Remote work is literally everywhere. Harvard Business Review suggests it as a way to give productivity a boost. There are TED Talks that go a step further and call the standard office out as a productivity killer. Tech pioneers such as WordPress and GitHub tout remote work as the next logical evolutionary step in the business world.
Remote. The Cloud. Virtual. All terms describing something intangible. Something we can’t quite grasp or measure. So when it comes to moving our businesses, an entire livelihood, into this new, nebulous realm of “remote,” all the compelling studies, well-researched articles, and inspirational talks in the world can’t reassure you it’s a solid move. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be an either/or situation. Below are three ways to dip your toe into remote work without saying goodbye to your office just yet:
Nominate a guinea pig
Take a look at your staff. Is there anyone whose job is done entirely by computer? Think accounting, IT, or admin roles. Ever wonder how many resources go into simply keeping them at a desk in your office? Rent, utilities, equipment maintenance: all costs associated with maintaining an office space when chances are your employees can do those same tasks from the comfort of their own home (maybe even better without the typical office distractions).
Choose an employee for a trial run. If you’re worried about work getting done, there’s a host of low- or no-cost apps available to keep an eye on their work, HiveDesk, IDoneThis, and Asana to name a few. Video conferencing and chatting will ensure you’re able to keep in touch as easily as if they’re in the same room. If it works well for them, you can think about extending the privilege to an entire department.
Switch out your services
If you’re not quite willing to manage a remote worker, you can try switching a service to an outside virtual team. We may be a bit biased, but answering services and virtual receptionists can do nearly all of the same tasks as an on-site employee. The same goes for appointment-setters, IT teams, or lead handlers. As an added benefit, many of these services are able to work around the clock, are scalable, and only charge by usage. Taking a virtual team for a test-run is a great way to familiarize yourself with remote work without making any huge changes or commitments.
Work-from-Home Wednesdays
If you’re feeling confident or just eager to get the remote work ball rolling, kick off Work-from-Home Wednesdays. Assuming their duties allow it, let your employees telecommute one day a week. Reap the benefits of remote work without giving up face-time or collaborative meetups completely. If you find your employees happier and more productive, extend telecommuting to more days. You may find yourself with In-Office Fridays, or without an office altogether.
