Studies by Global Workplace Analytics tell us that Fortune 1000 companies worldwide are entirely revamping their space because they realize employees are already mobile. Studies show employees are not at their desk up to 60 percent of the time. While some companies embrace it, others are not accepting remote work at all while others are doing it piecemeal and leaving it up to managers to decide whether to allow employees to work remotely.
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More companies need to get on board with telework. Eighty to 90 percent of the U.S. workforce is interested in teleworking at least part time, according to Global Workplace Analytics. This is not only a demand among younger workers — seasoned employees are seeking to work from home two or three days a week. Often when we read about companies’ attitudes toward remote work, it’s negative. However, there is a key opportunity within remote work that many companies are missing out on.
Leverage the location. Here are ways you can capitalize on the workers’ locations to bring more value to your business.
Events. Utilize sites like Eventbrite and relevant professional associations to identify marketing opportunities for your remote staff. Think broadly. Even if the person is a technical team member, there may be applicable conferences or workshops within or outside of their area of expertise where they can gain contacts and exposure for the firm. Not only could this immediately help your business, but by allowing staff to reach beyond their normal duties, you’re building their capabilities which ultimately contributes more to your team.
Professional development. Events and programs in the employee’s local area may offer professional development opportunities. Associations, universities and groups like Toastmasters are just a few of the forums employees can engage in to develop their skills. Not only does this help the employee to stay motivated, it helps your staff develop skills that you may lack or need more of on your team.
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Access to partners. Consider strategic partners that may be an asset to your business. Do you have existing partners in the employee’s area, or do you want to establish new partnerships? This task can be assigned to the remote worker.
Access to clients. The same is true for current or prospective clients. Can the remote worker help to maintain or strengthen existing client relationships by virtue of their location? Can they be assigned to develop new business contacts in their local area? Remember that technology cannot replace face-to-face interaction, and you can save on hefty business travel costs.
Public relations. If your company is looking to gain exposure within new markets, look no further than where your remote employees work. Your media department can focus their outreach on those locations. Having one person or multiple people working in a specific place will give the story more weight, enabling you to expand the company’s reach.
[See: The 25 Best Jobs of 2017.]
As you maximize your resources, don’t forget to recognize the employees’ contributions in regular check-ins and annual reviews. Their goals and assessments should incorporate any locally based activities to which they’ve been assigned. As a manager, you also need to ensure that they are integrated into your team and company culture. Here are some ways to do that:
Use technology. Chat apps are a quick and easy way to get simple questions answered. However, you should set boundaries with your entire team, such as “no messaging after 7 p.m.”
Hold short meetings. Implement weekly “stand up” short meetings via webcam. This should be a quick team meeting covering current projects, what’s to come, questions and who needs what. It’s a great way to get everyone on the same page and make sure everyone is included in the larger plan.
Show appreciation. There are many small ways to express gratitude to employees for their work, yet the majority of managers fail to do so. A simple individual thank-you email or text for any job well done or at the end of the week will go a long way toward motivating staff. If you receive positive feedback on an employee’s performance from a client, share it with the employee. Send lunch to everyone on your team and conduct a working lunch one day a month for your regular team meeting.
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Maximize Remote Workers’ Location originally appeared on usnews.com
