If you're among the droves of companies launching remote work protocols on short notice and rapid response, I've been compiling tips and helpful articles to help you adapt. Consider not just the set-up for your employees, but the importance of connecting.
For many, work is where normal life happens, and routine is consistent. In the office, relationships and camaraderie stretch beyond department walls and direct co-workers. Remote working removes important aspects of "the village" we depend on when we arrive each morning ready to dig in.
In uncertain times, encouraging the virtual workplace banter and water cooler conversations will be increasingly important, as will leadership with a careful balance of persistence, humanity, and compassion.
Tips for getting set up:
8 Tips To Make Working From Home Work For You - NPR, Yuki Noguchi
Get your technology in order
Make sure you have bandwidth
Remember, the kids are home too
Manage expectations
Know your weaknesses/distractions
Embrace the webcam
Stay connected
Do what you can, discuss when you can't
Resources to help your small business manage through uncertainty- Google for Small Business
Encourage the right set-up
Quiet and distraction free
Comfortable but structured
Stocked with necessities (assemble a kit of essentials)
Reliable internet connection
Reliable devices/tools/apps - Slack, HipChat, Zoom, HighFive
Access to critical information - Google Docs, Dropbox
Tips to living your best quarantined life - Morning Brew
The humorous take on getting set up
Tips for managing & communicating with teams:
Tips for Managing Remote Employees - Highfive
Make sure everyone understands the process & expectations
Create visible productivity - time tracking? Reachability? Group polls for check-in?
Establish boundaries - start/stop schedule, results over hours, disconnect for work/life balance
Avoid pitfalls - switching gears too much, feeling isolated, overloading
Create a virtual water cooler - staying connected face-to-face is important even by video
Connect with occasional one-on-ones
Host a rally event once in a while - Door Dash certificates for lunch orders and lunch together on Zoom
Tips for leadership in uncertain times:
A Few Thoughts for Leaders and Managers - Patrick Lencioni
Be exceedingly human
Be persistent with communication
Be creative
Stretch beyond “business as usual” to encouraging humor and compassion
I hope you find these useful, and encourage you to share any resources you've found helpful as well.
