Why Work Remote?

Well everyone, looks like remote work is here to stay. The Covid health crisis continues in many countries globally, and even though some quarantines have technically lifted, more and more businesses are choosing to maintain home office arrangements until further notice.

This can be tough for office managers and leaders. Particularly if your team thrives off its office culture. As timelines become hazier and burnout sets in, struggles with time management, poor communication, technology problems, and home distractions may become apparent (if they haven’t already).

The good news is that remote work is not a new concept. Many successful companies, like Buffer and Doist, have been operating remotely for years. In fact, remote work has proven to be even more successful than traditional offices, when done well.

Productivity and Profitability.

According to Forbes, remote workers are around 35–40% more productive than those working in offices. The autonomy of working independently also shows that remote workers produce results with 40% fewer quality defects. Remote work promotes higher engagement, better retention of employees, and less absenteeism.

One of the best-proven benefits of remote work is the financial advantages it has for companies and businesses. Remote businesses are approximately 21% more profitable than office-based organizations, due to a combination of reduced marginal and overhead costs, as well as more productive teams.

Even before the coronavirus outbreak, the “remote revolution” resulted in many businesses transitioning to remote work to reach their objectives and increase profitability. While the pandemic is having an unprecedented toll on many workers’ lives, shifting to remote work doesn’t need to be stressful or scary.

In fact, with all of the proven benefits of remote work and the digital tools we have access to, there isn’t a better time to make this transition. Last year, Forbes predicted that 50% of the US workforce will soon be remote. This shift is being accelerated by the need to quarantine.

A Happier Workforce.

Why are remote workers more productive? It might be because they’re happier. Both employers and employees have greater flexibility in remote setups. Greater autonomy and flexibility usually means a happier workforce.

Nine out of 10 remote workers surveyed in 2019 plan to work remotely for the rest of their careers. Remote work also means that you are including talent from people who may have been previously excluded from the workforce. This includes stay-at-home parents, differently-abled folks, or nomads.

Expanded Talent.

Recruiting staff remotely means that companies are no longer limited to geographical space. Instead, you are able to hire a team of the best qualified remote workers from across the world.

To find applicants who are best suited for the job, it comes down to how you recruit.

Your ideal candidate is not only qualified for the position but also suited to and competent working in a remote environment. Some of the qualities you want in an employee working remotely are good communication and organizational skills, great time-management, accountability, and someone who is collaborative.

How to find the perfect remote team.

Finding the right candidates comes down to your hiring process.

You not only want to make sure the job description is fine-tuned and specific but that you are sourcing in the right places. The best talent is usually not going to be found on traditional job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn. Instead, it’s a good idea to recruit through specific job boards that target remote workers in your field, such as Upwork, Fiverr, Hubstaff Talent, and more.

Once potential candidates have been identified, the next step is determining whether they are suited for the remote role. This comes down to introducing these candidates to your remote work culture and using job-specific skill tests or assessments to assess whether they are a good fit for the position.

Of course, the exact recruitment process will depend on your company and the job position.

Here at Remotely, we can help streamline this process.

Hiring and managing a remote team is not the same as working with on-site employees. But with the right recruitment strategies, you have the potential to boost the overall profitability of your business and lead a team of employees who are both happier and more productive.

Whether you are looking to recruit, onboard, or train your remote team — Remotely is here to help!