S’NCE Works from Home: How to Create a Productive Remote Work Environment.
What we’ve learned in more than 50 days of remote working and our (unsolicited) advice to those who are consistently working from home for the first time.
Like S’NCE, many companies are adopting remote working practices and technologies at this difficult time to protect the health of their employees. For many of them this is the first substantial work-from-home experience and, however unexpected and prolonged, it necessarily leads them to review their habits, looking to maintain productivity.
After getting through a few weeks “remotely”, we wanted to share a few good practices to make working from home effective and maintain a high level of concentration. Each of us in S’NCE has found their own balance. Here’s how…
1. “Create your own dedicated work area.”
Chiara, Digital Graphic Designer
Find a corner of your home that’s far from distractions (and also from the fridge). I created my workstation in the corner of a spare room at home. On the desk, I have only the bare minimum to maintain focus on the tasks of the day: screen, graphics tablet, paper and pens.
2. “Don’t stop moving.”
Marco, Data Analyst
I can’t leave the house, so I try to keep myself active by starting the day with a home workout and, on my smartwatch, I set periodic reminders to stretch my legs. When I can’t be consistent, I try to do some virtual meetings standing up or, if possible, walking. Although it’s just a little, I feel it is a good thing for my body.
3. “If you have children, take time out with them.”
Valentina, Creative Director
Our children are also going through a difficult time and I think it is important to support them on this journey. However, I think it is vital not to be totally absorbed by their needs. A technique that I’ve put into practice with my two children is to create a series of routines like those of kindergarten and primary school, setting a sort of “school timetable” that defines the various activities of the day: playing, drawing, watching Netflix, reading, etc. They have spontaneously adapted to this new routine, which has allowed me to carve out the time necessary for my work without ignoring their needs.
4. “Differentiate the times of the day with your clothes.”
Federica, Project Manager
I don’t mean to get all dressed up in uncomfortable jeans, shoes and accessories. What I’ve found important in my days working from home is to mark the times when the work starts and when it ends. Getting out of my pyjamas to wear even a simple jumpsuit is a signal I send to my brain to indicate that I’m about to “go to the office”. It may sound silly, but this allows me to get quickly into work mode and be more productive throughout the day.
5. “Take breaks.”
Alessandro, Senior Web Developer
Sitting for hours at the computer can make you feel… atrophied. I try to set break times every two hours or so to move, have a coffee, talk to my wife. On my lunch break or after finishing the workday I try to take my mind off things by taking a walk in the garden while I call some friends on the phone.
6. “Set up moments to socialise.”
Valentina, Social Media Manager
Working from home can be alienating. Luckily I don’t live alone, but there’s no shortage of difficult moments. Even if they’re only quick, I try to carve out slots from the day to chat or call friends and colleagues. The idea is to have a virtual coffee together; we exchange ideas and feelings on how to overcome this difficult situation in the best possible way. There’s only one rule: no talking about work!
7. “Define a schedule for your workday.”
Andrea, Project Manager
With the whole family at home, private and work tasks can overlap and create confusion. I try give them priorities. My wife also works from home: sharing with each other our meetings calendar and our deadlines helps us with the management of the kids. The same principle applies to colleagues and clients: I try to alert them in time and set up an out-of-office notification whenever I have to spend time with my children.
8. “Don’t forget that you’re a part of a team.”
A bonus tip from the whole S’NCE Team
While working at home is beneficial for everyone right now, nothing can replace direct contact. Being aware that, even from a distance, everyone is working towards a common goal will make you feel closer to others and make isolation easier to deal with.
If you manage or are part of a team, organise daily or weekly stand-up calls where each member can explain what they have worked on so far and what they will be working on shortly. Seeing the faces of your colleagues will make you realise that there’s still a person behind a profile picture!
So, don’t be afraid to activate your computer’s camera: it helps to humanise the conversation and give you relevant insights from not-verbal communications and the body language. Insights that you can’t be able to perceive with an only-speaking call.
