In 2019, Bloom Talent decided to move our team out of an office and try out a remote model. So far remote has worked great for our team. We still meet weekly in-person at a coworking space, but largely work-from-home most other days. We have found working remotely to be hugely beneficial to our productivity and overall happiness because it provides more flexibility, work-life balance, and an ability to create our own schedule. This freedom empowers us to be smarter with our time and thus more productive.
We realize this is not an option for everyone and we are grateful that we can do this as a team, but we also acknowledge that this working setup can pose a few challenges. You can feel lonely or lose motivation so we thought in light of all that’s going on in the world today, we wanted to share some tips on how as a team we have found success working remotely. See below.
Create a comfortable and dedicated workspace.
If you don’t have a designated office in your home then transform an existing space into a working area. Pick a spot that is free from distractions and creates a clear boundary between work and home. Make sure you have the equipment you would otherwise have at your office, including a monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.
Be conscious of ergonomics. We recommend using a laptop stand and using a chair that properly supports your back.
Keep your working space free of distraction and organized. Have only the work materials that you utilize on your desk - computer, monitor, notebook, planner, etc.
Get into a productive mood.
Whether that means dressing up for the day, putting on relaxing music or clearing any clutter before you jump into the day, it’s important to create a space that boosts your productivity!
When you create a designated workspace, you know that it’s time to work.
Try and start work at the same time every day, just as you would if you were going into an office. Stick to a schedule that works for you.
Document processes and store them in the cloud.
Since you’re not meeting in-person every day or sitting at a desk next to a coworker, it’s helpful to store and share documents in the cloud so people can easily access them. This can include company policies, training guides, employee handbooks, marketing collateral, contracts, client documents, etc. Make sure everyone is on the same page on where to find these and they are organized well. This helps remote employees do their jobs more efficiently and more successfully.
Chances are if you are doing something well, another employee could be too, so document it and share it with your team.
Utilize good remote tools.
It’s important to keep the communication up with your colleagues especially now that you are no longer just a few desks away. Utilizing remote tools such as Slack, Google Hangout, Zoom, Notion, and the many other communication and project management tools available are a perfect way to stay in touch and discuss projects, timelines, tasks, and goals.
Stay in touch and connected.
Schedule regular team standup meetings virtually. This way the team always has a set time on their calendar to touch base. Take time to get the human interaction you need. The isolation of working from home can take effect on individuals especially if you are used to socializing in the office so it’s important to acknowledge that and take the steps you need to interact with others.
If you need more social interaction, try finding a co-working space that meets your needs or a cafe that has other remote workers to work alongside and connect with.
Take breaks.
This is an important part of managing your energy throughout the day. Taking a walk outside or leaving your home for lunch is a great way to boost your energy levels!
If you cannot get outside, try doing an online home workout or yoga stretch session to get the blood flowing.
Know when it’s time to disconnect.
This can be one of the most challenging aspects for remote workers. It’s important to develop a schedule when you are officially “signed off” for the night so you can have a good work/life balance.