Remote work essentials

After many years of being on the fringe, remote working has finally made it into the mainstream. And that means more people are discovering that you can’t work from anywhere.

Wherever you choose to work or manage your hybrid workforce, remote working is still possible, even without WiFi, provided you’ve got solid mobile coverage with a decent data contract, and electricity. There are plenty of places in the world that offer that, but you need to keep in mind that some do not.?

Just like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs can govern what’s important in the physical workplace, there’s a hierarchy of needs for remote workers too.?

But they’re not just equipment or internet infrastructure needs. Sure, you won’t get very far without electricity, an internet connection, or your laptop. But these things sit at the bottom of the pyramid for remote workers.?

To make remote work effective, you need a culture that embraces and seeks to include remote workers as much as they do office workers. You must consider other people’s needs, boundaries, and time zones. Your 'urgent' message might be landing in their inbox at 1 am.?

All employees need to be mindful that they could be working very different hours than their colleagues and factor this in when they’re waiting for a response or check-in. Before embracing a remote-first culture, companies need to put frameworks in place to manage remote workers fairly.

And leaders need to find a balance between asynchronous and synchronous communication so that time is used effectively, and needs for connection are met. Do you need to make every decision on a Zoom call? Or can you work something out over slack??

The more distributed your workforce is, the harder it will be to find meeting slots that suit everyone. When employers and employees select a new remote working location, they need to consider how frequently they want to connect ‘live’.?

Many remote companies choose to do yearly retreats, where all employees (remote or in-office) can connect in person. These events help employees connect with their colleagues, collaboratively problem solve, and realign themselves with the company mission and values.?

Remote working doesn’t have to mean you never meet your colleagues. What it should mean, is people can work from a location they find inspiring, have experiences they find fulfilling, and integrate work and life better.?

Curious about a remote working lifestyle for you or your employees? I’m sharing my expertise here.?

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