The COVID-19 Pandemic and the economic fallout has created a business environment that’s forced extremely rapid changes on businesses around the world.
Businesses have had to quickly shift operations to a remote workforce, with little to no strategy, planning and process around it. Compounded by the uncertain economic times, many businesses are left unprepared for the challenges and are also unaware of the opportunities in this new paradigm.
Many businesses will not make it through these difficult times. Some may just find their way through. Some, however, will come out with a massive head start against their competition. Those that will explode past competitors will have been smart by cutting expenses, of course, but what they will also have done is have invested in infrastructure, innovated their business models, improved service delivery and reimagined their companies.
Imagine a situation where the entire world was put on pause and you had the opportunity to optimize your business, innovate your business model and prepare for the rebound that’s 100% coming. That’s where we are today. We might be here for a while, but the fact is that the rebound is coming and you’re either skating to where the puck is headed or you’re playing a losing game.
If there is an obvious and in-your-face change that is crystal clear these days it’s that remote work is the new normal.
Remote Work as The New Normal.
Given the social distancing situation, nearly every single business today is having to manage significant change around a remote workforce. For MOST businesses, this is an entirely new mode of operating.
First, here are a few major benefits to a remote workforce:
- Increased Productivity
- Reduced Expenses (Rent, Equipment, Salaries) / Cost Savings
- Larger Talent Pool / Geographic Arbitrage
- Less Commute Time / Less Absenteeism
- 24 Hour Production Hours (If Business Model Supports It)
- Higher Morale
- Forced Automation and Streamlined Operations
It’s not all roses, of course, and here are some of the drawbacks to a remote workforce:
- Employee Isolation
- Decreased Employee Visibility
- Potentially More Difficult Collaboration
- Work / Life Balance May Suffer
- Challenges Developing Company Culture
- Some People are More Suited to Remote Work than Others
With that all said, the benefits of a distributed team to many businesses can be huge. The challenge, however, is in the implementation.
Using ZOOM Does Not Make a Company a “Remote Workforce”
It’s not as simple as giving everyone a laptop and a camera. Here are 6 quick questions that need to be asked and answered:
- What’s the best way to adapt our systems, processes and operations for a remote workforce?
- What do we gain / lose with a remote team?
- Where is the RISK? (Technology, Operations, Security)
- How can we maximize the cost savings?
- How will our service delivery or product quality be impacted? Can it be improved?
- How can we help our employees to be productive, engaged and creative at home?
These are just some points to get you thinking about the new normal. I hope it’s been a helpful read. Stay safe and lead on!
If you’re interested in learning more, Lithyem has developed a FREE Assessment to help you look at your Remote Readiness. It will take 10 minutes, it’s free and it will help you look at your company through the lens of innovation, optimization and a distributed team paradigm.
Visit http://remotereadytoday.com/ to take the FREE Diagnostic and learn how you can optimize and innovate today.
