The Internet is quickly changing the ways in which work gets done. For one thing, there is less and less need to be in a fixed location for eight hours every workday. Employees love having the option to have more flexible work arrangements, and business owners are learning that they benefit, too.
1. Landline Connections Aren’t Enough Anymore
A reliance only on landline connections doesn’t allow your company the flexibility it needs to stay ahead of the competition. Your employees want to be on the go, using their mobile devices, accessing online information, and serving your clients with alacrity and speed. Set them loose and watch your bottom line grow. To give your remote workers all the power they need to do what you’re paying them to do, invest in signal boosters so that they’re never out of range or out of touch.
2. Remote Workers are Happy and Productive
When employees are given the option to work remotely, those who choose to do so report being happier with their jobs. What’s more, a large percentage of those workers report that they get more work done when they’re at home than they do when they’re in the office.
When you think about it, it just makes sense. Workers can sleep later, dress more casually, and feel more comfortable when they’re working from home. They save time and avoid the stress and expense of commuting. And that old bugaboo, work-life balance, becomes less of an issue.
3. The Latest Technology Facilitates Communication
Mobile devices allow your employees to be in continual communication with your clients and vendors as well as your other employees. Smart phones, tablets, and other gear such as watches and glasses are always handy, allowing employees to work faster.
Instant correspondence, whether through call, text, or chat, allows for quick updates and instant exchange of information. Well informed employees can make decisions on the go and respond swiftly to changes.
If you store your data in the cloud, documents and other necessary files can be easily shared—that is, if you invest in a high-speed data connection. Then, too, video conferencing technology makes meetings between internal staff and remote workers quick, simple, and easy, even with little or no advance notice.
Stronger Teams Are a Natural Result of Easier Communication
You might think remote workers feel less connection to their jobs, but just the opposite could happen, especially if you make the effort to include them. Schedule regular one-on-one video meetings with your remote workers. Encourage open lines of communication between them and your in-house employees as well.
Of course, you want to keep tabs on the work they’re doing, but that’s not the only reason for you and the rest of your team to stay in touch with them. Modern technology gives them the means to contribute their spontaneity and creativity to projects they’re involved in—if you encourage it.
Companies Benefit, Too
If it’s not obvious to you by now that your business will benefit from allowing workers more flexibility on the job, check out these compelling reasons:
- Employees demand flex time. You’ll be better able to retain top talent if you give workers working conditions that make their lives better.
- You’ll save money. Employees have been known to take a pay cut of up to 10% for the privilege of working remotely. And that doesn’t even account for the fact that your overhead costs will drop as well.
When you allow your employees who want to work remotely to do so, they will be happier and more productive. You will benefit, too. Bottom line: flexible work arrangements are a win-win proposition for everyone.