I'm remote first. And, I was before the pandemic. I work with on a Macbook with two Asus Zenscreens and my hotspot so I'm ready to be productive anytime, anywhere. My entire office fits in my backpack along with a mobile content studio consisting of mics, mobile cameras, tripods, and lights ready to record or stream on-site. I have fiber internet at home, but I'm looking forward to getting Starlink soon. Then I can take my Starlink internet and my solar-charged, portable power station anywhere.
Most people will jump to silly conclusions that a remote working is about not wanting to work, or being lazy. That mentality couldn't be farther from the truth. And, it couldn't be more outdated.
Many bosses, particularly business owners, keep extremely close tabs on employees because they believe that micromanaging ensures productivity and prevents issues. Many bosses apply unnecessary pressure to meet business targets thinking it will lead to better outcomes. But, this only undermines trust and destroys morale in the workplace. It creates a toxic environment where employees feel undervalued and stressed, leading to higher turnover rates and decreased overall performance.
Some bosses have tried to "go remote" with unsatisfactory results. But why would a leader who hires people to sit at a desk, in company with a desk-sitting mentality, think allowing the same people to work from home would....work? Companies that have a desk-sitting, seat-warming mentality hire for that and lack any and all processes and tools to facilitate remote work. Most importantly, these companies lack any understanding of how to track and measure the productivity of remote teams.
Mobile technology blurred the line between professional and personal life, making it hard to disconnect, particularly if someone truly cares about what they do. Working remotely helps people with flexibility and finding purpose in their work.
For me, it was the product of needs and circumstance. I had young children that required transportation to and from school everyday. As they got older, it became two different schools and multiple after school activities. At one point, I would get up at 6am, cook breakfast and get them ready, drop them at school, drive to the subway station, ride 45 minutes to the burbs, work 6 hours, leave early and ride the train back to get my car, and start the afterschool activities where I'd make dinner and work between and during each activity until late night, long after they went to bed. That was it for me. I had no need to be continue physically working anywhere to do my work.
Advantages of Remote Work
In a world where we are always online, a better work-life balance can lead to higher job satisfaction, lower burnout rates, and stronger commitment to the company and it's work. This leads to greater operational efficiency, improved transparency, and a stronger focus on results rather than just time spent in the office. Let's take a deep dive:
1. Streamlined Internal Processes Through Automation
- Efficiency Boost: Remote-first organizations tend to automate repetitive and mundane tasks. These tools can handle everything from updating project statuses to notifying team members of task completions, thus freeing up employees to focus on more strategic, high-impact work.
- Reduced Human Error: Automation reduces the potential for human error in routine tasks. For example, automated workflows can ensure that reports are generated on schedule, follow-ups are sent without delay, and data is synced across platforms accurately, resulting in smoother operations.
- Optimized Workspaces: Environments tailored to the individual needs or workers leads to higher focus and productivity compared to standardized office settings.
2. Digital Workflows and Project Management Tools
- Centralized Task Management: Platforms like Monday.com, Asana, and Jira allow for the creation of clear, structured workflows. Teams can assign tasks, track progress, set deadlines, and manage dependencies all in one place. This reduces miscommunication and ensures that everyone knows their responsibilities at any given moment.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: These tools are designed to support multiple teams working together across different departments, time zones, or locations. For example, marketing, design, and development teams can all collaborate within the same project without the need for physical meetings, as they have access to the same up-to-date information and project timelines.
- Time-Blocking: Remote workers have the flexibility to work on their own schedule because they retain 24/7 access to the necessary information in the "single source of truth".
3. Clear Documentation and Knowledge Sharing
- Structured Documentation: Remote-first companies prioritize documentation as a means of keeping everyone aligned. Platforms like Confluence, Notion, or Google Workspace provide centralized spaces for creating and storing documents, project plans, decision logs, and more. This ensures that all critical information is easily accessible to team members, even if they are working asynchronously.
- Transparency and Accountability: With clear documentation and recorded processes, there is a higher level of transparency within teams. Everyone has access to the same information, which minimizes misunderstandings and increases accountability. If a project hits a roadblock, the necessary documentation is readily available for troubleshooting, reducing downtime and ensuring that problems are solved quickly.
4. Seamless Communication and Enhanced Collaboration
- Integrated Communication: Remote-first jobs rely on a suite of communication tools that integrate with other platforms. Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom or Google Meet, Trello, Asana, Jira, Miro, for example, can be connected with project management and workflow tools. This creates a seamless communication loop where team members can get real-time updates, collaborate in channels, discuss tasks and stay synchronized.
- Asynchronous Communication: Asynchronous communication removes the need for in-person proximity. Team members can contribute when they are most productive, without being constrained by a physical office's hours or timezone.
- Diverse Perspectives: Remote work facilitates collaboration with people from different regions and cultures, leading to a broader range of ideas and approaches.
5. Improved Process Tracking and Analytics
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Digital tools used in remote-first settings often come with built-in analytics features that provide insights into performance metrics, task completion rates, bottlenecks, and more. Managers can track the progress of projects through dashboards that visualize data in real-time, helping to identify inefficiencies and optimize workflows.
- Real-Time Feedback Loops: With automated tracking of projects and processes, teams can receive real-time feedback on their work. This means quicker adjustments to strategy and execution, minimizing wasted effort and allowing for continuous improvement.
- Better Focus on Outputs vs. Time Spent: Remote work encourages a results-driven mindset, where performance is measured by outcomes rather than the number of hours spent at a desk. This shift allows workers to prioritize what truly matters, leading to better project outcomes.
6. Increased Job Satisfaction and Retention
- Work-Life Balance: Remote workers often enjoy a better work-life balance, which can lead to higher job satisfaction, lower burnout rates, and stronger commitment to the company.
- Access to a Global Talent Pool: Companies that embrace remote work can hire the best talent from around the world, which often leads to higher-quality teams and innovation.
- Less Commuting, More Working: Eliminating the daily commute saves time and reduces stress, allowing workers to focus more on high-value tasks rather than spending time in transit.
- Flexible Schedules: Remote workers often have the flexibility to adjust their schedules to their natural productivity peaks, which can lead to faster project turnarounds and better-quality work.
7. Growth and Scalability
- Effortless Scaling: Digital tools make it easier to scale operations as a company grows. Adding new team members or departments is simplified when everything is documented, automated, and organized in a cloud-based system. Processes can be duplicated, templates can be reused, and onboarding new employees is streamlined thanks to the availability of comprehensive, easy-to-access training materials.
