Having a remote work arrangement allows you to increase security, lower operating costs, and diversify your talent pool. It’s a great way to get your business started, and it’s easier than ever to find a solution that works for your company.
Increased productivity
Whether it is a small business or a large corporation, a new study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit on productivity, innovation, and the newest technologies has revealed a number of useful and actionable insights. For example, the report found a strong correlation between increased productivity and employees’ support of newer and more technologically advanced tools. The report also found that a significant number of companies have adopted a hybrid model, where some employees work from home while others work on site.
The aforementioned report also found that a significant number of businesses have lost a significant amount of money due to workplace distractions. This is a problem that could be remedied by removing the biggest distractions from employees’ workdays. In other words, the best way to improve employee productivity is to reduce the number of apps employees use to accomplish tasks.
The Economist Intelligence Unit also found that a number of companies have incorporated remote work options. In fact, one survey found that 39 per cent of respondents reported that their businesses have increased their overall productivity. This is not to say that remote work is the sexiest. However, a number of companies have discovered that it is a great way to increase employee satisfaction and retention. This also provides the company with a larger pool of talent to choose from.
While there is no foolproof way to improve productivity, companies that allow employees to work from home, or at least part of the time, have a leg up on their competition. Not only do employees get more work done, but they also enjoy improved health and happiness. This, in turn, boosts productivity. Having said that, it’s still not the easiest thing to do.
Diverse talent pools
Creating diverse talent pools for remote work is an important part of any company’s diversity initiative. The ability to hire people from diverse backgrounds means that companies can reach out to underserved populations and add a new perspective to their hiring process. This will also help businesses expand and tap into new markets.
Hiring from diverse talent pools allows businesses to attract new talent, tap into underutilized groups, and increase productivity. These new viewpoints spark creativity and innovation.
Diverse talent pools for remote work also allow companies to recruit candidates from around the world. This broadens their talent pool and gives companies the opportunity to find the best candidates. The diversity of thought also helps companies to remove blind spots.
Hiring from a broader talent pool can also increase gender diversity. Gender diversity can help companies to solve business challenges more creatively.
Diversity also helps companies to increase revenue growth. Diverse workforces also retain employees 5.4 times longer than non-diverse workforces. This can help companies to innovate more quickly and achieve higher returns.
Diversity also helps companies build a more worldly office culture. This is because hiring people from different regions brings a new perspective and different attitudes.
Hiring from a global talent pool also helps businesses find new and talented people. This includes workers in rural areas or countries outside of the United States.
Another way to increase diversity is through co-opetition. This involves working with a group of companies or competing with a group of companies in order to expand internationally. Some companies have even given points to recruiters who bring in more diverse talent.
The ability to hire people from distant regions opens up a world of opportunities. This opens up the talent pool and allows companies to recruit the best candidates from around the world.
Reduced operating costs
Having a remote workforce is not only a way to save money, but it also leads to many other advantages. Besides reduced operating costs, remote work also increases productivity and job satisfaction. A teleworker is likely to be 35-40% more productive than a conventional employee.
Companies can save an average of 32% in real estate costs with remote working. These savings are dependent on the sector the company operates in. In some cases, savings can reach 50%. The public sector stands to benefit the most in this regard.
The real estate costs of office space can be a huge chunk of a business’ budget. However, with the right strategic remote work arrangements, office space costs can be reduced.
In addition to real estate savings, companies can reduce other overhead business expenses. In some cases, the savings can be reinvested into business operations. A 2%-3% savings on invoices can add up to $2,000 per year.
In some cases, businesses can save on utilities, council rates, rent, and other expenses. Companies can also reduce their physical footprint. This reduces the cost of office supplies and maintenance costs.
The average full time teleworker can expect to save up to $10,000 a year. The American Express BlueWork program claims to save companies $10-$15 million in real estate costs each year.
Many companies have implemented a remote work model and have found it to be effective. However, businesses should be aware of the potential for loss in productivity. Some employees may not be willing to work from home. Companies should also consider turnover risks. The cost of recruiting new employees can be reduced with a remote workforce.
A key cost for many businesses is electricity. Working from home can help reduce electricity expenses. In addition, telecommuting can help reduce healthcare and travel expenses.
Increased attrition
Whether you’re working from home or in the office, communication is critical. Without it, you can’t prevent increased attrition. However, there are certain things you can do to minimize it.
If you’re an HR manager, consider the following:
Whether you work in the office or from home, it’s important to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Your employees want to feel like they’re in a stable environment. In addition, they want to feel as though they’re working toward a professional goal.
The best way to avoid increased attrition is to make sure you’re offering employees a variety of opportunities. This can include offering remote work. This gives employees the chance to continue to work for you while learning new skills. You can even take advantage of software like RingCentral for video conferencing.
You should also make sure you’re setting boundaries. This allows your employees to avoid overworking. You should also mute emails and notifications after the workday ends. You should also focus on building relationships with your employees.
If you’re a manager, you need to make sure you’re monitoring your employees’ progress. This is especially important if your company has a remote workforce. If you notice that your workers are not communicating as effectively as they should, you might want to consider a different approach.
Lastly, you need to be able to celebrate your employees’ success. If a colleague moves into a better position, you should be happy for him or her.
In addition to preventing increased attrition, working remotely has also helped employees get more done. Remote workers are more consistent and focus better than in-office workers. They also don’t have to worry about commute time.
Increased security
Whether you’re an organization or a remote employee, there are several security tips you can take to ensure you’re safe from cyberthreats. These include using approved tools, protecting yourself from phishing scams and other social engineering tactics, and using a strong security suite.
One of the most common ways to expose your organization to a data security breach is through an unsecured Wi-Fi network. Hackers can use software to break into a network or guess a user’s login combination.
In order to protect your data, you should have a clear and concise guide to follow in the event of an account compromise. This could involve the creation of a centralized internal tech support team or partnerships with local tech support services. You can also require your remote employees to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access the network.
Another security tip is to use a strong password. A password manager can help you remember your passwords. It’s also a good idea to use a standardized security suite on all your devices. It should include antivirus software, a firewall, and other tools that will protect your computer against malware.
If your organization doesn’t have the money to invest in security technology, you can protect your data by setting up an internal tech support team. This will provide you with a central location to reach tech support specialists, as well as the ability to monitor and control your systems.
The best security tip for your organization is to educate your employees on the best ways to protect your data. This includes using the latest software and security solutions. They should also know that data security is a top priority, and that they should be required to secure their laptops for work.