4 Work from Home Tips from an Experienced Digital Firm
Recent developments have changed the way we socialize, shop, and even work. Organizations are sending many employees home to work, in efforts to combat the pandemic. If you’ve never worked from home before, the transition can be challenging, and even a little shocking. Having a solid work from home strategy can help you maintain productivity and keep morale up.
Our team at Becker Digital has been working remotely for over five years. I guess you could say we were early adopters of remote work opportunities. Our decision to work remotely pre-pandemic was twofold: 1) We wanted to create a work environment that was more inclusive to those with disabilities and/or caregiving responsibilities, and 2) Working remotely allowed us to lower overhead costs - savings that were passed along to our organizational clients. While there was a period of trial and error, making the shift to work remotely has been incredibly beneficial to both our team and our clients. Thanks to our remote working environment, we are able to remain agile and consistent during times of crisis.
Here are a few work from home strategies that we learned along the way:
Don’t just rely on email to communicate.
Phone calls and video conferencing are good ways to connect with team members. Sifting through a lot of emails can be time-consuming and open the door to miscommunication, especially when it's the only way a team is communicating. Integrate phone calls and video chats into your communication channels. These methods of communication can help boost morale, develop friendships, and encourage two-way communication and feedback from your team members.
Have a set work schedule.
Just like working in a traditional office setting, remote workers should stick to a work schedule as it helps to have a routine and keep things organized. When developing your work schedule, be sure to incorporate multiple work breaks throughout the day. Set an alarm to remind yourself to take a step back, walk outside, water your flowers, play with your dog, stretch, etc.
If you’re working from home, designate a work area in your house.
Kitchen tables typically aren’t the best place to work. Find a quiet room or a corner in your house that can be converted to a work-only space. Rooms with doors that can be closed to limit household noise can help prevent distractions. Additionally, having a designated workspace in your home can help you “check out” mentally when the workday is done.
Use remote working tools to stay on task and enhance collaboration.
Fortunate for digital firms like ours, there are a variety of remote working tools available to improve collaborative workflow. A few remote working tools that we have found useful are Trello for project management, Zoom for video conferencing, and Slack for team communication. Consider trying a few remote working tools out to identify which one(s) work best for your team.
Learn more about remote opportunities to grow your organization:
If your organization is looking for a creative partner to provide consulting services, Becker Digital is always ready to help. Our team of experienced professionals is available for projects large and small. We work to customize our services to the client’s needs. Plus, we’re pros at working remotely and can help your organization adapt to the changing times. Contact us to schedule a complimentary call and learn more about how digital strategy can enhance your organization’s mission.