If there is anything the year 2020 taught us, it’s that almost everything can be done virtually with the power of the internet. From business to education, all sectors have adapted to the “new normal” of online operations in one way or another. The workplace is no exception.
In recent months, there has been a growing trend of employees working from home. This is especially true for businesses with customer-facing employees, who can now serve their clients remotely without any loss in quality or efficiency. However, William Schantz believes that working from home is not without its challenges. Businesses need to be aware of the potential risks and liabilities associated with having employees work remotely
Efficiently Working From Home – Explained By William Schantz
Establishing Communication and Collaboration Channels
Communication is essential for any business, but it can be challenging when employees are working remotely. There are a few different ways to stay in touch with remote employees:
– Email is the most common form of communication for businesses. However, it can be easy for important messages to get lost in the shuffle. For more urgent matters, consider using a chat tool like Slack or Microsoft Teams.
– Video conferencing is another great way to stay in touch with remote employees. Tools like Zoom and Skype allow you to conduct virtual meetings, which can be just as effective as in-person meetings.
– Screen sharing is a valuable collaboration tool that can be used during video conferences. This allows all participants to view the same screen, which can be helpful for presentations or brainstorming sessions.
Managing Time Zones and Availability
One of the challenges of working with a remote team is managing time zones. Employees in different parts of the world may be working at different hours, which can make coordination difficult. There are a few ways to manage this:
– Use a scheduling tool like Google Calendar to keep track of employee availability. This will allow you to see when employees are available for meetings or calls.
– If possible, try to schedule meetings during times that are convenient for all participants. This may mean having some meetings outside of normal business hours.
– Use a task management tool like Asana or Trello to assign tasks and deadlines. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that tasks are completed in a timely manner.
Ensuring Data Security
Data security is a major concern for businesses, especially when employees are working remotely. There are a few steps you can take to ensure that your data is secure:
– Use a VPN (a virtual private network) to encrypt your internet connection. This will make it more difficult for hackers to intercept your data.
– Use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords. This will help to protect your accounts from being hacked.
– Use two-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.
– Be careful about what information you share over email or chat. Avoid sending sensitive information over these channels.
Tracking Employee Productivity
William Schantz understands that it can be difficult to track employee productivity when everyone is working remotely. However, there are a few tools that can help:
– Time tracking software like RescueTime or Toggl can be used to track how much time employees are spending on tasks. This information can be helpful for identifying areas of improvement.
– Screen recording software like Loom or CloudApp can be used to record employee screens. This can be helpful for training purposes or for monitoring employee activity.
– Chat tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams can be used to monitor employee communication. This can be helpful for identifying any issues that need to be addressed.
Bottom Line
William Schantz points out that working from home can be challenging, but there are a few things businesses can do to make the transition easier. By managing time zones, promoting work-life balance, and supporting employee mental health, businesses can create a productive and healthy environment for their employees.