Mastering the Art of Remote IT Workforce Readiness

What Is a Remote Job?

A remote job enables you to work anywhere in the world. Instead of driving, biking, or taking the train or bus to work, you work from a remote location. A library, home office, bedroom, coffee shop, or park can be the place you choose to work.

Most people prefer working remotely at least part of the week. In 2020, an IBM study found that 75% of people wanted to continue to work remotely part of the time. 54% wanted remote work to be permanent. This is good news for businesses. A remote IT workforce saves money because office rent is either unnecessary and therefore eliminated or reduced due to renting a smaller office for essential employees to visit at certain times of the week. Although common during the current pandemic, remote jobs still require a strategy for employees and managers to stay on track and remain productive at home or at your preferred remote location.

The Rise of Remote Jobs

The Coronavirus pandemic made working remotely a necessity, and many businesses found they needed to manage their employees in a new and different way. It’s a challenge. Even before the current pandemic, working remotely was popular, especially in the IT field. The only necessity was a laptop or computer and the internet. In 2016, about 43% of employees worked remotely part of the time. According to Gallup research, productivity increased 5% by working remotely and saved the business $3,000 per employee. The 2020 workforce is mostly remote, but it’s not always easy for a business to transition to a fully remote workforce. Employees and managers can benefit from following steps that ensure they stay productive and healthy while at work.

The Difficulty in Managing Remote Teams

Creating a successful remote work culture is difficult. Since there are few face-to-face interactions and communication is by email, phone, and video calls, managing remote employees becomes challenging. This is only at first. Once you form a strategy to manage your employees remotely, the process is almost automatic. You’ll know when to schedule a video call and when to check-in on each employee. Learning how to successfully manage teams, such as an IT team, can help reduce stress on the employee and managers. The structure, discipline, and goals will guide the business to become more productive while remote.

Tips for Working Remotely

Distractions, freedom, and a poor schedule are common issues with working remotely. The following tips can help make working from home a breeze.

1. Create a workable work station: A messy desk and even a computer with fifty tabs open can distract you and ruin productivity. Eliminate the inessential. Block sites that may distract you, such as social media sites. A clean desk is a clean mind.
2. Care for your mental and physical health: Good mental and physical health is essential to your work life, just as they are necessary for relationships. Meditation, jogging, yoga, weight lifting—whatever you enjoy, utilize each for not just work-life but your life in general.
3. Keep communication open but precise: Communicate with your team by using precise language. State clearly and succinctly what needs to be said. Be honest when you communicate so nothing is unclear. Always respond to an email as soon as you can so communication and work moves quickly.
4. Own your work: Even though you might be working in your pajamas or sweatpants, take work seriously. Working remotely is an excellent time to take advantage of your surroundings and become the most productive you’ve ever been to. Take advantage of the extra time to earn certifications that’ll help you move up in your career. You can enroll in our IT training journey here at QuickStart.
5. Self-discipline: Total freedom can be deadly. You can choose your hours, wear whatever you want, and work wherever you want. But discipline must be kept in check, especially if working remotely is new to you. Making a schedule will take out any guesswork. You’ll get so used to the schedule that you’ll automatically go straight to work during the times you set.
6. Take breaks: When you create a schedule, make sure you set times for breaks. This will rest your mind before you get back to work. It’ll also reduce stress and help you get more work done. The Pomodoro technique involves working for 25 minutes and resting for 5 minutes. You choose what to follow, but make sure to take breaks.
7. Do not hesitate to reach out for help: Even though everyone in your current business might be far away from each other, it doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help. If something is wrong, fix it. But don’t worry. As Ernest Hemingway said, “Worry never fixes anything.” Seek help whenever you need it.

Tips for Leading Remote Teams to Attain IT Employee Readiness

A manager has one of the more difficult jobs when leading a remote team. They have to create a virtual environment that fosters growth and productivity. There are pros and cons to a remote team, but a manager who follows the next tips will be successful.

1. Daily Scrums: A Scrum breaks the ultimate goal into small pieces that are communicated daily. This helps keep progress in check and makes sure everyone is at the proper pace.
2. Communicate clear project scope: Let everyone understand the current objectives and the reach of the objectives.
3. Communicate attainable goals and required activities: The goals should be stated clearly so everyone knows what activities to work on.
4. Engage with the team: Engagement is important since employees might forget a necessary detail. Engagements through emails and video calls will help you ensure every employee is on track.
5. Take an hour a week to solve problems, discuss workflow, and appreciate achievements: Giving credit to employees for their success will help motivate them to be even more productive. Take an hour to solve current issues and discuss what needs to be done. This is yet another way to remain productive while remote.
6. Be the leader, no the boss: No one likes a pushy boss. A great leader doesn’t need to manage employees in a strict manner, as employees will follow their lead.

Master IT Workforce Readiness

Both employees and managers can take advantage of this unique time by using it wisely. The time to travel to and from work is eliminated, which gives us free time to do as we like—whether it’s working, relaxing, or earning a certification. If you’d like to move up in your career, start a 30 days FREE trial with QuickStart.