18 Experts Share Tips for Businesses Switching to Remote Work

The world is going through a lot right now, with the current outbreak of the coronavirus. Lots of things changed in recent weeks, and most prominently, a lot of companies switched to working remotely. While remote work is far from a novelty, many companies are now giving it a go for the first time just now.

To help out everyone who is dipping their toes in remote working, we’ve gathered a few remote work experts to provide their insights and answer one question:

What is your best piece of advice for companies who are just starting with remote work?

Here are their thoughts.

18 Experts share tips for businesses switching to remote work

DMYTRO OKUNYEV — Founder of Chanty

” It’s essential that you promote a healthy lifestyle, as difficult as that may be. You should be setting time to exercise for all your team members to keep them in shape. There are plenty of benefits to exercising, including improving your overall health.
If you want your team to feel good and perform well, you need them to be healthy and rested so that they can work effectively.
I like to lead by example, so I work out every morning. “

ADAM HEMPENSTALL — CEO and Owner, Better Proposals

” Focus on goals rather than time spent working. The great thing about remote work is that you don’t need to work 8 hours per day.
Instead, give each of your employees a goal and make sure they stick to their outcome. As long as the goal is completed, their work is done for the day. “

MAKSYM BABYCH — CEO at SpdLoad

” The more structured and transparent your processes are, the more rapid your growth is.
It is a huge business advantage to have processes that help your team members hit their goals without undue control. “

MELANIE AMINI — Marketing Director at ScholarshipOwl

” Other than the internet and tech support, it is the most important to have firm, written boundaries for working hours.
Before the WFH life begins, you must set the number of hours they must be online and rules/best practices to follow, but you must also trust your employees.”

KEVIN INDIG — VP SEO & Content at G2.com and Founder of kevin-indig.com

” Do a virtual standup. My teams and I share our top 3 tasks for the day to create alignment and connect. It doesn’t have to be a video call and it doesn’t have to be that long. Just a quick update.
The cool part is that this helps you to focus on what success looks like. It’s not just for others but also yourself. “

KENNY TRINH — CEO of Netbooknews

” Nothing is more important to remote team communication than the team’s digital inbox. Without the ability to have organic, in-person interactions, employees can easily fall victim to “out of sight, out of mind.”
Thus, it’s critical to create a tech stack that provides multiple avenues for communication. “

SHAWN BREYER — Owner of Atlanta House Buyers

” Each week, a full team meeting should be held to review the KPIs of each member.
It makes them feel like they are accountable and they see how other team members should be performing. If there are people who aren’t getting results, the team needs to discuss if it is goal, team or resources related.
When that person or the team finds if the trend is that no one ever meets their goals, the leadership needs to determine if people are lacking training and resources or if they are not a good fit for the team.“

DARREN VIRASSAMMY — Co-Founder and COO, 34 Strong

” Make sure to have your 1-1s with each team member. Use this disruption as a chance to pause, evaluate what really matters, and grow as a manager. Each shift has to get the team focused on what’s still strong.
There’s an opportunity to realign the team’s work with core values. It’s a chance to strengthen the rhythm for completing work and keeping team members engaged during these unprecedented times. “

CATHY DECKER — Co-founder and Principal Decker/Royal

” Don’t micro-manage, don’t call unexpectedly to time how long it takes to answer the phone, and don’t plan unnecessary meetings. Hold your team members accountable to their deliverables, and then allow them to do their jobs. “

ANH TRINH — Managing Editor, GeekWithLaptop

” Ask an experienced co-worker to show the ropes to the rest of the team. Having someone who knows the ins and outs of the remote work environment can quickly instruct members on how to work properly and productively within a week or so is a great way to get started. “

BRET BONNET — Co-Founder/President, Quality Logo Products

” Be ready to work twice as hard. Make as many team projects as possible, even if they don’t have to be. The more opportunities to work together, the less likely team members are to feel disconnected and the more productive they’ll be! “

MONICA EATON-CARDONE — Co-Founder and COO, Chargebacks911

” Make sure that any individual working from home feels supported. It’s important to remember that even though your employees are not physically in the office, the communication line ought to remain open. “

KATARZYNA IWANICH — Co-Founder, Insightland

” Keep a written agenda such as online schedule with a list of online meetings and tasks for specific days. It helps to plan your job and be efficient in time management.
At the same time, if the team gets stuck with some part of the process, working with deadlines gets easier. “

MARK WEBSTER — Co-Founder, Authority Hacker

” The first thing to do is to get everyone aligned to a strict “communication time.” The thing is, distractions are normal at home.
It’s important to synchronize and have a non-stop 8–10 AM slot every day (or week, whatever suits your team) for the team to be online, available and present for anything that occurs on a day to day basis. “

BEN TAYLOR — Founder, Home Working Club

” My main piece of advice is to trust your team and don’t introduce rules for the sake of it. If you’ve recruited and managed people well, trust shouldn’t be an issue.
Some excuses are generated reasons for things like enforcing instant logins or using screen monitoring software. DON’T DO THESE THINGS.”

ANGELA PEACOCK — CEO, PDT Global

” Recognize that the fears of your employees may not be the same as yours. While you are worried about productivity and how to keep your business alive through this strange time, some of your staff might be worried their children won’t get into school shot during the next year. Others among them may also be anxious about whether the technology is going to let them down and they won’t be able to work. “

JARRED KESSLER — CEO and Founder, EasyKnock

” Use the time to exercise your brain and your health. It’s a huge stress reliever and keeps your immune system boosted.
Go outside if you live alone and pick up the phone if you live with others. If you interact with a loved one once a week at a minimum, you keep your brain more alive than ever. Ask them how they are doing live.”

TAPAN PATEL — Co-founder, Third Rock Techno

” For a smooth transition to a culture of remote working, facilitate time communication. Ensure that your team is equipped with a proper computer and high-speed internet at home.
Help them get all the resources they need to collaborate with each other efficiently. Clearly explain to the team the processes that you plan to follow while everyone is working remotely. “

Conclusion

If you and your company are new to remote work, don’t get scared away by the few challenges it has. Instead, focus on the many positives and you will see that you and your company can be just as productive when working remotely, if not even more. If you have any tips besides the one shared above, please share them with us in the comments to this post.