I saw a video on IG where the poster mentioned that her employer allows her to work remotely one day a week, and that is the day when she creates content for her dropshipping business and does everything else.
At this point, one may wonder, is it your day off work or the day you must work from home?
Do you remember a post from last year about double-dipping? Well, instances like these are part of the reasons why some employers remain skeptical about adopting a fully remote work model. They feel that the employees will divert their time to do other non-work related activities, which is not good news for any employer.
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Rather than completely discarding the idea of a part or fully remote work model, managers and entrepreneurs can instead apply technology that would help maximize employee input and boost overall productivity.
1. Time Tracking Software
If your business model is hinged on the number of hours employees put into work; you might want to invest in time-tracking tools to monitor how employees allocate their work hours. Platforms like Toggl, Clockify, or Harvest allow for accurate tracking of project-specific time, helping employers identify potential bottlenecks and allocate resources more efficiently. You can see when an employee clocks in, clock out and know how many hours they have put in for the day. Some can even detect idle time during the clocked-in hours, so you can tell if the employee is clocked in or being productive.
2. Project Management Platforms
If you are process and result-driven, try project management tools such as Asana, Trello, or Jira to monitor task progress. These platforms enable teams to collaborate seamlessly, provide transparency into project timelines, and offer insights into individual contributions to work done. At every point, you can tell who is working on a task and when they are done. At the end of the week, you can also get a summary of completed tasks, ongoing tasks, and yet-to-be-started tasks. If you already have a standard operating procedure, you will know how long it takes to complete every task on average, and you can tell how many work hours the employee has put in.
3. Employee Monitoring Software
If it suits your business, you may Implement employee monitoring software like Time Doctor or Hubstaff to track computer activities. These tools offer features such as screen capture, website usage tracking, and activity logging, providing employers with insights into time spent during work hours.
4. Virtual Communication Platforms
Leverage virtual communication tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to facilitate real-time collaboration. These platforms allow for quick communication, file sharing, and team collaboration, fostering a sense of connectivity even in a remote work environment.
5. Performance Analytics
Integrate performance analytics tools to assess individual and team achievements. Tools like Google Analytics or Salesforce can provide valuable insights into key performance indicators (KPIs), allowing employers to measure progress and identify areas for improvement.
6. Proper Goal Setting and Performance Reviews
Establish clear performance goals and conduct regular performance reviews. You can’t possibly fault people for not delivering on what they have not been tasked to do. Make the expectations realistic and clear during goal setting. Tools like 15Five or Workday can assist in goal tracking, performance assessments, and developing individualized improvement plans.
7. Cybersecurity Measures
If your employees work with sensitive data, then a significant concern about remote work will be how to protect the data. Prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and ensure a secure remote work environment. Implementing virtual private networks (VPNs) and multi-factor authentication enhances security, assuring employers that remote work is conducted in a safe digital space.
In summary, the idea is that instead of entirely ditching the remote work model because of a few challenges, you can look for and adopt the technology that helps solve them. By adopting a thoughtful combination of these monitoring tools and strategies, employers can foster a collaborative and productive remote work environment that benefits the organization and its dispersed workforce.