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"It is about workplace flexibility. It's about giving our associates the opportunity to be who they are as an individual, whether that is a community member, a spouse or parent, or anything in between. That flexibility has come to be very important for our associate base." — Quote by Amy Freshman, ADP.
Remote work is a novel experience for most of us in 2020. It brings with it challenges and issues that can be addressed thus ensuring a good experience. With more companies and employees welcoming (50% as per a survey) and open to the idea, working from home or WFH is quite the buzzword nowadays in all forms of corporate life. To aid you in this journey of working from home, we present some tips on managing the situation to get the most out of it.
Here are some tips for remote working which will smoothen the entire process:
Communication – Being away from the physical office doesn’t mean you are cut off or cannot effectively communicate with peers, juniors, or supervisors as you did face to face or in meetings. Now a host of tech tools are at hand for improving communication besides emails. There are tools for instant messaging such as Whatsapp. Zoom or other mediums of video-conferencing are now all the rage and effective. Skype for Business and Google Hangouts are some examples of group communication. Schedule regular interactions on the phone or other mediums once a week or more.
Remote collaboration tools – Use a cloud-based tool that facilitates collaboration between you and others even if you are sitting miles away. Thus documents and files can be shared, reviewed, and contributed by relevant personnel saving time, money, and energy. There is much such software in the market, it’s just a matter of looking for them and investing in the right one for you. Google is a pioneer and the preferred choice for web-based document creation and editing. Team members can write, edit, leave comments, etc
The organization of work - The key to success at work from home/remote working is being organized. Plan your day well and use checklists. You can use various software available such as dashboards and kanban boards. With a plethora of notifications, tools, and emails it’s difficult to forget about tasks and chores. Manmeet Kaur working these days at home in South Delhi says “Kanban boards are a big asset and help me manage my work effectively with minimal stress”.
Documentation – Make sure everything you do is written and documented. Use a cloud-based tool to store all information that can be shared with others. Ensure it is password protected.
Cyber Security - Use strong passwords to protect data at all times. Change the password on a regular basis. Use different passwords for different accounts. Beware of Wi-Fi services in public places as they may not be secure at all times. Install good antivirus software and update it regularly. Log onto a VPN service to keep your Internet traffic encrypted. Don’t download software from unknown websites or without a license to prove its authenticity.
With these simple tips, you are now assured of a good work from home experience. Make the most of the opportunity and bring a work-life balance into your lives and those of your loved ones. A new dawn awaits all of us!
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