Can Your Business Support a Remote Workforce?
Remote work has been revolutionized and really pushed forward by the recent global events, the pandemic, and lockdowns that people all over the world have experienced. Companies were forced to adapt to the new situations in order to survive, and allowing their workers to do their jobs remotely was one of the main methods used. Your business might not be currently required to let workers work remotely, but considering it in the long-term is wise, as workers want more flexibility from their employers when it comes to how they perform their tasks. Continue reading to learn if your business can support a remote workforce.
Commuting can be a real issue for many employees, and being able to work from home is usually a great intrinsic motivation for them. But can your business support remote work, and do you have the technology to keep your workflow secure and efficient?
What You Need to Support a Remote Workforce
Your company needs to be able to provide the technology and conditions for remote workers to do their jobs effectively and securely. If you can delegate remote workers to do at least a part of the tasks needed in your workflow, here is what you need to have.
1.) IT Support During Working Hours
If any of your remote workers are experiencing technical problems during their working hours, they should be able to reach the support team anytime. Having a worker blocked by an issue, without anybody able to intervene and fix it means that your workflow is interrupted and possibly other workers are affected as well.
2.) Remote Desktops and Mobile Devices
Working remotely is best done with a device that can be easily installed, easy to move around, and place where it’s most convenient and performant enough to secure a smooth chain of operations needed in a day’s work. Make sure that all the devices offered to remote workers have the proper software and features needed for them to do their job.
3.) Make Clear, Reinforced Security Protocols
Security is one of the main concerns when it comes to working remotely. Secure your data and the integrity of your operations by maintaining strong security protocols, training all the remote workers to follow best practices, updating your security software, and keeping the support team on the watch.
4.) Focus on the Best Ways to Communicate
Communicating remotely (video conferencing, virtual meetings, VoIP, etc.) can be challenging, especially when the tasks involve teamwork. Make sure remote workers can easily be contacted and get in contact with other workers. This is not only important for the tasks, but also for the well-being of the remote workers, who need socializing and interaction to be productive.
Remote Workforce Solutions from Hungerford
The challenges of having a remote workforce are not neglectable, as working from home raises a lot of problems that cannot be fixed in an office setting. But, with the right technology, training, and protocols, your company can truly benefit from having remote workers and allowing some of the work to be done from the comfort of home. Call us at (616) 949-4020 or contact us here to find out more about our business phone solutions.
