Companies have pivoted in their business models, communications, and WFH culture since COVID-19. Employees at tech giants like Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, and Slack will be working from home through the fall, while Google employees will continue working from home until at least 2021. Twitter’s even offering some of its employees the option to work from home permanently, which makes us wonder…is remote the future of work? If so, companies need to make sure their employees are well-equipped for their home office lifestyle.
Finding communication methods that work for the team
Every company is going to communicate differently in and out of the office. Luckily, there are tons of technology tools that teams can use when working from home. To name a few, Slack, Discord, and Google Hangouts can be useful for sending quick chat messages to the team. Teams can organize conversations by channels, topics, and threads to help departments communicate effectively.
For scheduling calls with clients, Zoom, Google Meet, and WebEx are common options. To make sure customers can call in and reach someone, VoIP providers like RingCentral, Grasshopper, Nextiva, and Jive Communications can keep customers connected. Internal teams can also share documents, photos, and other files with each other through file storage options like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. It’s all about choosing what works best for your team and their communication style.
Continuing to build and maintain positive company culture
If the future of work is remote, the company culture will play a big part in making this a success. If managers and employees already have a strong foundation, it will be easier to maintain that foundation and conquer anything that lies ahead!
On the other hand, an unstable company culture might call for some adjustments. In one of our BlueWave Strategy Sessions, the panelists discussed the importance of maintaining relationships with clients, leadership team members, and employees.
Regarding leaders, “You are the culture that you foster for your teams. You need to have a culture where everyone is empowered to run,” Michael Taylor, SVP of Customer Operations at ClickDimensions, said. Leaders have the power to guide their team, encourage a positive work environment, and uphold the company culture to help improve employee wellness while at work (even if they’re not in the office!).
Working from home puts the focus on the work rather than a headcount
Along with maintaining company culture, working from home might present a new challenge for managers keeping an eye on employees. The book “Remote: Office Not Required” mentions how management teams can get wrapped up in counting chairs when employees are in the office. Working remotely has flipped that method of management on its head. Instead, WFH re-introduces the concept of monitoring employees’ quality of work.
Employees can now focus on collaborating with the team virtually. Managers can double-check completed tasks by their due dates and check-in to make sure that their customers are being assisted properly. Project management tools and other communication channels are a great way to keep everyone updated on work progress.
Managers can still check in with video, phone calls, and online chat systems. They can simply shift their focus to asking questions like “Did we finish everything that we needed to today? Did we hit our goals? Are customers happy?”
If the future of work is remote, employees can work from anywhere and focus on work-life balance
Seeing coworkers and managers in the office is much different than interacting with everyone on a screen. Some companies might opt for working from home half of the time and coming into the office the other half. Other companies might not be ready to return to the office at all.
If employees aren’t required to report to a physical office, they “in theory” can work from anywhere. A coffee shop. At home with their family. At the beach. They can find a better work-life balance overall whether they have kids, roommates, or need time for themselves outside of work. It’s all a matter of hitting the “off” button after clocking out and employers can help promote a health balance.
Questions about working, interviewing, or succeeding while at home?
Chat with our team! 📲 We’re here for you, whether you’re transitioning to a new career or seeking a new opportunity with an awesome tech startup. The future of work might be uncertain right now, but we’re here to help, even in the smallest ways.
You can also stay updated with our weekly LinkedIn Live sessions where we discuss technology, leadership, and the future of work. 💻
