The business landscape was substantially changed when companies were required to integrate remote working into their existing organisational strategy to meet challenges stemming from the pandemic. Whilst the pandemic wanes, returning to offices full time seems further and further way.
The technology and enterprise-level IT specialists at IntraLAN investigate statistics around employees and discuss what solutions are available for companies to meet the challenges presented by this type of work environment.
Why does remote and hybrid working remain at the forefront of business?
Before the pandemic, less than 5% of the global workforce was working remotely, and now that number is approximately 20 -30%. A November 2020 LinkedIn survey by Hootsuite Founder Ryan Holmes gives us insight into how employees globally feel about the future of working from home.
- 70% of those polled would permanently work from home
- 77% of those polled felt more productive working remotely
- 74% of those polled felt they were more creative outside the office
- 51% answered that “In a perfect world” they’d only like to go into the office once or twice a week
Employee demands are changing, and businesses who want to recruit new talent need to adapt to this changing evolution of the workplace. Hybrid and remote working are no longer considered a perk or rare benefit offered by companies who ‘think outside the box’. Instead, employees expect these to be the standard part of applicable roles (i.e. office-based, desk jobs).
What challenges does remote working present?
Requests for assistance in adopting and adapting technology for remote working has skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic. Implementing and maintaining hybrid and remote working presents unique challenges for businesses. Here are some of the most frequent challenges presented by companies:
Communication and collaboration
Removing the in-person interaction available in offices ultimately presents communication and collaboration issues. Without the proper tools in place, there can be a breakdown, causing detrimental harm to team cohesion and productivity.
Employee Morale
One of the most reported drawbacks of working remotely came from employees who enjoy the social aspect of office-based working. Additionally, managers have less oversight into their teams’ overall morale without face-to-face interaction.
Connected Device Security
Remote and hybrid working brings an ever-increasing network of connected devices. Without proper security protocols, these devices can pose a significant threat to your network infrastructure and data security.
Performance Tracking
Remote working without the proper time tracking tools can present a significant challenge for businesses. How productive are remote employees? What transparency is there around project progression tracking?
Team Management
With employees spread far and wide, face-to-face performance reviews are either few and far between or non-existent. How can managers ensure they provide their teams with the structure and support they need while working remotely?
IT Automation is the Answer
The easiest and most straightforward approach to tackling these remote working challenges is through IT automation. Embracing technology into every aspect of your business will streamline business processes, increasing productivity and efficiency while boosting employee morale.
Communication and Collaboration Tools
There are a wealth of communication and collaboration tools on the market. Tools such as Microsoft Teams provide you with project management software, instantaneous communication through chat and video, and secure file management. Using these tools enables team transparency and accountability. Additionally, with easier access to teammates and line managers, miscommunication and bottlenecking during projects will ultimately decrease – increase employee morale and productivity.
Productivity, Efficiency and Team Management
Performance tracking can be tricky at the best of times. We suggest using project management software such as Microsoft Team’s Planner, Monday.com or Asana to manage projects, assigning tasks to team members and checklist tracking to ensure projects are delivered on time. This also allows managers to manage their customers’ expectations better and address any issues that may arise quickly.
Device Security and Management
There are many ways to approach connected device security. Whether you’re in the office or working remotely, safeguarding your data, preventing vulnerabilities and protecting your business should be at the top of your business agenda. IntraLAN specialises in connected device security and cybersecurity awareness through:
- Remote worker security
- Cyber awareness training
- Device management
- Enterprise mobility and security
- GDPR and compliance management
- Web filtering and email security
Introducing technology into your remote working process doesn’t replace your IT teams. Instead, it provides teams with the ability to work smarter, safer and more accessible from anywhere in the world. Give them the tools to focus on what matters most – efficiently and confidently delivering projects.
IntraLAN can help revolutionise your remote and hybrid working environments. With decades of experience, we can help protect your workforce and data from increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity threats while providing the necessary tools remote teams need to do their jobs efficiently. Contact us today to see how we can help take your business to the next level.