Tip of the Week: How to Find Success With Remote Workers

Thanks to mobile devices and remote access, businesses around the world are freeing their employees from the tethers of their desks and allowing them to work remotely. Some companies have employees that work remotely all of the time, which presents the question of how you keep them connected to the workplace, productive with their time, and part of your business’ culture. This week we’ll go over some tips to help your remote employees be as successful with their time as possible.

Accessible Solutions
Communication technology is important for your in-house workers, but it’s practically essential for your remote workers. Think about the following solutions before you implement any sort of remote work for your business:

• Virtual private networks: If your employees need to access sensitive information while out of the office, a virtual private network is the best way to do it. A VPN provides an encrypted connection to keep prying eyes away.
• Voice over Internet Protocol: A phone system makes communication much easier, but it’s a little messy to have employees use their personal phone numbers while they make calls to clients or contacts. Instead, you can have them use VoIP, a software-based phone system that can be used on desktops, mobile devices, or laptops.
• Remote desktop software: Sometimes you have employees who only work remotely half the time. These employees likely still have computers on-premise, so they can use a remote desktop software to access important data and files on their work computers while out of the office.
• Cloud-based applications: Applications hosted in the cloud are great for employees both in and out of the office, as they can be accessed on any approved device--not just the workplace’s desktops.

Ensure Proper Documentation
Project management is one of the keys to get the most out of your remote workers, as they aren’t always there to witness all developments on a project as they happen. Breakthrough moments happen all the time in the workplace, and the remote worker doesn’t get to witness these or be aware of them as they occur. This makes proper project management incredibly important, as without documenting all of the progress on a project, tasks could be repeated unknowingly and resources might not be available. Smart project management makes it easier to get work done while staying connected to the workplace.

Be Inclusive
Even if they aren’t in your office, you need to remember that remote employees are still a major part of your team. Since you don’t see them every day, it can be easy to forget they exist. Be sure to check up on them once in a while, as remote workers don’t receive the social aspect of the traditional workplace. They’re sure to appreciate the human interaction, and it will help them feel valued by your organization.

k_Street Consulting, LLC can help your business’ remote employees stay connected to your workplace. To learn more, reach out to us at (202) 640-2737.