Work from Home Workforce Management – Top 10 Tips

As cities and states begin a slow but sure reopening, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a new norm for businesses nationwide. Despite the reopening, more employees will continue to work from home (WFH). And, small businesses are starting to adjust to accommodate and support this trend. Recently Facebook has started planning for permanent work from home workforce.

Pivoting to a WFH workforce can dramatically change the way your business operates. When managed well, it can be effective and does not have to be daunting for you and your business. A critical part of these efforts is ensuring that the workplace remains productive and that important small business communication tools remain secure. Here are ten tips for pivoting to a WFH workforce.

1. Security first

One of the biggest concerns for small businesses is the security of their confidential data and communication tools. The WFH workforce is at a higher risk of security threats and breaches since many have to work using their home Wifi or internet connection. Therefore, your small business must comply with regulations for collecting and storing important private information and data from customers and clients. On top of that, you have to ensure any systems you operate on or utilize have updated security software and OS patches.

A small business VoIP phone system is ideal for WFH workforces where employees are located in various locations. VoIP phone systems that run on a Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol or a similar secure authentication protocol encrypt incoming messages to ensure that only authorized personnel can access them. Protecting all communication within the WFH workforce and external customers is essential to staying secure with a dynamic and remote workforce.

2. Stay connected with your Work from Home workforce with a cloud-based system

Cloud-based systems and services are ideal for growth and expansion. Moving to the cloud also has many additional benefits. One key benefit is that it gives you and your WFH workforce immediate and mobile access to important business data and information anywhere, anytime. Cloud-based VoIP phone systems are flexible and scalable and provide the needed connectivity to anyone, wherever they are working.

Many essential cloud-based communications, operational, and productivity tools are made for WFH workforces. These include Google Suite, Microsoft 365, Zoho, and more.

3. Maximize productivity

With everyone working from home and at varying hours, tracking productivity among the various departments and employees is important. Key metrics can show where productivity spikes or decreases compared to before you pivoted to a WFH workforce. With that data, you can maximize productivity by adjusting existing pipelines and work policies for greater potential in seamless communication and operational workflow.

4. Keep to your normal business hours

Pivoting to a WFH workforce can mean many things, including more flexible hours. However, customers and clients need to be able to reach your business knowing that someone will be there to help. Therefore, keeping normal business hours is important. It will provide a steady flow of external communication while offering stability for your employees.

5. Streamline remote work tools that support your small business

Your small business will need a standard set of operational, communications, and other productivity tools to maximize productivity. With a WFH workforce, these remote work tools are essential to keeping the team intact. In addition, streamlining your remote work tools allows employees to learn and master the specific tools they need. Hopping around from one tool to the next creates instability and reduces productivity.

There is a range of remote work tools designed to support your small business. The various tools range in pricing and offer different features. Video conferencing includes Zoom and Google Hangouts. Microsoft 365 and Google offer emailing and office applications, while Slack, Airtable, and Cisco Spark provide workplace collaboration platforms.

6. Ensure you have support

Now that you will have to use a mix of tools and systems, ensuring you are supported in your pivoting is important. Transiting into a WFH workforce requires a little getting used to. For instance, with your new small business VoIP phone system, you will need to learn the new system and be able to operate it. Often, employees require technical assistance or support when interfacing with new systems. Finally, ensure that whatever systems or tools you have chosen provide sufficient support and helpdesk options so you and your WFH workforce can get help anytime you need it.

7. Back up important business data

As you ease into your new Work-from-home workplace, you should consider how to keep important business data and information secure and handy. With a WFH workforce, employees will work with files and critical data on various laptops or computers in various locations. Moreover, it is crucial to ensure that backups of documents and important data are centralized in a cloud-based source or location. Furthermore, make sure that data is easily accessible to everyone. And, if a workstation fails, that data should be retrievable so that it can be recovered.

8. Keep costs low

Not forgetting the pandemic is not exactly over, saving money is crucial to any small business. There are many options available for every aspect of your business. Keeping costs low is important. So, carefully screen your options to ensure there are no hidden costs. Ensure that you are getting value for your money. In addition, always ensure that you only pay for what your small business needs.

9. Equip your Work from Home Workforce

Remember that pivoting to a WFH workforce changes many things for you and your employees. Not all employees are prepared for this. Many might not be equipped to work from home. Remaining flexible and understanding employee needs is essential in times like these. In addition, I work with various departments to ensure all employees can take what they need from the office, such as laptops and supplies. The better equipped your employees are, the more productive they will be at home.

10. Check in on your workforce and yourself

Working from home can be effective and productive. However, it can also be daunting or stressful for many employees and even for yourself as a small business owner. Regular check-ins can help boost work attitudes and spirit. Ensure your new WFH workforce takes the time they need for breaks and rest. Keep an eye on workload so they are not stressed out juggling deadlines during dinner time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, times are changing, and ensuring everyone is well and positive during such a transition is always important. As you pivot to your WFH workforce, always be open to suggestions. Ask for feedback periodically to gauge how everyone is feeling. Be flexible and adapt to new procedures and ways of doing things. Most importantly, as we all try to sustain our businesses, we must remember that we are not alone. Many service providers are here to help you transition.

 

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