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COVID-19: ADVICE FROM TOP CEOS ON WORKING REMOTELY

Admin • May 4, 2020

Person Writing — Jacksonville, FL — Reliance Desktop

Of all the changes the COVID-19 pandemic has brought on us, perhaps one of the biggest adjustments is the drastic shift in workforce dynamics. More employees than ever are taking to working remotely. After settling into a nearly a month of stay-at-home mandates and social distancing, you may find yourself asking: is this our new normal? While we don’t know exactly how long this “new normal” may last, there are some critical steps you can take to stay productive at home—and keep your sanity, too.

6 CRITICAL TIPS TO AVOID THE WORK-FROM-HOME SLUMP:

Invest in technology. When working remotely, you’re only as productive as your technology lets you be. According to Robert Glazner, CEO of an all-remote company with 177 worldwide employees, investing heavily in the right technology is essential. Slow video, connection problems, and other tech glitches will quickly slow your team down. But with powerful video conferencing tools, quality hardware devices, and a little extra home WiFi bandwidth to keep up, an all-remote team can become an unstoppable force.
Use a VPN for Security. Usually, home WiFi networks are not nearly as secure as your office network. Because of this lack in security, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a critical tool while working remotely. Keep in mind that if your employees are working from home, your private data is now being shared across new, foreign WiFi networks. Be sure to provide your remote employees with VPN software to keep any connection into your company’s data more secure.
Dedicate a Space. Keeping your work and home life separate can be tricky when you’re working from home. One of the best ways to combat the mental clutter is to dedicate a space for your work, away from your bedroom, that acts as your own little office. The simple action of sitting down to work in the same space as usual is a powerful way to tell your brain: “Okay, it’s time to focus.”
Over-communicate. Check in often with your teammates. According to The CEO’s Guide To Remote Working by Forbes, “transparency and open communication is key to the success of any business.” The teams that don’t communicate openly enough will suffer productivity loss and tension. Even worse, coworkers may begin to feel isolated and unheard. If you’re not already using a team-wide project management software tool to help with communication, now is a great time to implement one.
Maintain regular hours. Eugenio Pace, CEO of Auth0 and nearly 300 remote workers, reminds us that "having structure in your day is essential for producing results. And while working from home gives you some flexibility in choosing your hours, the most important step is to create a schedule that works for you—and stick to it.
Keep the kids busy. One of the most unique factors of working remotely during a pandemic is that the majority of us are surrounded by our kids for the entire day. This can hinder your productivity. Dan Khasis, CEO of Route4Me, a remote company since 2008, recommends explaining to your kids that even though you’re at home, you’re still working. Then, just like you set a schedule for yourself, remember to also schedule school time and activities for your kids. Following these steps keeps them busy, and gives you the chance to focus on your work.

Additionally, keep in mind that Reliance Desktop makes working remotely easy. Our remote, managed desktops are stored on private servers with strict, two-factor VPN security. We can help your team work remotely from anywhere—without compromising your security. Contact Us today to learn more.

Curious how we can help your team become a remote powerhouse?

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