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March 30, 2020

3 Effective Strategies for Remote Work Organization During Coronavirus Shutdown



The COVID-19 outbreak, which is officially categorized by the WHO as a pandemic, has changed the business world. Now to get yourself through hard times when travel and large gatherings are banned, shops are closed, and chaos rules the world, you have to create effective work from home strategies for your business. So did high-profile companies such as Microsoft, Google (News - Alert), Amazon, and Facebook, which had encouraged their employees to work remotely. And now it’s your turn.



How to set up remote working without stress?

Get your technology in order

Modern tech companies, for which remote working is already a part of their infrastructure and policy, and whose staff members are already laptop users, may still lack some tools for work. The minimum package for productive remote work must include:

  • Secure internet access and VPN: the stable internet connection is what determines remote work productivity. You must also have heard of business VPN, which can help mask your home office location (for instance, CommPeak VPN for remote workers.) Make sure your workers never do any work without turning their VPN on because it ensures a static IP address in the country you need and a high level of security.
  • Remote work devices: here, you have two options — when providing a superior pandemic strategy of working from afar, your employees can use their own devices, which is cheap but is a huge security risk. Or you can provide them with what they need — a computer, internet access hardware, webcam, and high-quality headset. No matter what you choose, remember that your goal is to ensure smooth communications and collaboration of your remote team without compromising their health.
  • Other remote work tools: teamwork is essential when working remotely from home. Make sure you have Google G suite for sharing documents, corporate chat like Slack, enterprise social network, and Zoom or other remote conferencing services. And if you deal with international calls daily, Cloud PBX can help you manage your inbound and outbound calls right from your home.
  • Create collaboration routine

Working from home is an issue for many people because it’s harder to connect with your co-workers, even with all the digital tools you have. That is why it’s important to find the right collaboration mode. Try to organize agile-like processes by setting up morning stand-ups and check-ins, using instant messaging platforms for business communication, and running and controlling your projects in one digital workspace. You should also use video conferencing to connect with your colleagues even if it’s uncomfortable, as this helps to feel less isolated.

Cultivate positive mindset

Shifting to remote work can become a big transition to your employees. They may feel lonely, isolated, and frustrated, or, on the contrary, relaxed and energized. It’s normal, as any transition takes some getting used to. Besides, people tend to work more because it’s harder to leave work. So, it’s vital to set working hours and discuss them with both your team and family. You should also schedule breaks for lunch and rest, and don’t forget about fresh air — it’s something most people fail to remember during self-isolation.

Your main aim is to support your team, give enough time for self-organization and study of the new remote tools.

Summing up

When should we try all these innovative tools, change our business culture, and prepare for whatever is beyond COVID-19 if not now? The Coronavirus crisis gives a challenge to many businesses today. On the other hand, it’s a key opportunity to create a new remote digital environment — more engaging, participatory, and full of human communication.

Author’s Bio:

Veronika Petrenko is a CommPeak contributing writer with a Master’s degree in English. A writer by day and reader by night, she has spent much of her career writing blogs, articles, and reviews covering Telecom, IoT, and business for various websites. When she’s not writing, you might find Veronika painting, traveling, or studying books on self-development. She truly believes that if you wait for inspiration to write, you are not a writer but a waiter.


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