Remote work facilitates professionals or employees to undertake their work duties in environments outside the traditional office setting. This option for working remotely is usually practiced by professionals who are unable to access their office settings or out of choice generally prefer working remotely.
The main principle of remote working is that work does not require physical commuting or traveling to a central workspace or office. As long as one has access to a computer and stable internet connection, they can work remotely.
Working from home is one of the advantages of living in cities. Working remotely is being explored by various companies all over the world.
CAN WORKING REMOTELY BE ADVOCATED?
Yes, Absolutely! Studies have shown that a fully remote team with flexible hours, positively led to every member of that focusing more on their work whenever and however they choose to. Resulting in the following:
- Greater productivity – 77% of remote workers have reported a growth in their productivity since they dealt with fewer distractions.
- In the last few years, companies have increased the number of remote workers thus proving that companies have recorded higher or more positive results from their remote workers.
- The flexibility of remote work offers Millenials, companies that offer some form of remote work have a hiring advantage for top talent.
- The reduction in the number of time employees spend on a stressful and unpleasant commute is a definite benefit for employees and consequently offers a boost to business.
- Gives employees more autonomy over their work. Their ability to either work from home or off-site and in the manner that suits them.
- It lowers the operational costs of the corporation. As we can all attest renting office space is quite expensive. So by facilitating employees to work remotely, corporations and businesses can, therefore, reduce the costs they incur for renting premises.
- Better use of technology. It would be an impossibility for employees to work remotely in the absence of the fantastic technology that is available today. Technology has been the key enabler of mobility with fast Wi-Fi connections, smartphones, cloud computing, instant messaging, project management software and VoIP allowing colleagues to communicate and collaborate simultaneously.
20 REMOTE WORKING TOOLS YOU SHOULD NOT IGNORE.
- Proofread
Allows team members to have seamless interactions with fellow teammates and clients. Proofhub offers the following features: Online proofing, discussions, chat to share feedback and remote project management from a central place.
- BaseCamp
This software offers simple functionality, elegant usability and clean design. It offers features and tools for sharing ideas, organizing conversations and keeping everyone at par throughout the entire project.
- Instagantt
This software helps employees to visually plan, control and schedule projects. Instagantt is more than a Gantt chart creator, it is a super intuitive and beautifully built software that allows one to develop an accurate illustration of projects.
- Troop Messenger
This is a compact remote tool for small, medium and large enterprises. It offers high functionality, low-complexity tool that addresses various domain specificities. Team members can interact via instant messaging, audio and video-calling, location and file sharing, and by creating unlimited groups on the go.
- Slack
This is a messaging remote work tool. It is a digital space that facilitates communication among teammates, allowing them to share comments in real-time, allowing everything to move swiftly.
- Google Drive
This is a cloud storage platform that allows corporations and their employees to keep all their files in one secure and centralized location. Remote workers can store and share documents and can also be used for weekly reports, metrics can be synced across devices allowing viewing and updating of documents or files from anywhere.
- Dropbox
This cloud system works well for ease in syncing, sharing and collaboration of large files or documents that can not be sent via email.
- Krisp
Is a noise-canceling app that aids remote workers to be more productive by removing background noise on both sides of a call. All call participants can take important calls from anywhere. This software can be used with any communication app (Zoom, Skype, Slack etc). Therefore resulting in more productive remote meetings.
- Todoist
This software features include tasks, subtasks, project creation, add notes and upload files, set reminders, flags, and productivity charts.
- Chimp or Champ
This is an anonymous weekly employee happiness meter for checking the team.
- Teamwork
This software tracks the team’s productivity on an hourly basis.
- Hub Staff
This software keeps track on where employees are spending their time and what particular tasks they are working on at any given time.
- Appear. In
This software allows teams working remotely to stay productive with easy video collaboration. Main features are:
● NO registration
● Group video conversations
● Simple screen sharing
● Join from any device
- Zoom
This is a group calling app with amazing video quality. It is easy to use and very affordable.
- Evernote
This software allows teammates to keep all their notes organized, automatically synced across all devices. Evernote serves as a notetaker, PDA, to-do list and pocket notebook.
- Time Doctor
This software keeps track of the team’s time by tracking how each team member is keeping track of their time, thus making them more accountable.
- Timezone.io
This application helps remote workers around the world manage their work and personal life.
- Wooboard
This software recognizes an employee for their good work. As an employer, you can create reward programs for sending and receiving unlimited recognition.
- World Time Buddy
Is a time converter software tool for distributed teams. It is a convenient world clock and online meeting scheduler.
- iDone
This is an application that allows managers to keep an eye on the bigger picture daily. Team members are required to just check in daily from their browser or via email.
CONCLUSION
US corporations have recently been forced by the COVID-19 pandemic to adopt the culture of remote work. By considering the advantages and tools listed above, corporations can therefore effectively manage the productivity output of their employees regardless of where they are located.
The bottom line is that employees working remotely are in a position to execute their projects and even surpass their goals from wherever they please.
