Remote work has been a topic that we, in Biztek Solutions, Inc. have been heavily focused on these past few weeks. As we continue to see the rise of affected individuals, the recommendation for social distancing has now transformed into a command. However, its difficult to transition your workspace and the customs of your office to remotely working & we know the difficulties as a business owner to ensure both productivity and effectivity with the tools you are given. 

The content in the article you will find to be both beneficial and practical.

There are great resources and recommendations to help equip your business for further success broken down by *”smart tools” and “soft skills”

SMART TOOLS

The great thing about most office work today is that it can be done anywhere and anytime. But even better is that working by yourself at home does not mean you have to work alone. There is a plethora of tools out there that allow people to work remotely yet collaboratively.  

Here are some of the best: 

Office 365 and Teams: With the cloud version of Microsoft’s well-known Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.), along with conferencing tools like chat and video calls, you can work anywhere, but together. You can attend meetings online, collaborate on the same document, share files, etc. 

*Teams is now offered for FREE. Click on this link for more information.

Zoom Chats: Increasingly popular, Zoom chats are affordable and a great way to stay in touch. 

SOFT SKILLS

The other part of the equation is that, right now, you need to learn how to manage people with whom you are not in constant physical contact. There is an art to it. Here are some of our top tips: 

— Engage regularly: Especially now, it is critical that you stay in contact. Have regular check-ins. Chat. Text. Share calendars. (Calendy is excellent for this.) 

— Video chat: The face-to-face of a video call can go a long way to easing the burden and distance of working alone. As mentioned, ZOOM chats and the like are the way to go. Group conference calls will be especially critical at this time for keeping the team and dream going. 

— Give them the tools they need: Not everyone may be set up for this technology-based business model I am advocating. To the extent people on your team need help getting up to speed, it is your job to give it to them. 

— Make everyone accountable: Set clear expectations with regard to projects, due-dates and deadlines. 

— Stay informed: As a leader, it is also incumbent upon you to stay informed about the latest coronavirus developments. The best resource we have found so far is from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. 

A great way to stay informed is to visit our Coronavirus Resource Page made available to the general public. 

We have accumulated a few valuable resources to help ensure this dilemma to work to your advantage. It’s imperative to both be informed and proactive in overcoming certain obstacles that can be faced with the pandemic. We have provided reliable resources, important informational tools, and FREE easy to use software that can optimize the productivity and effectivity of your office/business.

For more information – contact us here or email us at info@biztek-solutions.com

Stay safe & stay healthy, everybody!

 

 

*(Reposted article by Steve Strauss from USA Today published Mar. 18, 2020)