The pandemic has paved the way for several realizations. Aside from good health, many people have also realized the importance of job flexibility. And while some companies have been firm in office operations, many have started to give in to the idea of a remote work setup.
With technology becoming increasingly sophisticated by the day, working from home is now achievable for many companies across different industries. If you’re looking to set up a remote work arrangement for your business, here are some best practices you can implement:
Define your goals and objectives
Before anything else, it’s best to sit down with your team and discuss why you’re looking to set up a remote work arrangement. Doing so will help everyone be on the same page regarding what needs to get done and how each member can contribute to meeting these goals.
When everyone is aware of the company’s objectives, it’ll be easier to implement the necessary policies and procedures that will make working from home more efficient and productive. Besides, when team members are on board with your idea, they’re more likely to be more engaged and motivated to do their best work.
So, take the time to explain to your team the reasons behind your decision and get them involved. This way, you can ensure everyone is on the same page from the start.
Create a communication plan
An effective communication plan is one of the most critical aspects of setting up a remote work arrangement. Connectivity issues can easily lead to miscommunication and frustration, resulting in poor work quality and delays. To avoid this, you must establish clear communication lines from the start.
First, you must determine what communication tools you’ll use for internal and external communication. Several years ago, many companies began using Yahoo groups for business. But since the company closed its services in 2020, modern alternatives to Yahoo groups have dominated the market.
Many affordable and user-friendly communication tools, such as Slack, Zoom, and Google Hangouts, are available. You can also opt for project management software like Asana or Trello, which have built-in messaging features.
With countless options available, you can take the time to try out different tools and see which one works best for your team. Once you’ve found the perfect tool, create clear guidelines on how and when members should use it. In doing so, everyone will know when and how to reach out when they need help or have something to report.
Set expectations
Often, the success of a remote work arrangement depends on how well team members can manage their time. Since they’ll be working from home, setting expectations early is essential to avoid misunderstandings.
You can streamline this process by creating a work schedule that everyone can follow. This way, team members will know when they should be online and available to work. If they can accomplish some tasks offline, include this in the schedule. A project management tool can come in handy for tracking everyone’s progress and ensuring that jobs get completed on time.
Moreover, it would be best if you also set expectations regarding the hours everyone is expected to work. You can establish clear boundaries to ensure that team members don’t feel like they need to be online 24/7. Otherwise, this will lead to burnout and demotivation, which can impact work quality.
So, ensure everyone knows the company’s working hours, breaks, and vacation days policy. When everyone knows your expectations, they can plan their time accordingly and avoid conflicts.
Invest in technology
Your digital infrastructure is one of the most crucial investments when setting up a remote work arrangement. After all, your team will need access to the right tools and technologies to do their jobs efficiently.
At a minimum, you should provide team members with a laptop or computer, a reliable internet connection, and the necessary software for their role. Investing in a cloud-based system that everyone can access from anywhere would be best. This way, team members can easily collaborate on projects and share files without worrying about compatibility issues.
In addition to the basics, you should consider other technology tools to help improve workflows. For instance, video conferencing software like Zoom can come in handy for team meetings and presentations. If your team often collaborates on projects, document management software like Google Drive or Dropbox Paper can make their lives much more manageable.
The bottom line is that you should provide team members with the resources they need to do their job well. Investing in the right technology can set your remote work arrangement up for success.
Creating a remote work arrangement can be daunting, but it can be a success with the proper preparation. By setting clear expectations, investing in technology, and establishing communication lines, you can create an environment where everyone is productive and happy.
