4 tips to get the most out of remote work

many businesses have embraced remote working overnight, and others have expanded their existing work-from-home policies. In either case, managers and employees have had to adapt to make the most of remote working.

From improving existing work management tools to implementing a more relaxed, collaborative management style to finding a daily work routine that fits the home environment, all are important to ensure a smooth transition to remote work.

Remote work set to continue after coronavirus outbreak

Knowing how to operate well in this new normal is critical, not only during the coronavirus pandemic but also in the aftermath. Forward-thinking companies like Twitter are looking into implementing permanent remote work policies, followed by several journalists and business analysts who believe that flexible hours and remote work are here to stay.

This shift to a more distributed workplace can be attributed to several factors: companies are empowered to recruit top talent from a global pool of candidates, the cost of doing business can decrease without the need to relocate and rent larger office spaces, and finally, studies show that – contrary to popular belief – productivity remains the same and often increases when employees are allowed to work from home, at least part-time.

Managing decentralized teams

The future of work requires a new approach to management and a new generation of digital tools for an increasingly distributed workforce. The lack of a robust remote work policy and the reliance on limited collaboration tools (email, spreadsheets, or, worse, notes on a piece of paper) are no longer sufficient in the post-coronavirus world, in which teams benefit from a more flexible and collaborative work environment, in addition to demonstrating that performance is not linked to working in an office.

For remote work… to work for everyone, leaders need to empower teams to manage projects at their convenience, no matter where they’re logging in from. Achieving this requires trust, transparency, and a focus on collaboration and results, rather than clocking in and out.

A crucial aspect of working with distributed teams is providing them with the right mix of digital tools: asynchronous (email, messaging) for interactions that don’t happen at the same time, synchronous (chat, voice chat, conferencing) for real-time communication, and flexible work management platforms to stay up to date on all projects.

Recognizing the Challenges of Remote Work

Working from home offers many benefits: no commute, longer sleep, no distractions from open-plan office noise. But working from home (or a coffee shop) comes with its share of challenges: inconsistent work schedules, lack of appropriate collaboration tools, feeling isolated from colleagues, dealing with household distractions, and occasional WiFi issues.

If you're not used to working outside the office, it may take some time to establish your routine and become comfortable producing quality work. But anyone can do it.

The first step is to accept that your days won’t always be perfect and realize that you’re not an exception, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Then, find a way to navigate the usual challenges of remote work. Here’s how to do it.

Finding Your Way: 4 Tips for Remote Working

The following tips cover both the technical aspects of working from home and personal health recommendations. They have been tested by our decentralized team here at Digicoop, as well as my experience working independently.

To get the most out of remote working, you should combine as many of these tips as possible. However, some of them may seem more achievable than others, and that’s okay. Start by implementing small changes and add more as you go.

1. Create a routine that works for YOU

What gets you going in the morning? Is it a run, a walk with your dog, 10 minutes of yoga? Or do you take a quick shower and head straight to the coffee machine? Whatever it is, create your wake-up routine as if you were heading to the office. Then, figure out the best times to work without interruptions when you can tackle the bulk of your work or the projects that require the most energy. Keep in mind that the best time isn’t necessarily in the morning. Some people are more productive in the afternoon or even later in the day. [Check out our self-management tips .]

2. Set up a dedicated workspace

Being at home means there’s no hard and fast line between home and office life, so create one. Dress comfortably, but dress for work so you’re in the right frame of mind, even if it’s just a two-minute commute. Choose a well-lit, comfortable space with as few distractions as possible—this could be a proper home office (if you have a spare bedroom), a nook, a seat at the dining room table, or anything that qualifies as a “desk.” Grab your favorite “work” mug, create a work playlist on Spotify, etc.—you get the idea.

3. Manage household expectations

If you don’t live alone, you’ll need to discuss with everyone in your household about your work-from-home routine. Consider dividing up household chores, setting a schedule (based on things like uninterrupted work hours, conference calls, or homeschooling if you have children at home), and limiting noise where possible.

4. Communicate with your team and customers

Once you’ve checked in with your family, check in with your coworkers, managers, clients, and more. Together, you’ll need to find ways to communicate and manage projects together without being in the same physical space. Your company may need to invest in digital tools designed for distributed teams (e.g. Zoom for conference calls, Slack or Mattermost for instant messaging, and Kantree for work management ). When you’re working remotely, all work needs to be digitized and accessible, which means no more paper notes.