{"id":9125,"date":"2025-01-09T06:13:07","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T06:13:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/?p=9125"},"modified":"2025-03-26T03:48:49","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T03:48:49","slug":"embracing-remote-work-are-you-ready-for-the-future-of-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/embracing-remote-work-are-you-ready-for-the-future-of-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Embracing Remote Work: Are You Ready for the Future of Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The COVID-19 pandemic caused many sweeping changes. One was the overnight shift to remote work for millions of teams worldwide. I have always seen remote work as a non-financial perk. It helps attract talent needing flexibility, like working moms. Running a business or managing teams is tough in a changing world. Even <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bet22.ng\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>22Bet<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, which adapts well, faced unique challenges in this shift.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fortunately, the organizations I work with are well-equipped for remote work. Despite this, I found myself\u2014and our teams\u2014struggling last week. To navigate these challenges, I contacted peers within the sector for advice and tips. Here is a summary of our talks. It offers tips on remote work, team morale, and well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/embracing-remote-work-are-you-ready-for-the-future-of-work\/#Getting_the_Most_Out_of_Remote_Working\" >Getting the Most Out of Remote Working<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/embracing-remote-work-are-you-ready-for-the-future-of-work\/#Revisit_and_prioritize_goals\" >Revisit and prioritize goals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/embracing-remote-work-are-you-ready-for-the-future-of-work\/#Do_%E2%80%98sprint_check-ins_to_deal_with_uncertainty\" >Do \u2018sprint\u2019 check-ins to deal with uncertainty<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/embracing-remote-work-are-you-ready-for-the-future-of-work\/#Pick_a_few_work_tools_and_stick_to_them\" >Pick a few work tools and stick to them<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/embracing-remote-work-are-you-ready-for-the-future-of-work\/#Set_Up_the_Team\" >Set Up the Team<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/embracing-remote-work-are-you-ready-for-the-future-of-work\/#Maintaining_Team_Spirits\" >Maintaining Team Spirits<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/embracing-remote-work-are-you-ready-for-the-future-of-work\/#Connect_With_the_Bigger_Picture\" >Connect With the Bigger Picture<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/embracing-remote-work-are-you-ready-for-the-future-of-work\/#Taking_Care_of_Well-being\" >Taking Care of Well-being<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/embracing-remote-work-are-you-ready-for-the-future-of-work\/#Allow_Flexibility\" >Allow Flexibility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/embracing-remote-work-are-you-ready-for-the-future-of-work\/#Create_Dedicated_Spaces\" >Create Dedicated Spaces<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/embracing-remote-work-are-you-ready-for-the-future-of-work\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Getting_the_Most_Out_of_Remote_Working\"><\/span><b>Getting the Most Out of Remote Working<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Revisit_and_prioritize_goals\"><\/span><b>Revisit and prioritize goals<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our field-based organizations\u2019 usual work can\u2019t be done from home. Some use this chance to put their products and services online. Others offer unique content to their existing communities. Others are using this time for strategic retreats. They are designing new products and services. Or they are focusing on back-burner projects. In all cases, the organizations have had to re-group on their short-term goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_%E2%80%98sprint_check-ins_to_deal_with_uncertainty\"><\/span><b>Do \u2018sprint\u2019 check-ins to deal with uncertainty<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Since things change daily, your check-ins should focus on one week\u2019s goals (or two, at most). You could also do a 15-minute daily check-in. It would let team members share their priorities and where they need support.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pick_a_few_work_tools_and_stick_to_them\"><\/span><b>Pick a few work tools and stick to them<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Remote work only works if you can access documents and shared team drives. (If you have gone digital recently, back up all the documents.) Most organizations need tools to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Store and share documents (e.g. Dropbox or Google Drive)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Host team meetings and work sessions (eg. Zoom or Google Hangouts)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Communicate with teams on a day-to-day basis (eg. WhatsApp, Slack, or e-mail)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Manage projects (e.g., Asana or Koan)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The key is to pick and install one or two tools across the organization. Many tools only add to the confusion and information overload.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Set_Up_the_Team\"><\/span><b>Set Up the Team<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you recently used any of the tools above, please run training sessions or share tips to help the team. Don\u2019t assume that everyone on the team is equally tech-savvy or, for that matter, has a computer at home. Lastly, agree on a communication protocol. Use Slack for non-urgent queries, text for urgent ones, and calls for very urgent queries. Just because you are on Slack doesn\u2019t imply you can respond to all messages immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Maintaining_Team_Spirits\"><\/span><b>Maintaining Team Spirits<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Many tools, like Zoom, enable virtual whiteboards or work within subgroups. Some organizations use simple Word or Excel docs for group work on video calls. This also engages team members who might struggle to stay motivated to work alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Connect_With_the_Bigger_Picture\"><\/span><b>Connect With the Bigger Picture<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Create a space for team members to connect weekly. One person can help with the big picture and answer queries. This can be particularly useful for recruits or junior team members.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Taking_Care_of_Well-being\"><\/span><b>Taking Care of Well-being<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regularly check in with team members to see how they are doing. Personality types vary. Some may struggle more than others. So, it&#8217;s important to check in with everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Allow_Flexibility\"><\/span><b>Allow Flexibility<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Be completely flexible with people if necessary, especially if they are carers for either their children and\/or their parents. Let the team know that it is all right to take a holiday\/break if they are finding themselves anxious or ill. Make sure they know that you have their back during this challenging period.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Create_Dedicated_Spaces\"><\/span><b>Create Dedicated Spaces<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">People respond to crises differently. Some like talking about things, while others do not. The important thing is to create avenues where those who want to engage can reach out. You could invite team members to create subgroups on focused topics. They could lead these groups with others who are interested. You could also create a dedicated space for personal check-ins at the beginning or the end of the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><b>Conclusion<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Remote work has changed how we operate. This all brings challenges and opportunities with it. For <a href=\"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/\">organizations<\/a> to prosper and do well in this new normal, adaptation is vital. Clearly define goals; communicate strongly, maintain morale of the team, and well-being. Success will be through flexibility and supporting the team, and from afar, create a connection. With the right strategies and tools, remote work can be more than a necessity\u2014it can be a powerful advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The COVID-19 pandemic caused many sweeping changes. One was the overnight shift to remote work [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9126,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9125","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9125"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9125\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9127,"href":"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9125\/revisions\/9127"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9125"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newpawsibilities.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}