COVID-19 is Modernizing Your Work Environment


Publication Date: 04/02/2020

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Transitioning to Remote Work

The recent global state has forced companies both small and large to transition from their normal operations. For many of these companies, the road ahead will be particularly difficult to navigate; the ability for their employees to adapt and maintain productivity will be essential to endure current market conditions.

Unfortunately, due to the new wave of state-wide lockdowns and the rise of social distancing, normal daily workflow for businesses have been dramatically interrupted. We have no control over these externalities, so it is important to divert our attention to what we can control. Many companies have yet to take this opportunity to truly reflect on their current infrastructure.

Companies still using outdated communication systems and practices are currently the ones struggling the most. Steps towards modernization will be crucial for their survival in the coming months.

For many well-established companies, existing inefficient processes have been kept for the sake of tradition: Daily in-person conference meetings that can be conducted remotely. Printing, distributing and filing paper documents that could be stored and accessed securely online. While these practices have remained a focal point for many companies, they have long been obsolete and a waste of company time… and time is money.

Because these practices are no longer possible under lockdowns, this is the best moment to upgrade and revitalize your company’s business processes. After almost a decade of providing cloud services consultation for business clients, Paradigm has adapted to highly remote operations. From our acquired experiences we feel we can offer some insight to assist those who are new to this lifestyle, ensuring you thrive through this transition.



Understanding the opportunity of working remote

Can it work for your business?

The first point to understand about remote work is the reality being it is not always the ideal environment for every employee. Certain workers are more efficient when given a high amount of management. It has been proven face-to-face social interaction provides a significant boost in work-force motivation. Businesses that are in sales, for example, would work better in a face-to-face environment.

These factors are lessened significantly when we work from home. Because of this, normally productive workers can struggle to maintain the same productivity with an abrupt switch to a fully remote work environment.

Loss of communication is perhaps the most inherent consequence of a team working remotely for an extended period. Email and phone calls alone are inefficient methods when trying to maintain the same level of cohesiveness and communication employees are used to experiencing in day-to-day office interactions.



Solutions

By addressing these issues with a long-term solution, we can avoid the pitfalls of communication loss. The optimal way to bridge the gap between social distancing is to implement the proper software applications and business processes that are best suited for your company’s requirements:

Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing is an optimal solution for businesses to utilize remote servers instead of storing data in a local server/computer. Paradigm SES specializes in cloud consulting by using Oracle Cloud applications. This allows IT costs to be reduced, flexible scalability, collaboration efficiency and easier access. By having our work environment on a cloud server, Paradigm SES can access any environment or application with an internet connection. Cloud computing has made us and other businesses thrive in a flexible work life whether it be at home, in an airport between traveling, coffee shop, library or while running errands and using a phone for access.

Teamwork Projects

Certain online groupware or project management software applications like Teamwork Projects can provide a user-friendly platform allowing team members to share project status updates, archive files, easily track and log working hours, and much more from anywhere. Paradigm SES utilizes Teamwork Projects by promoting a collaborative work environment for all employees. Teamwork Projects allows users to post tasks and events that can be viewed by all other users.

Google Hangouts

For video and phone conferencing, Zoom and Google Hangouts are popular options allowing attendees to share screens for demonstrations, or even record meetings fully. Zoom and Google Hangouts allows users to be collaborative without physically being present. This functionality has been utilized to create highly useful instructional training videos to help expedite the onboarding process for new hires. Zoomand Hangouts help businesses transition from an office environment to a remote work life for users.

GETTING STARTED

These programs are just a few Paradigm has implemented, and we’d be more than happy to advise your business on the practices you can utilize to ensure that your company feels connected. Our hope is for many to understand that the tools for working remotely do not have to simply be temporary necessities, but rather significant upgrades and more cost-effective methods of intra-company interaction even when the quarantines subside. When utilized correctly, remote work can both reduce operational expenses and increase employee quality of life.

Need help implementing any of these applications? No worries - our consultants at Paradigm SES are well-versed in working remote and can help your company successfully implement any programs. Feel free to contact us for more information and details. A consultant will get back to you shortly.