The business world goes through difficult times quite often. At the moment, we are being threatened by the coronavirus Covid 19. In the past, other viruses shook the very foundation of the business world. In the future, there will be more. And viruses are just one of the many different factors that could change the way the business world works.
The world labor market is changing daily. There was a time when remote working was considered to be a very risky process for a company out there. Nowadays and due to current situations, remote working is growing more and more popular. It has been proven that the concept of remote working has a lot to offer in the world of business.
Yes, of course, there are opportunities and there are threats as well. Remote working is definitely the new model of working and until all businesses adapt to it and all the different types of strategies have been created, there will always be problems when it comes to remote working. However, we must not turn our eyes away from the opportunities that remote working can provide for both the businesses as well as the employees.
Business and remote working
Starting with businesses, there are a few opportunities that we need to focus on for us to realize exactly why remote working is something that every modern business will want to try. First and foremost, the lack of a physical presence of the business can be very beneficial to the overall budget.
Most businesses nowadays only have a virtual presence. That means, most employees of the business are doing remote work. There is no need for a physical office meaning that the utility costs are a lot lower and in some cases non-existent. For new businesses with a low budget, this can be very beneficial. After all, nowadays most modern businesses are only focusing on their digital presence and remote employees.
Another way remote working benefits businesses is on a much more human level. It has been scientifically proven that remote work can reduce the anxiety of the employees. As a result, the employees can perform a lot better and they can provide the company with much more sufficient results. A company focusing on implementing projects or in general hiring remote workers will have much better results at the end of the day.
Dealing with the threats
Of course, although these are two very, very good opportunities for businesses we cannot possibly overlook the threats as well. It is very difficult for company managers to observe the work of the employees. It is also very difficult to plan, schedule and implement meetings during which the actual results of the projects or tasks will be made available.
Most companies out there do not have the infrastructure to support remote work. Whether it is a problem with access to the company’s server or the different timeframes of remote workers, who could be stationed all around the world.
Yes, remote work does allow a company to hire the best talents from across the globe but at the same time, there is the problem of time difference. That alone raises the need for specific strategies to be implemented. If the company has never had remote workers before, figuring out strategies and implementing them might prove to be a Herculean task.
Upgrading the business
Remote work allows the business to upgrade. By implementing remote work processes businesses allow their employees to evolve their skills and competencies as well as acquire knowledge and processes that will be more dominant in the future.
At the same time, the company will need to upgrade in terms of technology. It is true that nowadays employees are facing trouble due to the equipment companies are using. As long as the equipment is still working business owners will rarely think about replacing it with modern pieces. Remote work demands modern equipment. The employees will have the opportunity to use better equipment. That will allow them to do their work faster and easier.
Remote work also allows businesses to upgrade in terms of budget. It is true that when a business is forced to apply remote work policies perhaps due to a crisis like a coronavirus, there is the possibility of payments being delayed. In this case, the company will need to schedule ahead. The financial department of the business will need to predict and create scenarios based on the current budget, monitor situations and prioritize payments.
Prepare for the crisis
Being able to prepare for the multidimensional financial or taxation obligations of the business for six months at least, will help the business take a step forward and be prepared for any financial problem that might occur during the period of the crisis.
Another great upgrade for businesses is the alteration of schedules and new working models. Remote work demands communication, collaboration, the respect of timeframes and deadlines and most importantly, the evolution of knowledge, skills, and competencies.
For businesses who are finding themselves in need of remote work, e-learning and work-based learning policies could be a great addition to their current business model. By providing your employees with the ability to get proper education on remote work it will be a lot easier for you to implement policies that will, later on, prove to be very fruitful for the company.
Remote work and employees
During the period of crisis, it is not just the company that will need to adjust to the remote model. Employees will also need to learn how to do this correctly. Remote work is nothing like working from home. When you are working remotely you’re still working for the same company. You have the same obligations, the same tasks and you will need to meet your deadlines and keep your timeframes no matter what.
Remote work will be a lot easier for an employee solemnly because they will be working in a familiar environment. As mentioned earlier, working from home can reduce your anxiety. Employees working from home have the opportunity to take a step back and evaluate their work a lot easier and a lot better.
A lot of employees find the working environment to be quite stressful and in many different cases, it can be. Remote work could be giving the employees the time to assess the work better and improve their current results by improving their methods. Something that they might not have the opportunity to do while at the workplace.
More opportunities than threats?
Another reason why remote work is beneficial for employees is that they get the opportunity to work on multiple different projects. Remote work usually means that employees can work on their tasks faster. It is a lot easier to work from the safety of your desk, back home than actually having to deal with the noise and life of an office.
As a result, improving your knowledge of what you are currently working on, perhaps even take on more tasks and more jobs could be one of the best opportunities remote working can provide. Remote work is also going to give you the time to think about your work and your career opportunities.
During these difficult times, businesses need to take important steps and make the company more flexible and open to different business and working models. There is no guarantee that the current situation or any future situation will not completely shift the world of business. You as a business owner will want to be one step ahead.
This could be a real opportunity
Perhaps, this is a great opportunity for your business to evolve. Perhaps adding the remote business model in your company will give you more options and what you imagine. You will be able to find talents from around the world, perhaps work in more complicated projects and bring something new to your local market.
Remote work can do all that for you. By creating simple visual aids like for example a swot analysis regarding remote work for your business you could visualize the future and start working on different methods and different processes that you can start applying as soon as possible.
Remember that, if you had all the time the world to set up the remote work framework for your business, you will most likely be able to create something amazing, something that could bring your business to the next level. Unfortunately, emergency cases demand fast and easy to implement approaches.
Online research on the latest trends and tips for remote work will be able to provide you with enough information that can help you take action fast. Remember that, new working models need to be tested and altered many times until you find that one pattern that is going to suit your business the most. Do not get discouraged and do not start thinking that the current situation will be disastrous for your business. Do not see this as a thread. See this as an opportunity and any threat that might come your way, simply make sure that you’re going to deal with it, surpassed the problem and help your company grow stronger.
