplugging challenging and increases the chance of isolation which could lead to depression.
Some way to overcome this challenge is to create boundaries to separate work from home life. For example, engage in social activity, exercise, add seeing a movie to your lifestyle, and hang out with friends and colleagues.
Make Documentation and Clear Communication a Priority
Remote work requires a planned and purposeful communication strategy. How communication works for remote workers is a different ball game office work.
Remote working involves attending virtual meetings, seminars, or training. Whereas too many meetings often lead to frustration among employees. There's also the issue of dealing with multiple time zones. The issue is that it affects work and home life- even one's sleep pattern.
Working from home requires proper documentation of all communications and activities and saves a lot of headaches. So it's important to know that there's more documentation in remote working.
Challenges of Remote Working
Home-based workers face certain challenges in trying to get their jobs or projects. It saves a lot of headaches when a person knows the challenges before making remote working a permanent endeavor. Here's a list of the challenges.
Unstable Internet Access
The stability of a remote worker's internet is not a constant guarantee. Moreover, people living in crowded areas and densely packed cities regularly experience slow speeds and poor audio and video connections.
Little or no Engagement, Loneliness
Working in a remote environment is a source of loneliness and isolation, especially for people living alone. The worker tends to get wrapped up in work and has little time for social engagement with a friend.
Depression
Isolation and loneliness result in depression. Being remote might mean the worker does not have work friends to drink with after work. Many fail to realize that socializing on the internet is also a great way to bond.
Distraction at Home
Distractions at home include household chores, noisy children, barking dogs, noise from traffic, and visitors.
Cybersecurity Concerns
The steady increase in cybercrime is a course of concern. Arrangements. A security loophole could increase risks and threats to a network.
Increased meetings
Success Keys for Remote Workers
Pay attention to habits and structure your day in productive ways to include a rich after-work life.
Be in control of your schedule
Have a work start and work and time daily
Set time aside for exercise, lunch with others, and more.
Schedule a vacation. Remember, you can still work while on a trip
Locate a coffee shop, library, or co-working space to work from occasionally.
Engage in your hobbies. Don't just get caught up in work life.
Remote Work Toolkits
The success of a remote job is highly dependent on technology tools. These tools include
Computer or laptop
Mobile phones
Mobile hotspot
Video Conferencing Software
Video cameras and headsets
Cloud storage - OneDrive, Google Drive
Time management software
Online Office Suite
Security Apps include Virtual Private Networks (VPN), password managers, online backup tools, and antivirus software.
Team Chat Apps
Project and team management apps
Screen-Sharing Software - Skype, ex: TeamViewer