Mar 18th 2020
Savvy tools to become a remote working whizz
A third of Europe’s fastest-growing tech firms are in the UK. It’s given birth to an entrepreneurial spirit that, according to our research, over 25% of SME and startup businesses owners value as a top soft skill to have.
Alongside entrepreneurialism comes a strong remote working culture. In fact, more than 1.54 million people in the UK work remotely. And it won’t stop there.
Whether you’re an established business or looking to start your own company, the idea of working remotely does have a certain appeal to it. The morning commute from bed to kitchen table… effortless.
But to keep motivation high, it’s important to know the tricks of the trade when it comes to remote working – and the tools to help you nail them.
Remote work tips
Socialising virtually
There are endless tools that turn virtual communication into our own kind of reality. A platform called donut randomly pairs team members to have a catch-up. It’s even so savvy that you can integrate it with Slack and video call each other from there. So grab a cuppa or a snack and take 15 minutes to chat about nothing in particular with a coworker. It will keep a sense of connectivity in your team and stop you from going stir crazy.
Know your own rhythm
The line between work and home can become blurred when you’re working from the comfort of your own home. But you have the freedom to work when it suits you best. Evernote has created a Circadian Rhythm Tracker that you can use to identify your prime working time. By focusing on this internal clock and working with your own rhythms, you can knock the ball out of the park on a daily basis – nailing remote working as a skill.
Keep up the good work
Just because you are working remotely does not mean day-to-day routines need to disappear. Have a team to manage? Look no further. Asana is a team productivity tool where you can keep all projects and tasks in one spot so no one is left in the dark. Need to hire someone? Simple. Use a video-enhanced platform to find, interview and hire someone all in one place. Have a look at this awesome platform called Tempo and see for yourself.
Communication is key
Living in the 21st century, it’s not like we’re struggling with means to communicate (we bet you have both your phone, email and Slack open right now). Working remotely, it’s important to feel that real connection with your team and there is no better way to do so than via video calling. Why send a hundred messages when you can drop them a quick call? By using tools such as Zoom or Google Hangouts, you can break through the barrier of isolation. And it’s just that much more efficient.
According to our research, more than 70% of SME and small businesses believe that soft skills, including the likes of multitasking and attention to detail, are important for people working in a fast-growing company. As more and more startups emerge, remote working will become an established part of the working world. Ensuring you keep soft skills such as this rife in your business is key, and these tools and techniques will make sure you’re on the right path.
Meet the Masters of More
Side hustles. The gig economy. Job hopping. Careers are changing, and the way people think about work is too.
We spend 90,000 hours of life at work. They say it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill. You do the math. If you harness your time you can learn, hone and master nine skills throughout your career. Who do you want to be?
Throughout nine weeks we dive into nine soft skills in high demand by employers. We introduce candidates who are nailing this new world of work. Meet the Masters of More.