COVID-19 has affected the lives and businesses around the world. Tough restrictions on travel, public gatherings and recommendations of social distancing has changed daily routines and how millions of people function and work. At times like this, we are being asked to adapt how we do everything, including keeping our businesses running. So, how do we effectively keep everything up and running while having to work from home?

 

1. Create a schedule

One of the biggest challenges of working from home is dealing with distractions, especially if you have others at home. Try to set yourself a schedule every day – Start the morning with a To-Do list, detailing each task you desire to complete this day, and estimated timeframe. It’s important to remember that just because you’re at home, doesn’t mean you don’t still have work responsibilities.

In addition to this, just as it’s important to start your day right, you need to know when your day is to finish. Over 48 percent of people who work from home work longer hours than those with an office. Be sure your schedule includes knock off time, which may be where you will turn off the computer and go do something completely away from your workspace. It’s all about balance.

 

2. Keep the lines of communication open

While you and your employees are working remotely, it’s important to keep those lines of communication open to one another; even if that means overcommunicating. We recommend setting up morning video chats with your team, or even investing in instant messaging platforms such as Slack or Google Chat to consistently communicate with your team throughout the day. This allows questions to be asked and answered in real time, and for updates to come through over the course of the day.

 

3. Prepare for internet and cloud service disruptions

Preparation is key, and as more people during this time move to working remotely and social distance communication services such as Zoom, Skype and Google Hangouts, there is a high chance that these cloud services will slow down as the network becomes clogged.

If members of your team plan on using their personal internet connection or mobile hotspot, be prepared for disruptions as there is high potential for network difficulties, running out of data, or trouble accessing the documents and services they may need. Migrating to cloud-based services such as G Suite or Microsoft Office 365 can reduce some of this stress, as these products often continue to work while offline, and update once there is an internet connection.

 

4. Invest in reliable, quality technology

As well as good quality WiFi being integral to success of remotely working, there’s often a few other items that can make this transition smoother for you and your employees. Take some consideration into what tools you may need to do your job well. For example, many remote workers invest in noise cancelling earphones, so they are able to work in any environment. This is especially helpful if you’re easily distracted by sounds. Extra items to increase efficiency while remotely working include wireless keyboards and mice, or even a second screen.

 

4. Remote support is your friend

During times like this, your IT team will play a crucial role in setup of computers to ensure efficiency when working remotely. However, chances are that as a small business, hiring a full time IT employee isn’t viable. This is where remote technical support can be a great fit. Remote technical support often has fast response times, with skilled technicians who can get your computer setup quickly, in a cost-effective manner. This can benefit your business in other ways too, such as increased productivity by employees, who are spending less time distracted by IT issues, and focusing on their duties. Remote Access support is typically provided 24/7x365, meaning that if any issue arises, it can be dealt with outside peak business hours if necessary.

 

Times like this can be tough, but it’s important to implement strategies that can help you keep your business up and running and make it through. We genuinely hope you and your team stay safe over the coming weeks. Please contact us via email or 1800 210 310 if we can help your business in any way during this time.