I totally get it, a couple years ago, the idea of remote working would’ve totally been chaotic. But thanks to technology, Internet, video conferencing, instant messaging, group chats, project management tools plus much more, this business trend is skyrocketing.
It’s about saving time and energy and all that it can take for someone to get into an office every day, plus being a mum to a toddler that isn’t in full-time childcare, there is little risk of me having to start late and finish early when remote working. Granted not being in an office means I miss out on the birthday days, real coffee breaks, beers with colleagues on a Friday and office gossip, but I’ve done this for 5 years now and I am so much more productive in my working day.
By not having me onsite, saves you a desk space and all the costs of that goes with it, but my remote working means being super organised and strict with time management makes my working day much more productive.
I also get it from your point of view, unless you have managed remote employees before, the idea can be tricky. Managing remote employees, their workflows and understanding that productivity isn’t just measured in hours spent in a certain closed place can be tough.
- Objectives should be put in place: having goals lets employees focus and stay productive.
- Metrics: realistic goals that can be measured work well.
- Communication: it’s super important communication is a key part of your relationship.
- Project management tools: all team members must be able to know what other team members are working on, what tasks have been assigned to each member and anything that is required on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
- Feedback: have a structure in place that allows remote works to know what to improve on. This works well for making sure all team members and management are happy.
I understand that the idea of remote working may not work for some people. You probably associate the idea of remote working as someone who probably doesn’t time manage their day well, or how do they manage to do enough work or how can we monitor the work that I do to achieve the best possible level of efficiency for your company, but I can guarantee the businesses I have worked with throughout the last five years, we all have made it a big deal to keep communication the number one part of business.
Of course, by remote working it doesn’t mean you won’t see me in the office. Like with anything, real interaction is super important. When working with clients, attending events, speaking to people, meeting people, Team related activities, recruitment etc, I of course will be there when needed.
Statistics from Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed that, in 2015, 4.2 million people across a range of sectors worked from home, and businesses both small and large are increasingly adopted the remote working strategy into their model. The benefits are palpable for employers and employees alike.
It’s the way forward, don’t knock it until you try it.
Missy, Me & Him 