Thanks to COVID-19 restrictions, working remotely has quickly become the new norm for many businesses. Whether your workplace is planning on continuing doing so permanently or just implementing the practice part-time, it can be difficult to adjust at first. There are many benefits of working remotely, so long as you do so efficiently. Follow our tips to navigating the world of remote working and you’re sure to be just as productive as you would be in the office – if not more.
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Keep up communication
While you’d ordinarily be able to walk up to someone to have a quick chat, you’ll have to find other ways of communicating effectively when working from home. There are a plethora of messaging apps on the market to help your business run smoothly, including Slack, Teams, Zoom and Skype. Choose a platform that allows you to both video call and instant message to ensure you can reach colleagues with ease. Schedule regular meetings to check in with other team members, ensuring to be proactive with your communication and keep everyone in the loop with company or client news.
Invest in technology
There’s nothing worse than having a technology failure when you’re in the middle of an important video meeting or deadline. Prevent this from happening by investing in high-quality gadgets, making sure you have all of the necessary technology to get on with your working day faultlessly. Workplus working great for tracking workers hours. This should include a laptop with a built-in microphone and webcam for video calls, an ergonomic mouse, comfortable keyboard multifunctional printer and anything else you need for your specific job. A second monitor is highly recommended, as having one has been shown to improve productivity and time it takes to complete tasks. Checkout this blog to read how to free up space on a mac.
Stay organised
While you’d normally have access to the office printer, stationery and filing cabinets, these are things you may not have at home. While you may not see the importance of them at first, they are all key tools to help you keep organized and are well worth investing in. Choose a printer that can scan, print and copy all in one to make the most out of your space, ensuring to keep a supply of compatible toner or ink cartridges from TonerGiant. Essential stationery will depend on your job, but having pens, post-it notes, notebooks and marker pens for a whiteboard is a wise idea.
Know when to log off
With access to your work station 24/7, it can be tempting to stay online longer to finish up your work. While working overtime is okay on the odd occasion, you shouldn’t make a habit of it. Working well beyond your schedule is sure to leave you feeling burnt out, causing both your work and mental health to suffer in the long run. If you’re having issues with your workload, speak to your manager rather than working long into the night. Log off and have a well-deserved rest – your mental health will thank you.
Cloud technology
Allowing you to collaborate with colleagues from afar, Cloud technology is a must for teams working remotely. It gives you the flexibility to work anywhere while accessing documents and internal information the wider team has been working on. Make sure to implement security measures, be careful who has access to the Cloud and never share it with those outside your business, with the exception of clients. Google Drive is a very popular option, but there is a host of other platforms depending on your needs.
Improve your workspace
There’s nothing more demotivating than working in a bland, dreary workspace. In fact, having a poor work environment is said to slow down productivity and engagement. Research shows that employees that are engaged in their work are 50% more likely to outperform those who aren’t, and it’s easy to assume that this number would be more significant for those working from home. Ensure you have a dedicated workspace that is comfortable, organized and vibrant so you remain positive, attentive and productive during working hours.
Appreciate the perks
With no colleagues around you to instantly bounce off of, it can be easy to become less than eager to sit down and put your all into your work. This is when you should stop and remember all of the positives that come with remote working. No commute, a longer lay-in, being able to dress in more comfortable attire, spending more time with loved ones – there are plenty of benefits of working to home. Taking advantage of these perks and appreciating them is sure to keep you motivated. Working in your PJs, anyone?
Working from home definitely has its perks. By implementing the above tips and investing in technology, you’ll have the optimum space to work productively.
