While there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy to building the most productive team for the new age of work, it’s hard to overlook the value of remote working opportunities. According to some studies, around 90% of remote workers say they’re either just as productive or more productive working remotely compared to when they’re in the office.
What’s more, around 84% of remote team members feel working remotely helps to preserve good mental health – to the point many would even take a pay cut to work from home.
However, for companies and individual employees to unlock the benefits of remote work, they need access to the right technology. Specifically, remote teams need software and hardware-focused on boosting the employee experience.
With so many vendors available to provide home-working opportunities this day, it can be difficult to know where you should get started. That’s why we’re here to help.
Step 1: Make a List of Your Home-Working Requirements
Empowering today’s remote workers requires an investment in various pieces of technology. You’ll need networking tools, like SBCs and SD-WAN connectivity, to ensure your team members can securely and efficiently access your communication tools and software wherever they are. You’ll also need to think about things like hardware, software, and specialist services.
To start comparing vendors, you’ll need to think about all the different kinds of tools you’ll need, including:
- Software: Software for remote employees can include everything from as-a-service tools like UCaaS and CCaaS, to integrated software like CRM systems, workforce management tools, and video conferencing apps.
- Hardware: What kind of hardware will your employees need to stay productive wherever they are? Do they need a dedicated desk phone, a mobile device, or just a webcam and headphone set they can plug into their computer?
- Services: Do you need to consider investing in additional services, like service management from companies who can help manage your UCaaS solutions in a flexible environment?
Once you know what your work-from-home strategy requires to empower your teams, ask yourself whether you want a company capable of offering you an all-in-one package or whether you want to mix-and-match solutions from different vendors.
Step 2: Look at Existing Investments
When deciding what kind of vendor, you need to work with for your work-from-home technology, it’s worth looking at the investments you’ve already made into your communication stack. For instance, what kind of software are your employees already comfortable using?
If your team members were already using Microsoft productivity tools before they went remote, or they have a long history with Cisco technology, it makes sense to look at work from home technology from Microsoft or Cisco. The less work your employees need to do to get used to new tools and complete new forms of training, the better your adoption rate will be.
If you want your team members to be able to take the desk phones, webcams, and other devices they’ve used in the office home with them, you’ll also need to ensure any new software you’re investing in will work well with this existing hardware.
Step 3: Focus on Improving Employee Experience
Remote employees and work-from-home staff members won’t have access to the same in-house IT support and guidance most traditional employees expect. With that in mind, it’s particularly important to ensure your vendor will help you to put employee experience first.
