As the world settles into a “new normal” with COVID, businesses around the world are considering what that means for them in terms of remote workforce management. Two years ago, millions of people in the United States left the office to work from home in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies scrambled to manage the technical aspects of employees working from home: how to ensure security and reliability to resources and data, how to manage personal devices and computers, and how to keep everyone connected and productive. As a result, many organizations moved to virtual desktops, either managing the transition internally or with a desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) partner.
This year, businesses that have made the initial transition to a remote workforce and investment in supporting technologies will not only need to refine what this means for different groups of employees but will also begin to reap the rewards.
Now that most companies are past the initial “how do we connect and work remotely?” question, it’s time for organizations to refine their remote workforce management processes to include optimizing technology and workflow for specific segments of employees. Here are common scenarios:
As companies settle into remote worker management as part of their status quo, they will begin seeing significant benefits to this arrangement from a business perspective. A remote workforce can help organizations combat labor issues, expand into global markets, improve retention of top talent, and scale human resources up or down as needed. Here are more specifics:
First, the remote workforce broadens the talent pool for many organizations during The Great Resignation and helps address the labor shortages that are plaguing just about every industry. If employees can work from anywhere, the barriers to hiring, such as geographical preferences, willingness to relocate, and work-life balance issues, are removed. The playing field is leveled for small, medium, and large organizations in terms of seeking the best and the brightest.
As long as an area offers internet connectivity, businesses can tap employees that reside there, making it easier to find unique skill sets, needed expertise, and the top candidates in just about any market.
Second, this capability allows easier expansion into new markets, particularly overseas. Hiring experts in those geographic areas can not only give a company a local presence but provide insight into cultural, economic, and societal norms that can be invaluable in sales and marketing to a new target audience.
Third, a remote workforce helps businesses improve employee retention, providing valuable employees with the flexibility to work where, when, and how much they prefer. For those that have grown up in the technology era, freedom to pursue a variety of life interests and goals means that work and career is only one part of a balanced and fulfilling existence. Staying in touch with employees about their priorities will help companies determine whether remote work arrangements are a valued benefit.
And, finally, supporting a virtual team means easier scalability during periods of growth. Relying on a remote workforce allows companies to add new team members quickly and easily by simply granting permissions and access to data, operating systems, applications, and software. There’s no need for expansion of physical space, relocating to a larger office building, or all the operational and capital expenses related to those efforts. This is also important for businesses that may have peak periods of high demand or seasonal products and services. Onboarding extra help when needed is fast and efficient, and ending temporary contracts is a matter of rescinding permissions and privileges.
Evolve IP partners with IT professionals to make the future of work better by seamlessly integrating their essential productivity tools into a single, secure solution, fine-tuned for the remote workforce. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help you to successfully manage a remote workforce.