{"id":31664,"date":"2021-04-07T08:30:17","date_gmt":"2021-04-06T22:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aublog.corp.ringcentral.com\/blog\/how-to-make-remote-working-seamless\/"},"modified":"2023-01-13T23:21:48","modified_gmt":"2023-01-13T13:21:48","slug":"how-to-make-remote-working-seamless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/au\/en\/blog\/how-to-make-remote-working-seamless\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Remote Working and Collaboration Seamless"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many, remote work has become the new normal \u2014 in Australia and around the world. It can come with various perks for you as an employer, and for your staff, but also pitfalls to be mindful of.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Remote working can make collaboration awkward for team members sharing projects, and being away from the office could leave some employees isolated and unproductive. In this article, we outline the pros and cons of having teams based at home, as well as our top tips for working remotely successfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

Remote work is on the up in Australia<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working wasn\u2019t at all uncommon in Australia, with <\/span>20% of employees working from home<\/span><\/a> regularly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working wasn\u2019t at all uncommon in Australia, with 20% of employees working from home regularly. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

You won\u2019t be surprised to find that this number has increased dramatically since early 2020. According to the <\/span>Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies<\/span><\/a>, home-based days have doubled for managers and almost tripled for employees in sales and admin roles during the pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While this results from necessary measures to combat the spread of the virus, remote working facts and figures show that many of us are embracing our new set-up. Over 80% of respondents to the <\/span>Life after lockdown survey<\/span><\/a> said they think employees should be able to continue working from home when the crisis is over, and social distancing restrictions are lifted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Working remotely: pros and cons<\/b><\/h2>\n

Working from home is a very different experience and set-up compared to going to an office every day. For some companies and employees it works brilliantly, while others may need extra support. So what are the positives and the negatives of working remotely vs office life?<\/span> Here are some points to consider.<\/span><\/p>\n

Flexible remote work can offer more freedom and less stress<\/b><\/h3>\n

By definition, remote work comes with at least some level of self-management, and usually more flexibility than a typical office environment. It also means less <\/span>office politics<\/span><\/a>, which can cause strain on relationships and get in the way of productivity. These are probably some of the reasons why many sought out <\/span>remote work careers<\/span><\/a> before COVID-19 made it mainstream.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cutting out commuting, bad energy, and the office dress code can help reduce stress and free up your team members\u2019 time significantly. More spare time and less restrictive \u201crules\u201d means it\u2019s easier to fit work around other obligations and priorities, as well as personal preferences, empowering your colleagues to create a happier, healthier work\/life balance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Remote work productivity is high<\/b><\/h3>\n

Traditionally, many managers would worry that letting their staff work from home might see them slacking off, with productivity taking a hit. However, the coronavirus pandemic is proving that notion wrong.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a <\/span>recent survey<\/span><\/a>, a massive 85% of Australian respondents said they are just as, or more, productive working from home, compared to being in the office. Many <\/span>employers agree<\/span><\/a>, with 57% of managers saying productivity has been the same, while 34.6% believe it\u2019s higher since COVID-19 forced their teams to start working remotely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a recent survey, a massive 85% of Australian respondents said they are just as, or more, productive working from home, compared to being in the office. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Working remotely means spending less money<\/b><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not just time that your team can save by working from home. Less travel to and from the office, along with fewer store bought lunches, meals out, and opportunistic impulse buys will translate to substantially lower monthly outgoings for many.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lower business costs<\/b><\/h3>\n

Companies can save money on remote working too. Having all or the majority of your staff working mostly from home can offer employers a range of savings on things like office space, events, office supplies, utility bills, and other facilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Companies can save money on remote working too. Having all or the majority of your staff working mostly from home can offer employers a range of savings on things like office space, events, office supplies, utility bills, and other\u2026 <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Remote work and isolation<\/b><\/h3>\n

While many Australians enjoy working remotely, others are finding the lack of a busy, sociable office environment a challenge. Physical <\/span>isolation and feelings of loneliness<\/span><\/a> are two big concerns expressed by people working from home. Both can harm your employees\u2019 mental health and their performance on the job.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Technical issues, knowledge and infrastructure\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

The right technology infrastructure, including <\/span>seamless communications and collaboration tools<\/span><\/a>, is even more crucial when face-to-face teamwork isn\u2019t an option. If your staff don\u2019t have the right equipment, knowledge of how to use it, or easy access to IT support from home, they might struggle to do their jobs effectively.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>Adaptavist\u2019s Digital Etiquette Report<\/span><\/a>, 38% of remote workers surveyed said they worry daily about communicating virtually. On top of this, 44% state they weren\u2019t given any training on the digital platforms their employers provided to help them do their jobs from home.<\/span><\/p>\n

No \u201coff button\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\n

Another potential issue for employees working remotely is the tendency to never properly switch off, as the line between professional and home life is blurred. This is often linked to technology too \u2014 for example, if your team members find themselves using apps that would normally be reserved for family and friends to chat with colleagues about work projects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to feel like you\u2019re \u201calways-on\u201d when it comes to digital communications, and nearly two-thirds of remote workers confessed to <\/span>not switching off work notifications out of hours<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Innovation can suffer<\/b><\/h3>\n

Working from home can take its toll on business innovation, as team members feel distant and collaboration is less straightforward. When it comes to sparking creativity, a video call or instant chat<\/a> often won\u2019t generate the same energy and flow of ideas as being in a room with your co-workers, bouncing ideas off each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

Could hybrid working be the way forward?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

COVID-19 has proven to many business leaders and managers that remote working is perfectly viable, if done right. For employers looking at ways to combine the best of both \u2014 keeping staff healthy and happy, while boosting productivity and cutting costs \u2014 hybrid working could be an attractive solution.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hybrid working is when employees split their working hours between being office-based and working remotely, either at home or in another non-office environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With hybrid working, employees can get the benefits of remote work (like more flexibility and a better work\/life balance), while still having access to a communal office space and their colleagues. At the same time, companies that are savvy about resource allocation could potentially cut their overhead and running costs by quite a bit, without losing out on business performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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5 tips for working remotely as a team successfully<\/b><\/h2>\n

When it comes to the best advice for working remotely and making it seamless, how you manage the transition and day-to-day workload will obviously vary from business to business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, there are some general things that companies can do to give themselves the best chance of achieving a healthy and productive set-up for their teams. Here are our five top tips for making remote working work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Encourage frequent catch-ups and communications\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

As much as the noise and interruptions of office life can be distracting and even annoying at times, many of us miss the social aspect of being at work. Informal, daily team catch-ups, regular one-to-ones, monthly all-staff meetings and ongoing communications can go a long way towards making your employees feel connected, heard, and part of a work family.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Agree on ways of working and expectations\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Working remotely effectively will most likely mean adjusting some of your processes, as well as introducing new ones. Make sure everyone in your team is comfortable with the agreed ways of delivering work, and how to keep each other updated. Set specific tasks and deadlines, so that your team members know exactly who\u2019s doing what, and focus on results rather than activity. Avoid micromanaging \u2014 but let your staff know that you are always available if they need your input.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Invest in technology\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

The software and systems you use in the office may not be as well suited to remote work. And even if they are, you might still have to introduce new tools to keep your colleagues collaborating and sharing information effortlessly. Reliable <\/span>video conferencing and calling software<\/span><\/a> will make team meetings and client updates easy to arrange when you can\u2019t get together in person.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also want to make sure that you have a system in place that lets you work together on documents and share files securely, internally as well as with external partners. Popping over to someone\u2019s desk to ask a quick question is no longer an option, so an effective <\/span>team messaging app or tool<\/span><\/a> is a good idea to keep communications simple.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Offer tech training and support\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Ensure your employees know how to properly use any tool and technology that you\u2019re relying on for remote working. Rather than just asking your team if they feel confident navigating new software or equipment, consider setting up mandatory online training sessions and making your IT staff available for ongoing support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Don\u2019t forget about the emotional support<\/b><\/h3>\n

COVID-19 has added extra pressure to many people\u2019s lives, including money worries and the stress of not being able to see loved ones. Listen carefully to what your team members are telling you, or what they\u2019re not saying. Try to be aware of people\u2019s individual circumstances and look out for signs that they might be having a difficult time, like <\/span>recent changes in behaviour<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure you stay in contact with your team daily, sharing good news and praise, so that they do not just hear from management when there\u2019s a tight deadline to meet, or something\u2019s gone wrong. And finally, take the time for regular social conversations and non-work-related one-to-ones with your team, to help colleagues feel less isolated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ready to go remote?<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re looking at ways to make the logistics of remote working simpler, we can help with the technology side of things. Our <\/span>fully integrated, secure communications platform<\/span><\/a> combines everything you need to get work done in one intuitive app, from video, calls, and messaging to file sharing, task management, and analytics.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For many, remote work has become the new normal \u2014 in Australia and around the world. It can come with various perks for you as an employer, and for your staff, but also pitfalls to be mindful of.\u00a0 Remote working can make collaboration awkward for team members sharing projects, and being away from the office …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":31667,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[484,200],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-employee-productivity","category-ringcentral-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Make Remote Working Seamless | RingCentral AU Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you one of many managers with teams based at home in Australia? 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