Working Remotely in Large Organization

As work practices transform and the culture shifts to accommodate modern workers, remote work has emerged as the best solution.

Large and mature businesses all over the world are making the changes necessary to empower employees for remote work, helping their businesses stay competitive in the world economy. In the United States, the number of employees who work remotely has grown exponentially.

In an increasingly global economy, employees who work remotely are an essential part of success. If companies want to attract and retain top talent, they need to take advantage of technology, flexible work options, and a more remote work culture. When remote work is properly integrated into a business’s workflow the results will be beneficial for remote employees, and to the company as well (How KanBo help organizations for remote work is here).

In this article, we’ll dive into why it’s such a great idea for large companies to incorporate remote work into their workflow, and we’ll detail how companies can make the transition into a more remote work culture using KanBo software.

Is working remotely a good idea?

The popularity of remote work has been growing exponentially in the current decade. While there are many reasons for this big change, the main ones include millennials’ work habits, the advancement of technology, and a shift in work culture. Work is no longer about how much time you spend at the office. In the 21st century, work has taken on new meaning, creating a cultural shift that is here to last. While working from home is not without challenges, it is certainly what the future of work may look like. For growth-focused organizations that look ahead, creating a remote work culture is a really good idea. Having the tools and framework for remote work will enable organizations to overcome geographical barriers, deal with unprecedented situations, and retain an edge in this rapidly evolving world.

Why is working remotely important?

Beyond the many benefits of remote work, there are some reasons why every organization should consider empowering their workforce to perform work anywhere and everywhere they desire. Not only does remote work equip your workforce with the ultimate flexibility, but it also gives your organization a solid backup plan in case of unprecedented situations. Many situations can restrict your employees from coming to the office. In case of extreme situations like pandemics, natural disasters, and more, you can ensure business continuity with the remote work culture. Remote work is also closely tied to employee satisfaction, especially when it comes to the younger workforce. As millennials and Gen Z enter the job market, they are more likely to prefer a more flexible approach to work than their predecessors. The goal is to create an inclusive and evolving workspace that can keep up with new trends and make your business stand out.

What are the pros and cons of working remotely in a large organization?

PROS

• Boosts overall productivity.
• Provides Flexibility in hours and work
• Saves Time and Money for commute and business travel
• Unlocks new opportunities to connect with a larger talent pool.
• Increases job satisfaction and employee engagement.
• Allows employees to form their own work-life balance.
• Gives your organization a competitive advantage.
• Ensures business continuity in unforeseen situations.
• Expands the bottom line.
• Boosts employee performance

CONS

• Effective collaboration becomes a challenge.
• Employees may feel disconnected from the team.
• Concerns regarding cybersecurity and data breaches.

How can employees stay productive while working remotely?

Fix Work Hours

Fix some hours when you will be at work. These hours don’t necessarily have to be from 9 to 5. They can be according to your schedule and a time that works for your team. Just ensure that you are fully focused during these hours to perform some focused work.

Form an Office Space

Even if you don’t have a home office, it is important to designate an office space in your home. It could be a small desk area or nook that is away from all the noise and distractions. Creating this line between your workspace and living space is essential for doing productive work.

Get some Fresh Air

Working at home all day can harm your health and mental wellbeing. It is necessary to go out for some fresh air and exercise daily so you don’t get completely disconnected from the world outside.

Create To-Do Lists

Create to-do lists every morning and include tasks that you need to accomplish on that particular day. Plan how you will meet your goals for the day and act on it.

Create a Work-Life Balance

Working at home doesn’t mean you should always be on call. Once you’ve fixed your work hours, don’t log in for more than that on a daily basis. It is important to retain some boundaries for a happy and healthy life.

Does working remotely increase productivity?

Many studies have shown the impact of remote work on employee productivity. This is even more apparent when you see that most millennials are freelancers. Since modern workers are already used to working remotely on freelance assignments, traditional roles can often feel too constricting. When given the opportunity to work remotely, many employees tend to perform better, get work done on their terms, and take fewer off days.

Here are some reasons why working remotely increases productivity:

• Remote work allows teams to perform better.
• Remote teams are known for taking fewer sick leaves.
• Remote teams are shown to log in more hours than in-house teams.
• Remote employees are more engaged.
• Remote employees are seen to be more loyal and have a better work ethic.
• Remote employees get to do work on their terms, making them happier and healthier.

Why companies should let employees work remotely?

There is no doubt that remote work is great for employees and boosts productivity. However, the benefits of remote work do not stop there. For large organizations, remote work can result in major savings and organizational gains. According to a study conducted by Cisco, the company saves $277 million per year by cutting down on work trips. Not only does remote work eliminate the need for commute and unnecessary travel, but it can also help companies cut back on real estate costs. This includes the cost of rent, utilities, supplies, maintenance, and more. All this adds up and can result in large savings that can expand your bottom line. Companies need to think ahead with one step in the future and reap the benefits of remote work to the fullest.

How do you working remotely in the workplace using KanBo?

KanBo is a digital workplace that makes remote work easier than ever before. Here are some exciting features of KanBo that are perfect for your remote working needs:

Notifications in real-time

KanBo’s notification system is created to give businesses the perfect balance of flexibility and productivity. Here are some useful features of KanBo’s notifications:

• Work Out Loud – KanBo creates detailed streams based on users’ actions, allowing team members to stay updated without any distractions.
• Go Beyond Locations and Time Zones – KanBo provides notifications in real-time across all devices to ensure that everyone is synchronized despite their location or time zone.
• Follow what Matters – Instead of bombarding you with notifications, KanBo gives you full control over which contexts are important to you.

Detail Levels in Streams

Each KanBo board and card contains an activity stream that highlights the entire history of work related to it. The stream can sometimes be a lot to take in so KanBo introduces a personalized view that users can change according to their own preferences. Here are some predefined filters that KanBo includes:

• Get only comments
• Show the most important activities like user assignments or status changes
• See the complete stream with full details.

KanBo Block-ups

Small delays can often add up to cause massive setbacks. KanBo minimizes delays and increases synchronicity with a feature known as KanBo Block-ups. If someone else is delaying your work, you can easily mark the card as blocked. KanBo informs the relevant parties to ensure a quick resolution. You can also view all the cards that are blocked because of you. Once the block-up is resolved, followers of the card receive notifications. KanBo even includes a block-up resolution chart to map how much time it took to resolve the block-up.

User Activity Stream

KanBo makes it easier to collaborate and coordinate in a remote working space with its user activity stream. The stream makes work more transparent and allows you to see what everyone is working on. The stream also documents your work thoroughly to boost traceability, eliminating the need to go through scattered emails to make sense of work contexts.

Conclusion

The 21st century is marked by a significant change in the way traditional employees work. Businesses are now looking for new ways to make work more convenient, engaging, and flexible while retaining productivity. Remote work practices are the best way to give employees the freedom to work how they want while ensuring organizational growth and competitiveness.