According to Global Workplace Analytics, there are approximately 5 million employees who work remotely at least half-time or more in the United States. Creating a remote office environment can be highly beneficial to grow businesses, especially in a post-COVID-19 world. However, working remotely requires more than just internet access and a laptop. It is important for business owners to have a solid plan in place for both themselves and their employees when working remotely.
Tips On Setting Up A Remote Office
There is no one way to set up a remote office but it is important to have certain tools and software available to make working from home more manageable. Setting up a proper at-home office environment can help boost productivity and reduce business disruptions and delays. Here are just a few tips on how to set up a remote office and where you can get help setting up a remote office environment for a business.
Create A Solid, Actionable Plan
It can be challenging to set up a remote office without a strategic plan in place. Before starting to set up a remote office, outline a plan of what you expect to achieve in the space and what you will need to meet this goal. It is important to be practical when creating a plan and to prioritize needs over wants.
Keep The Ideal Work Environment In Mind
Take a few moments to visualize what a remote office should be and what it should look like to meet the needs of the business. This will look a little different for every business owner as not all remote offices require the same type of equipment, software, and hardware. When planning the ideal work environment, consider how many people will be working remotely, what their responsibilities are, and what devices they are going to need to complete their job duties remotely.
Invest In The Proper Tools, Hardware & Software
Having access to the essentials that are required to perform the job remotely is critical to the success of the employees. The workstation should be spacious and include everything that a person needs within reaches, such as files, pens, documents, and other essentials. The workspace should also be equipped with any necessary devices, software, and hardware. Staying productive while working remotely can be difficult so consider offering productivity tools to remote workers. Reliable internet is a must-have to avoid loss of communication.
Retain The Office Culture
A company’s culture is made up of the beliefs, values, and behaviors of each person in the office, including employees and management. Culture also defines how employees see themselves as contributors to the team, as well as how outside parties perceive the business. Investing in company culture is important as employees want to be inspired and want to feel like part of a team. Some proven methods for retaining the office culture remotely include daily check-ins, providing productivity tools, and offering opportunities for team building.
Setup Necessary Workflows & Communication Channels
The next aspect of setting up a remote office involves implementing the necessary workflows and communication channels. These internal mechanisms should be set up in a way that is functional and easy to understand. From the very beginning, business leaders will want to establish concise protocols regarding reporting, conduct, and project supervision. This will help create a seamless workflow with minimal disruptions.
Choose A Virtual Meeting Medium
Teams that are remotely connected can suffer in terms of communication. It is important for teams working remotely to connect with one another on a regular basis. This can be achieved through virtual meetings over the internet. Virtual meetings can help teams maintain an interpersonal connection, especially when video calls are used to allow team members to both see and hear one another in real-time. Virtual meetings require just a few basic pieces of equipment and software and can be organized quickly to allow team members to meet in a matter of minutes.
Ensure Strong IT Security For Remote Work
When businesses make the decision to work remotely, they must also redefine their approach to IT security. Although modern companies have access to many innovative safeguards designed to keep data private, there is no such thing as a flawless system. Businesses of all sizes are susceptible to viruses, malware, and other cyber attacks that could put the business’s finances and reputation at risk. For these reasons, businesses that decide to set up a remote office must review their technological security protocols and procedures.
Speak To An Experienced Managed IT Services Provider
Businesses that choose to set up a remote office face certain challenges, such as internet connectivity problems, communication gaps, mismatches in office culture, and a lack of interpersonal connections. These businesses also face serious security risks that could result in lost data, corrupted files, and massive data breaches. To help minimize these threats, consider working with an experienced managed IT services provider. Reach out to the IT experts at TCB 24×7 Expert Network IT Support to learn more about how they can help keep your business information secure while working remotely. Call us at (703) 783-2781 or contact us online today.