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The workplace looks very different today than it did 20 years ago. Improvements in technology have allowed hundreds of thousands of people around the world to access their work from anywhere. Remote and hybrid work were on the rise until the Covid-19 pandemic forced employers to aggressively seek alternatives to in-office work. Although the pandemic is largely behind us, most employees want to keep working this manner because of the advantages of schedule flexibility and higher work-life balance — especially for service corporations. In a survey 65% of all employees in the USA wants to have the option of working remotely, full-time or in a hybrid system.
As more and more businesses in the skilled services industry move from traditional office environments to virtual workplaces, there are many advantages for business owners who select to work remotely, including access to a broader talent pool, reduced overhead and operating costs, and increased worker satisfaction and productivity.
While there are many advantages to transitioning to a distant or hybrid model, it is not without its challenges. As a business owner, it is vital to understand the obstacles it’s possible you’ll face along the way and how to mitigate them as you lead your team into the future.
1. Creativity and innovation
For service businesses, creativity and innovation are often the lifeblood of an organization. That will be difficult when you’ll be able to’t get your team together to brainstorm ideas in a traditional, in-person space.
One of the best ways to mitigate this is to make sure your team has access to technology platforms that support a highly interactive and collaborative environment. For example, tools like Miro act as a virtual whiteboard where your team can collaborate in real time.
2. Communication barriers
People rely on a big selection of social and nonverbal cues when communicating. Communicating in a virtual environment can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations, which may ultimately impact a team’s ability to coordinate and successfully complete projects.
The best way to address this is to establish clear protocols and communication norms for your team. For example, if you’re used to your team dropping by your office with questions and concerns, you can arrange phone calls during office hours twice a week so team members can “drop in.” You may need to establish more frequent check-ins or team meetings to make sure everyone is on the same page.
3. Team cohesion and culture
One of the foremost advantages of working in a workplace is building a strong, cohesive culture across the organization. This is much harder in a distant environment, where team members are more isolated and may feel disconnected from each other. Business owners might have to prioritize hosting regular social events, team-building activities, and celebrations to recognize achievements and milestones to foster a sense of community. These activities will be done virtually, or it’s possible you’ll opt for occasional in-person meetings.
Adjusting to a distant work environment will be difficult for many employees as the lines between work and home develop into blurred. This can make it difficult for employees to disconnect from work, potentially leading to burnout or a drop in productivity. Expecting employees to be available 24/7 just because they’re all the time in a home office is a recipe for disaster. It’s vital to establish a culture early on that features flexible work schedules, regular vacation time, and attention to evening and weekend breaks.
4. Performance management and accountability
Managing team performance in a distant environment will be difficult without the right tools and processes. Technology, corresponding to project management and performance tracking tools, may help. It’s vital to fastidiously balance performance management without becoming a micromanager. Set clear and measurable goals for each team member. Having a results-based work environment is much easier to manage without having to continually check in on how team members are spending their time each day.
5. Customer Relationship Management
Face-to-face interactions with customers are a wonderful means to build trust and rapport. In a distant environment, building and maintaining relationships will be difficult, especially with latest customers. To fill this gap, corporations might have to offer frequent progress reports in a videoconferencing format. This provides an “in-person” option while allowing your team to be geographically dispersed.
6. Technology availability
Technology is a key element when it comes to transitioning a skilled services firm to a distant environment. It is vital for business owners to be sure that every team member has access to the same quality of technology and web connectivity. Resources corresponding to IT support must also be available if any team member runs into problems, as technical issues can disrupt productivity and collaboration.
Remote and hybrid work are here to stay. Service corporations that buck the trend are more likely to attract the right talent and keep operating costs low enough to remain competitive. While it’s possible you’ll expect bumps in the road, embracing distant work is key to building and growing a dynamic company that may navigate the many challenges an ever-changing future brings to the business world.