When businesses were first faced with having to create a remote workforce in the spring of 2020, for many the transition was anything but smooth. Originally the thought was that it would be temporary, so it would just have to make do for the moment. But as the months have gone by, and the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t shown any signs of slowing, it’s clear that what was once considered a temporary solution is looking much more long-term.
But here’s the interesting thing that has started to happen to businesses. There has been a realisation, a real dawning if you will, of just how effective, productive, and frankly successful remote workforces can be. So rather than seeing it as a temporary solution, here are some ways you can actually expand your remote workforce in 2021 and ensure that it is consistently productive.
Look to Move Additional Staff to a Remote Environment in 2021
The first step is to do a workplace analysis and look for ways you can in fact move more staff to a remote environment in 2021. Rather than being at the mercy of a lockdown, if your workforce can work remotely none of that matters. It allows the business to operate in a more stable and consistent manner.
So, if there are still people sitting in a physical office space that really don’t need to be, it’s time to make that transition.
Ensure Employees Have the Necessary Hardware and Software
The next step takes a look at the logistics, which play a vital role in how productive employees can be. Without the proper tools – equipment such as computers, hardware, and software – it is impossible for them to do their job properly, which means the company suffers.
At the same time, outfitting all employees with computers with the necessary licenses and software to do their job can be very expensive. Let’s say you have designers working from home that need access to the Adobe suite of editing software or AutoCAD. The licenses alone can add up real fast and end up being completely out of the budget for small and medium sized businesses.
So what’s the solution? The most simple and cost-effective solution is to look into remote hosted desktops. A remote hosted desktop is one where all information is stored in the cloud, making it accessible to all who have been granted access by you.
It is perfect for scalable graphic-intensive work that designers require, and it’s affordable. In fact, when you look at the cost breakdown, a remote hosted desktop subscription is usually less than a few workstations would cost to set up in the homes of employees.
Customer Support Centres Can Thrive in a Remote Atmosphere
Now if you happen to operate a customer support centre or department, these too can operate and thrive in a remote atmosphere. Again, you can look at remote hosted desktops that allow everyone to access data in real-time.
Not only that, but the variety of apps that call centres usually use have no problem operating through a remote hosted desktop. And if security is a concern, these remote hosted desktops also feature data encryption and multifactor authentication. You can create the exact same setup you would have in the physical office space.
Unlock the Door to a Worldwide Workforce
Here’s another way in which you can expand your workforce and start taking advantage of the top talent out there. Once businesses start making the shift to a remote workforce suddenly the restrictions of an employee’s location no longer matter. There’s no need to hire employees located nearby, or even in the same country, or continent. You can start seeking top talent from around the world which will only benefit your company in the long run.
Don’t Be Afraid to Bring in Freelancers
In terms of staffing, a remote workforce also gives you the opportunity to use freelancers. Freelancers are used to working remotely, so this is nothing new to them, and hiring them can ensure that you get top quality work without having to bring on a full-time staff member. What this means is potential cost-savings for the company, yet no sacrifice in terms of the quality of work.
A Remote Workforce Could be Exactly What the Company Needs
So while the transition to a remote workforce may not have been your choice in the beginning, it’s time to look at things with a more critical eye and delve into the benefits that it can offer. Rather than scaling back in 2021, why not look for ways to expand your remote workforce further and take full advantage of the benefits?