Is it easier to work remotely instead of going to an office?
With a remote team of 28 people from more than eight countries, I can certainly say that working remotely is incredibly productive. Even though this working setup is quite different from the standard 9–5 desk job, 34% of workers in the U.S. long for the flexibility of working from anywhere. There are also people who have a hard time believing that this type of work can possibly be effective for large corporations. The truth is that the internet has made syncing workflows and communicating between team members quite easy, regardless of where you work.
As Brian de Haaf said on the Aha! blog: “If you have never been a part of an all-remote team, it might seem hard to imagine that any company with 50 or more people could work this way.”
Remote vs. office workers
Out of more than 120 million office workers in the U.S, less than 3% work from home. Many people cannot see how this form of work can actually be productive, but there are in fact many reasons it works.:
- It enhances your creative skills since you get to choose a setting that inspires you. Whether it is working on a patio or in a certain area of the house, you get to pick the most productive spot, unlike some office cubicle that was assigned to you.
- Remote work generally lets you schedule your workday according to your preferences. You can choose to get an extra hour of sleep or hop out for some errands or even simply work at a pace that suits you.
- Travel expenses are dramatically reduced since remote workers don’t have to go to the office every day. Plus, many of us work directly from home.
- Remote workers have fewer distractions from colleagues and office drama. They usually work by themselves, making them more productive.
- Many remote teams are made up of multiple nationalities, creating a multi-cultural atmosphere. With that said, that seems to be the case with many offices of large corporations nowadays.
How can remote teams communicate efficiently?
One of the significant issues that remote teams have to deal with is finding ways to stay in sync. Thankfully, the internet, smart devices, and plenty of online tools make it easier to manage a remote team. Some of my favorite tools and apps that help us stay on the same page include:
Slack — Slack is the go-to app for communicating with individuals and groups, sharing documents, and even having virtual coffee dates with your colleagues.
Trello — Using a common board for the team, we can keep an eye on the progress of our team member’s tasks or share our ideas.
Intercom — Intercom ensures all of our customer support team members around the world are always communicating with each other and our customers.
Podio — Podio works like a task-management platform for each person. It’s also a statistical data analyzer for our company’s progression.
Google Drive — It’s hard to imagine how any team works without one of Google’s best tools for file storage and synchronization.
Must-have remote work gadgets
TP-Link 4K Wi-Fi Range Extender
Featuring three external antennas, this Wi-Fi range extender plugs into an outlet to create a strong connection throughout your house.
Funxim Wireless Apple Charging Mat
Charge your iPhone, iPod, or Apple Watch on this minimalist charging station for full power in no time. With its fast Qi charging capability, your device starts charging the moment you place it on the mat.
Grovemade Cork and Aluminum Desk Tray
Keep your workspace organized with this sleek desk tray. Offering multiple pockets to sort your belongings, this is the solution to maintaining a clutter-free desk.
Physically interact with time using this smart and fun system. With ten different sides, just flip the dodecahedron over to keep track of your current task.
Remote work is gradually becoming recognized in global workspaces. While office jobs have their perks, such as bonding with your colleagues, video calls and team retreats are good substitutions.
