How to Work Remotely Effectively

April 11, 2020
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Donny Raw
Posted in Business
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We are in an ever-changing environment, and we need to adapt and move forward. As technology is becoming more advanced it is important to learn how to work remotely, working remotely further has been an increasingly viable option for many. Internet connection is getting faster, the mode of communication is getting more manageable, and cloud computing has become more sophisticated. With these available resources, people can improve their daily life and cope with the challenges, such as pollution, overpopulation, and traffic congestion.

Currently, we are facing a global crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic, and working from home has ever been more beneficial. Moreso, it is a logical move for small, medium, and large scale businesses because we can’t afford to be stagnant and not move forward while addressing this global crisis.

While multinational companies have switched to working from home with their readily available resources, some small owners are showing resilience during this time as well. They have turned completely digital: accessing free tools for communication and maximizing the use of the internet. They have been promoting their products online more than ever. It is worth noting that there is a whole new level of marketing when running a business during a pandemic.

It is the time to stay connected to your partners, customers, and to reach out to potential clients. Social media channels and google could be of excellent use. The result of these platforms is impressive, as this has become a powerful tool for everyone at this trying time. Indeed, this is a challenging time for everyone, but at one point, this pandemic will come to an end. And according to Spark Factory, “we believe there will be a gold rush on google ads once the economy starts to return to normal. However, Google uses data from the previous two weeks when evaluating your ads, so pulling out of the market/not starting now will have far worse consequences than staying in the market and making a lower return.” We should reflect on this note of this to persevere and secure our future. Companies, employees, and freelancers need to come out with an enhanced state even with the economic downturn.

While others have already shifted to a work-from-home job a couple of years back, some are still adjusting to this new environment. Bear in mind that effective communication is key to everyone working remotely. We should be careful of the proper medium when communicating and brainstorming. It is advisable to use email for long messages and documentation purposes. Then use chat for some small staff clarification. Chat channels aren’t limited to collaboration and follow-ups; you can also have a separate channel to promote camaraderie. Furthermore, use video conferences to address pressing issues and important meetings to avoid misunderstanding, and it eliminates confusion.

Having a video conference enables everyone to show the emotional component that isn’t available in chats. Meaning we can see the gesture, eye contact, facial reaction, and hear the tone of the other person, and this is a great venue to collaborate. We need to exhibit professionalism and observe proper etiquette. In this channel, we need to choose appropriate clothes, choose your background, and have adequate lighting, minimize the background noise and remove potential distractions. Also, ensure to check your audio and camera setting a few minutes before to avoid any delays in the meeting.

Working remotely likewise can likely be a double-edged sword: It offers flexibility but potentially counterproductive without addressing procrastination. There are multiple ways to beat procrastination, and it is different when we are in the comfort of our home. With this, there should be a clear boundary between things to do at work and household chores. We can create a daily routine: wake up early, start your day with yoga or an exercise, and so forth and then list the things you have accomplished at the end of the day.

Observe your productivity. We have different personalities and have different approaches when it comes to efficiency at work. Some may want to finish small tasks first and then reserve the most tedious task for later. Whatever way is working for you, stick to it, and then find ways to improve your work. Newbies at work at home may face a learning curve, so you need to be extra diligent. Set a specific goal and make a realistic action plan to overcome the challenges of this working environment.

Effectively working remotely further may seem simple, but we need to remember that this is a game-changer for everyone. Take advantage of technology to come out of this pandemic stronger.