There’s no denying that in recent years the world has seen a big shift to a more remote work lifestyle. The increasing normality of flexible work arrangements means employees and teams aren’t always working within the confines of the same walls. This means that small businesses have been tasked with figuring out how to adapt quickly. If you are a small business owner interested in ideas for adapting to remote work situations, let’s explore 4 options that will help drive innovation, harness digitation and increase your overall productivity and success.
Establish Clear Communication Protocols
Remote work means employees can no longer walk a few steps to another team member’s office and discuss problems or solutions. This means that establishing clear remote communication protocols is key to maintaining a connection. Small businesses should provide remote employees with an outline of expectations including communication protocols, check-in expectations, and access to video conferencing platforms. Remote employees should also be provided with a way to provide feedback as well as instructions on how to keep the lines of communication flowing both ways. Taking these steps up front will help maintain a sense of connection among the team, in turn leading to a positive work-from-home experience.
Streamline Workflows with Online Faxing Integration
Though offices rarely use physical fax machines anymore, it is still largely understood that sending important information via fax is a more secure way to share files compared to sending through email. Another benefit to sending a free fax via a digital platform is that files can be stored in a secure cloud environment, eliminating the need for bulky filing cabinets or teams that work in the same office space. For small businesses interested in experiencing the advantage of a free fax service, finding a free fax trial is the next step. By integrating a free fax service into existing workflows, remote teams can increase overall efficiency.
Integrate Project Management Software
Project management software provides teams working remotely with a centralized platform for planning, tracking, and completing tasks. Furthermore, project management software can provide small business owners a way to maintain visibility as to how projects are progressing and jump in as needed. This way, projects of all sizes stay on track and within budget. Small businesses should focus on software that includes features such as project planning, assigning tasks, and document sharing to promote efficiency. This will allow teams to work cohesively no matter where individual team members are located.
Offer Training and Support for Remote Workers
Some employees may transition seamlessly to a remote work environment, while others may find the change daunting or even overwhelming. Hands-on managers may also feel uneasy about having less visibility into the day-to-day activities of the individual contributors they are responsible for managing. For these reasons, providing employees at all levels with training and support is essential. Doing so will help everyone on the team feel more supported and heard as everyone adjusts to a remote work environment.
Navigate Small Business Remote Work Challenges
Now, more than ever, small businesses are looking for ways to adapt to an increasingly popular remote work environment. By taking steps including establishing communication protocols, streamlining workflows with online faxing, leveraging project management software, and offering continuous training and support for remote staff, small businesses can start to overcome the challenges of remote work. Small businesses that embrace these solutions will have a leg up on their competition and be better positioned for success in this new digital age.
