The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed millions of employees to
work from home. It’s now become the norm, and many businesses are still
adjusting to the remote work life and learning what does and does not work.
When you’re running your business remotely, there are some challenges we’ve
never had to deal with. Connecting with customers and employees through the
screen isn’t easy. However, making your business profitable through remote work
CAN work. Without intentional efforts from workers and management, remote
work—can leave staff feeling distracted, isolated, unmotivated, and stressed.
Here are 5 Ways To Boost Remote Work Efficiency.
- Look
for specific areas where you can do better.
Every business can be better…all the time. Working from home
changes the culture of thinking proactively, so you have to ask yourself some
questions. “Do we have all the resources we need to get the job done”,
“how can we improve our communication through a screen and using our phone”,
“what limits employees and customers by working remotely and what can we do to
address these issues?” Don’t let these issues continue without taking
action. Address any concerns before they grow into roadblocks.
Significant areas of concern in remote workplaces and where
employees get most frustrated are technology, an area where productivity is
lost. For example, many employees say their aging equipment can hinder productivity
due to breakdowns, slow downloads, and workarounds. Make sure you and your
employees have the best equipment you can afford. This will help productivity
and satisfaction with your team.
2. Communication is key.
Communication is critical when working in any environment,
but even more now when working remotely. You must practice as much transparency
as you possibly can. If your employee doesn’t have all the information they
need, they cannot reach their full potential. Managers must overcommunicate in
order to move more productively. Managers must encourage their team and assure
them that they can express their voice and ask questions if necessary. Ensure
your employees feel comfortable asking questions and giving feedback to
complete the work efficiently and effectively.
You should also be clear with the goals and rewards they can
gain from their performance. This helps build more morale which we know results
in better performance.
A weekly touch point is recommended just to remain in
alignment. It is very easy to lose touch, and when that happens there is a
greater potential for miscommunication. Employees can lose focus and missing
priorities. Stay communicated.
3. Use meeting time wisely.
Sometimes it feels like you’re in meetings all day long when
working remotely. But remember, the more time employees spend in these
meetings, the less time they have to complete tasks. That’s why it’s crucial to
use meeting time wisely.
Meeting time has increased significantly since the pandemic.
But that actually is ineffective when trying to collaborate at our best. When
making a one-on-one or group call, try making them micro meetings of 15 minutes
for those less complex tasks. Short meetings dedicated to discussing one or two
issues can maintain productivity and increase efficiency.
4. Promote a proper workspace environment.
Remote workers should have a designated area of the home to
work where they can concentrate and minimize distractions. Encourage employees
to have a separate workspace so they can separate home and work life because
sometimes they can combine into one, and work is no longer the number one
priority.
5. Set priorities and stick to them.
Because demand for workers is competitive, it’s vital for
leaders to step in and help prioritize. Things change quickly for reasons that
may be out of people’s control. Daily checks and expectations are the priority,
saving everyone from frustrations and guiding them in the right direction. You
will see immediate results by creating a defined schedule and sticking to
it.
Jeff Newkirk - Blanton Advisors Associate CFO, Executive Coach
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