Remote Work Is The Future

In 1979 IBM introduced the modern concept of remote work as an experiment to free up office space. Soon, telecommuting became popular among other sectors and industries due to availability of more sophisticated telecommunications and information storage systems. The benefits of working from home and remote work are numerous and include a sense of freedom, increases in  productivity and a healthy and sustainable work-life balance.  

The Future Is Now  

A silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic has been the acceleration of the work from home model and its acceptance by even the stodgiest of industries. It is likely that after reaping the manifold benefits in both productivity, health and lifestyle that few will opt to return to the commute and the cubicle even after the COVID-19 vaccine becomes widely available. In fact, research company Gartner along with more than 300 business leaders globally found that 74% of their employees plan to transition from working on-site to remote working permanently. The focal point of this move stems from the fact that working from home is much more cost-effective than commuting to the workplace. Rather than spending time and money on office meals, commuting to and from the office, and other miscellaneous expenses, employees save up to four thousand dollars annually by opting to work remotely. Business owners benefit too as it a remote workforce reduces expenses and overhead freeing up precious capital to reinvest in the business. 

Technology Has Changed The Game 

The current state of technology has changed the remote work game and has been driven by the increasing demand for virtual workplace solutions and remote work tools. Both have grown exponentially enabling teams to collaborate and fulfill set roles and expectations seamlessly and from almost anywhere. As people continue to conduct meetings and other work-related tasks virtually, the efficiency and convenience of remote work becomes more apparent. Social activities born in the workplace are also not lost as they are present through team group chats and online happy hours.  

Strengthened Work-From-Home Policies 

Remote work may not be everybody’s cup of tea. Some people work more productively in the confines of their home. There are others who prefer their old routines. Either way, there will be people who will want to stick to remote work or head back to the office. Companies can approach this problem through a hybrid solution. Proper remote work policies can also be established and employed to fully maximize work operations as well as promote strong workplace culture. 

Efficient And Inclusive Communication  

Collaboration has been easier and more efficient now that work has been taken to the cloud. Since employees are not able to speak with their colleagues in person, video conferencing platforms such as Microsoft Teams is a gamechanger. Not only does it enable employees to see and talk with everyone and facilitates a more relaxed atmosphere. Employees with introverted personalities also benefit from this as it allows them to deliver quality work without having to spend most of their energy interacting with other people in the team.  

Staying Secure In A Remote Work Environment 

Another concern to note is cybersecurity. Keeping the company’s digital properties should now be more prioritized as cybercriminals are more likely to strike. In fact, Microsoft reported a 600% increase on phishing attacks disguised as Coronavirus-related content.  

This issue is a responsibility for both employers and employees. To protect data and devices, the team must: 

• Work with security teams to protect the health of mobile operations that may involve highly sensitive information and applications 
• Enforce multi-factor authentication to improve digital security 
• Use complex passwords and change them regularly. 
• Always install the latest patches and updates immediately on any device, whether it’s corporately owned or not 
• Change Wi-Fi settings and passwords frequently to prevent unauthorized access 
• Be wary of suspicious-looking content in general  

What We Can Do For You 

Although the global pandemic has had a significant impact in the outsourcing industry in the short term, there will be a strong and sustained demand for outsourced services in the longer term to increase business resilience, market adaptability, and revenue generation in the face of the new normal.  

Outsource Asia provides valuable insight and resources to organizations seeking opportunities to scale and stabilize their businesses through outsourcing. Schedule for FREE consultation today.