business plan remote work

Business Plan Template for Remote Working

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Working remotely offers numerous advantages for both companies and employees, but it also requires careful planning and strategy to ensure success. That's where ClickUp's Business Plan Template for Remote Working comes in!

Designed specifically for companies implementing remote work policies or startups aiming to create a remote work-focused business model, this template helps you outline strategies, goals, and financial projections tailored for a distributed workforce.

By utilizing this template, you can:

• Enable efficient communication and collaboration among remote teams
• Maximize cost savings and employee flexibility without sacrificing productivity
• Visualize your remote work plan and track progress towards your goals

Whether you're an established company embracing remote work or a startup building a distributed team from scratch, ClickUp's Business Plan Template for Remote Working has everything you need to thrive in the remote work landscape. Get started today and unlock the full potential of remote work!

Business Plan Template for Remote Working Benefits

A business plan template for remote working offers numerous benefits for companies embracing a distributed workforce model:

• Effective communication and collaboration among remote team members, ensuring seamless workflow
• Enhanced productivity and efficiency through optimized remote work strategies and goal setting
• Cost savings by reducing office space expenses and other overhead costs associated with traditional work environments
• Increased employee flexibility, leading to improved work-life balance and job satisfaction
• Tailored financial projections and strategies to support remote work operations and maximize profitability
• Streamlined onboarding and training processes for remote employees, minimizing the learning curve
• Scalability and adaptability to meet the evolving needs and challenges of remote work arrangements.

Main Elements of Remote Working Business Plan Template

ClickUp’s Business Plan Template for Remote Working is designed to help companies create a comprehensive plan for managing a distributed workforce. Here are the main elements included in this template:

• Custom Statuses: Track the progress of different sections of your business plan using statuses such as Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do.
• Custom Fields: Utilize custom fields like Reference, Approved, and Section to add specific details and organize information within your business plan.
• Custom Views: Access different views to analyze and manage your business plan effectively, including Topics, Status, Timeline, Business Plan, and Getting Started Guide.
• Collaboration Tools: Leverage ClickUp's collaboration features like assigning tasks, adding comments, and attaching files to collaborate seamlessly with your team members.
• Goal Tracking: Define and track your business goals using ClickUp's Goals feature, ensuring alignment and progress towards your remote work objectives.

How To Use Business Plan Template for Remote Working

Working remotely has become increasingly popular, and if you're starting a business that operates remotely, having a clear plan is essential. Here are four steps to effectively utilize the Business Plan Template for Remote Working in ClickUp:

1. Define your business goals and objectives

Start by clearly defining your business goals and objectives. What do you want to achieve with your remote business? Are you aiming to increase revenue, expand your customer base, or develop new products or services? Defining your goals will help guide your decision-making process and keep you focused on what matters most.

Use Goals in ClickUp to set specific, measurable, and time-bound objectives for your remote business.

2. Identify your target market and competition

Next, identify your target market and understand your competition. Who are your ideal customers? What are their needs and pain points? Conduct market research to gain insights into your target audience's preferences, behaviors, and demographics. Additionally, analyze your competition to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and unique selling points.

Create tasks in ClickUp to conduct market research and analyze your competition, ensuring you stay ahead in the remote business landscape.

3. Develop your remote work strategy

With the rise of remote work, it's crucial to have a well-defined remote work strategy. Determine how your team will collaborate, communicate, and maintain productivity while working remotely. Consider tools, processes, and policies that will support remote work efficiency and ensure seamless communication among team members.

Utilize Automations in ClickUp to streamline remote work processes, ensuring your team stays connected and productive.

4. Create a financial plan

Lastly, create a comprehensive financial plan for your remote business. This includes estimating startup costs, projecting revenue and expenses, and determining your break-even point. Additionally, consider any unique financial considerations related to remote work, such as technology expenses, remote team management tools, and potential savings from reduced office space.

Use the Table view in ClickUp to create a financial plan that includes all necessary financial projections, budgets, and cash flow analysis.

By following these steps and utilizing the Business Plan Template for Remote Working in ClickUp, you'll be well-equipped to start and grow your remote business successfully.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Business Plan Template for Remote Working

Companies implementing remote work policies or startups aiming to create a remote work-focused business model can use the Business Plan Template for Remote Working in ClickUp to outline strategies, goals, and financial projections tailored for a distributed workforce.

First, hit “Add Template” to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you’d like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to create a comprehensive business plan for remote working:

• Use the Topics View to organize different sections of your business plan, such as goals, strategies, and financial projections
• The Status View will help you track the progress of each section, with statuses like Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do
• The Timeline View will give you a visual representation of your business plan's milestones and deadlines
• The Business Plan View provides a holistic overview of your entire plan, allowing you to analyze and make adjustments as needed
• Utilize the Getting Started Guide View to outline step-by-step instructions for implementing your remote work policies
• Customize the Reference, Approved, and Section custom fields to add additional information and categorize your business plan
• Update statuses, custom fields, and views as you progress through your plan to ensure maximum productivity and alignment.
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This is How to Build Remote Work into Your Startup Business Plan

Ashley Kimler

10 min. read

Updated March 18, 2024

Today, the virtual business model has a radically new relationship with employees. Instead of going to the office and seeing team members face-to-face, the only contact they have is via phone, email, and other technologies . 

On one hand, this can yield some major benefits, such as increased productivity and happier employees. On the other hand, it can slow workflows down if you haven’t organized and mapped out the process. 

As such, it’s key that your remote team and working environment are now included as part of your business plan . That’s right — if you can nail this process on paper, you’ll find that creating seamless workflows is so much easier. 

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at whether or not you need a business plan and how to incorporate every aspect of remote working into it. 

• First, do you need a business plan?

A business plan is a useful document that helps you and any potential investors better understand your business. You might think you already know your plan inside out, but by writing it down you and your team will gain insights that would otherwise have been inaccessible. You may even discover new ideas and approaches.

With a business plan, you will be able to use it as a tool to outline the next steps you want to take and action items to get there. 

A business plan also increases your chances of securing capital from investors. No business plan = no outside investment. 

Lastly, entrepreneurs who write formal plans are 16% more likely to achieve growth than otherwise identical entrepreneurs who do not plan. Business plans are an integral part of starting a business.

Why do you need to include remote work in your plan? 

There’s no doubt about it — remote work is the way forward for many startups. A virtual workforce is no longer something to consider for the future. Instead, it’s an operational strategy that many businesses are implementing right now. 

However, successfully implementing a remote workforce is no mean feat. There is a lot to consider, including:

• Communication 
• Engagement 
• Location 
• Productivity 
• Morale 
• Hiring 
• Tools 

By adding remote working to your business plan, you’re helping your business overcome any potential problems that can easily be encountered if you’ve never used a remote team before. You’re also persuading potential investors that you know exactly what you’re doing. Yes, you’ll be working with a remote team, but you’ve covered all the bases so they will hit the ground running. 

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How can you include these remote work fundamentals in your plan? 

Anyone who’s written a business plan from start to finish will tell you how detailed it can be. Adding remote working into the mix can feel like you’re just creating extra hard work for yourself. 

In this section, we’re going to break everything down for you so that you know exactly how to include it. 

1. Make sure the objective is clear 

Before you get into the real nitty-gritty details, you first need to make sure your overriding objective is clear. Why is your business hiring a remote workforce?

Early on, you’ll need to define: 

• Who you are, including your company leadership and core offer.  
• The type of remote workforce you will hire, be it freelancers, contractors, or employees. 
• Where they will work — Will your workers work at homes (at their own expense) or will you furnish workspaces such as offices or co-working memberships? 
• Whether or not your business will be online only — Perhaps only a portion of your staff will work outside the office?  

Setting clear objectives from the start will help you understand your startup in more ways than you now know. You don’t need to go into great detail, but paint your vision so that you (and investors) understand how a virtual workforce is going to make your company a success. Keep in mind that you are likely to make adjustments along the way. 

2. Outline remote working guidelines and policies 

Outlining remote working guidelines and policies allows you to make it clear to your remote team what it is you expect from them. This should include all aspects of virtual work, such as working hours, communication expectations, cybersecurity requirements, and — of course — legal rights. 

Your guidelines and policies could prove to be the most challenging aspect of the remote section of your business plan because you will need to figure everything out, from tools to communication expectations. But, don’t be overwhelmed, we’ll be covering what needs to go into your remote working guidelines and policies throughout the rest of this article. 

3. Cover location and facilities 

When your team is working remotely, they must have access to everything they need. This includes computer equipment, IT support, telephone access, tools, security, and other ergonomic equipment like comfortable chairs and desks. 

You also need to make it clear whether or not the company will be responsible if something goes wrong with a remote worker’s equipment, or whether they will have to pay for repairs and technical support themselves. 

Wherever the remote worker chooses to work, make it clear that they must take care to look after their equipment and devices (to protect from, among other things, theft), and that WiFi is easy to access and reliable. 

4. Incorporate your communication plan 

Communication is fundamental for all remote businesses. Creating a communication plan in your business plan can help you make the switch to a remote workforce as seamlessly as possible. Among other things, it will prevent delays and ensure maximum efficiency. 

Make it clear what tools you and your team will be using to stay connected (more on this later in the article), and define what your communication plan is. In other words, how do you plan to contact team members? You can, for example, use Skype or Zoom when a point needs clarifying, or whenever you want to have a team meeting, but you can use instant messaging for less formal conversations. 

Ultimately, you’ll want to find ways of creating a culture of online communication with solid rules of engagement in place so that staying connected is done with efficiency in mind. You might also need to address the issue of time zones — if people are working in different time zones, is there a way to change their working hours so that there aren’t lengthy delays between team members sending and receiving replies?

When drafting your communication plan, list down: 

• Preferred methods of communication 
• Rules for communication 

Now, how to choose the right remote workers 

To instill confidence in potential investors, you’ll want to demonstrate via your business plan that you’re hiring the right remote workers. 

It’s key that you address where you’ll be looking for your hires. You can find remote workers on job boards, as well as global freelancing hubs, such as WeWorkRemotely and Flexjobs . But it’s also important that you address how you’ll be creating job posts that attract the best workers. For example, you could drive home the work/life balance benefits that come with working for your company, whilst making it clear how they’ll be paid. 

You should also write down how you’ll conduct an initial screening process. A good idea might be to ask a select list of potential candidates to complete a specific task. Once this part of the screening process is done and you’ve narrowed down your candidates further, consider testing them with a full day’s work to see how they perform. The results should give you a clear idea regarding who your outstanding candidate is. 

You also need to find creative ways to interact 

A remote team won’t be successful if your employees are socially distant from each other and feel isolated. This sort of thing lowers morale and creates a sense of disconnect from your company, and it will make investors nervous. 

It’s a smart idea to find creative ways to interact with your team members. You could, for instance, schedule a weekly team call with everyone that always begins with 10-15 minutes of relaxed “catch up.” You could also organize virtual games once or so a month, and pair off 2-3 workers who spend an hour each week chatting over a video about both work and non-work related topics. 

Whatever you do, you should aim to find creative ways to interact that boost your company culture and morale. 

Which tools should you utilize? 

Using the essential tools will ensure that your team stays on top of tasks. Tools are there to make remote team management so much easier by improving communication, project management, idea sharing, and productivity.

When you write a business plan, make a note of any software you intend to use and how you will conduct the onboarding process. 

Business planning solution 

For your business itself, you must work with a business planning solution that allows you to craft a perfect business plan. The best business planning solution tools will give your entire business a framework that you can feel confident in and also help you present the plan to relevant stakeholders. 

Project management 

Managing projects can be tricky when everyone is working remotely. But with the right project management software in place, your whole team can engage with each other and the project in one centralized hub. The best tools allow for easy collaboration, planning, task scheduling, organization, reporting, budgeting, and they give a clear overview of the project so that everyone knows what’s been completed and what they need to do next. 

Cloud storage

Using cloud storage gives the whole business and any potential investors confidence that important files and documents won’t go missing. Cloud storage protects work from being lost, it creates a backup for everything and it can also encourage more cooperation between your team members.

Communication tools 

Communication tools fundamentally help your remote team stay connected. However, there are different types of communication tools you can use, and it’s important to specify which ones your team will be using for what types of communication.

For example, an all-in-one tool like Slack is loaded with integrations and features that make it ideal for whenever your team needs to trade ideas and check-in on tasks. On the flip side, a customized Slack alternative is better for whenever your team needs to fire off instant messages to each other. 

Virtual private networks (VPN) 

Virtual private networks (VPNs) give you peace of mind that the work that is being created and shared by your remote workers isn’t accessible to anyone else. A VPN essentially gives everyone access to a secure database that, once again, will give both your business and potential investors more confidence. 

Conclusion 

Integrating remote work into your startup business plan doesn’t have to be complicated. It will take you a bit more time. But, as long as you use the advice in this article as a framework, you should be able to hit the ground running. Just make sure to cover as many details as possible and to use this as an opportunity to learn more about how remote working will work for you.

Clarify your ideas and understand how to start your business with LivePlan

Ashley Kimler is a B2B SaaS Copywriter, Content Strategist, and Founder of CopyNoise. She's been helping businesses of all sizes get in front of the right audience online for over a decade.

Table of Contents

• Why do you need to include remote work in your plan? 
• How can you include these remote work fundamentals in your plan? 
• Now, how to choose the right remote workers 
• You also need to find creative ways to interact 
• Which tools should you utilize? 
• Conclusion 

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8 proven tips to create an effective remote work plan

With nearly all businesses going remote, it’s essential to have a remote work plan in place.

An effective plan helps you deal with various aspects of remote work like managing work schedules, communication, and employee engagement.

So with several things to cover, how do you create a plan that best suits your organization?

In this article, we’ll explore what a remote work plan is and why you need it. We’ll also highlight eight essential tips to help you draft an excellent remote work plan.

This article contains:

(click on the links to jump to a specific section)

• What is a Remote Work Plan?
• Create a Remote Work Policy
• Allow Flexible Remote Work Schedule
• Setup Effective Communication
• Encourage Employee Engagement
• Conduct Regular Virtual Meetings
• Monitor Productivity
• Maintain A Company Culture
• Ensure Virtual Security
• Why Do You Need a Remote Work Plan?

What is a remote work plan?

A remote work plan refers to guidelines and HR policies (Human Resources) that help organizations streamline communication and workflow while working remotely.

While there are many strategies for creating a remote work plan, an effective plan should:

• Help set and establish clear objectives and goals.
• Allow employees the flexibility required to meet their goals.
• Set up a comprehensive communication plan for easy collaboration. 

8 simple tips to implement a remote work plan

Let’s have a look at eight excellent tips that can help you draft a remote work plan:

1. Create a remote work policy

A remote work policy is a document that acts as an agreement between a remote worker and their employer. It includes rules and guidelines needed to streamline the adoption of remote work.

And while remote work has now become the norm following the COVID 19 pandemic, several businesses still haven’t drafted a remote work policy for their employees – which can be a big problem.

Without a good remote work policy, the teams won’t know how to conduct remote operations efficiently. 

This can lead to inefficient communication and collaboration – impacting your business in the process. For example, delayed response from your remote team members can slow down a task or project.

That’s why establishing a clear policy helps your employees know exactly how to approach the remote work arrangement. This also reduces the chances of misunderstandings and miscommunication, which otherwise would impact team productivity.

How to create a remote work policy

While each organization has a different approach to remote work with various requirements and needs, there are a few essential points that every remote work policy should cover.

• Eligibility for remote work.
• Minimum work hours and availability.
• Code of conduct for your employees to maintain high productivity levels.
• Data security measures.

Here’s an excellent remote work policy template to help you get started.

2. Allow flexible remote work schedule

Work schedule flexibility is one of the greatest perks of working remotely.

A flexible schedule doesn’t adhere to the usual full-time nine-to-five routine, allowing employees to work whenever they want. 

But they need to complete the minimum number of hours required in a workday or month.

How does this help?

Employees can structure their schedules around their most productive hours. They can also prioritize work and accommodate other personal activities in their schedule – creating a better work life balance.

However, not all kinds of flexible work schedules are suitable for all types and sizes of organizations. 

That’s why, before making a decision, you should make an organizational assessment to determine the type of flexible schedule that suits you best.

How to implement flexible work schedule

Implementing a flexible schedule involves a lot of planning.

For example, you need to train your managers to deal with flexible shift employees, manage customer requirements, and more.

But with good planning and support from your employees, implementing a flexible working schedule can be easy. 

For this, you can adopt a few measures, like:

• Create and share a flexible working hours policy.
• Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of remote employees as well as managers.
• Set and track KPIs to keep organizational goals and productivity in check.
• Introduce flexible arrangements like a condensed work week, job sharing, flextime, etc.

Check out the eight types of flexible work schedules you can implement as part of your remote work plan.

3. Set up effective communication

Though water-cooler conversations are considered unproductive activities, they help create bonds among team members — keeping the lines of communication open for work discussions.

But in a remote work arrangement, these informal discussions and in person meetings reduce significantly. That’s why remote working teams must make an effort to communicate regularly . 

How to set up effective communication

To ensure effortless communication and collaboration among your team members, you can:

• Set core work hours.
• Provide standardized formats for communication.
• Use effective communication tools.
• Conduct virtual team-building activities to break the ice. 
• Create non-work-related Slack or Microsoft Teams channels.

Moreover, you need to provide and encourage the use of the right remote work tools .

For example, to conduct virtual team meetings, you can use a video conferencing tool like Zoom and Google Meet. And you can manage all project-related work with project management tools like Asana . 

You can also use apps that create shared workspaces or file-sharing systems. Additionally, consider setting up dedicated communication servers with resources like Discord .

4. Encourage employee engagement

Employee engagement refers to the commitment of employees towards the organization’s goals and objectives.

Greater employee engagement leads to enhanced productivity and a healthy work environment. 

With high engagement levels, you’ll be able to observe lower absenteeism rates, increased remote employee loyalty, low turnover, and increased profitability.

Additionally, engaged remote team members may feel motivated and proactively contribute to the overall company growth. 

However, boosting engagement isn’t easy. 

If you don’t take measures to interact and engage with your remote employees, you might see a few signs of low employee engagement:

• Employees putting minimum effort into their work.
• Reduced performance levels over time.
• Unwillingness to socialize outside office hours.
• Excessive social media browsing during work hours.

How to ensure employee engagement

To strengthen remote employee relations and boost workplace morale, you can participate in activities, such as:

• Readily listen to employees to build a sense of trust.
• Encourage face-to-face conversations through Zoom.
• Recognize and appreciate achievements.
• Collect anonymous feedback from employees and act upon their suggestions.
• Use employee engagement software to keep your remote workforce motivated.

5. Conduct regular virtual meetings

A distributed team can be working from any part of the world – making instant messaging and phone calls the primary mode of communication.

This limits the conversations to work-related announcements and issues.

But with regular meetings or video calls, you can stay virtually connected, and distance becomes just a number.

These regular team sessions help:

• Strengthen relationships and team cohesion.
• Quick resolution of doubts and ambiguity.
• Facilitate creative thinking and innovation.
• Create transparency around work expectations.

How to conduct regular virtual meetings

Video conferencing tools like Zoom and Skype provide a platform to check how your team members are doing. 

Use these regular check-ins to:

• Have conversations to discuss expectations or project progress.
• Ask employees to share the challenges they’ve been facing at work and provide solutions.
• Share recent personal as well as team accomplishments.
• Practice remote team building activities .

6. Monitor productivity

Monitoring your remote team’s productivity is essential to identify unproductive activities and areas of improvement.

Tracking productivity also helps you allocate tasks efficiently as you’ll know which employees are productive and who have too many tasks to handle .

However, as your employees are working from their home offices, monitoring productivity can be challenging.

In a remote work program, you can’t simply walk up to your employees’ desk to receive progress updates. 

Luckily, an employee productivity tracking tool is all you need.

How to monitor employee productivity

Employee monitoring solutions like Time Doctor offer advanced features to track remote work productivity. 

What’s Time Doctor?

Time Doctor is a powerful employee productivity management software used by major corporations, like BBB (Better Business Bureau) and small businesses, like Firehouse Subs, to boost employee productivity.

This user-friendly app helps you:

• Easily track employee time manually or automatically.
• Categorize websites based on productivity ratings . 
• Gain actionable insights into performance with various accurate reports.
• Create and edit employee shifts and schedules with work schedules .
• Monitor attendance in real-time with detailed attendance reports .
• Track inactivity to monitor productivity levels better.
• Use the Chrome browser extension to track time spent on other apps with ease.

7. Maintain company culture

Company culture is the heart of an organization. It’s a combination of an organization’s business values, mission, and goals. 

It’s not built overnight and is the result of the teamwork of employees, HR leaders, and executives.

Company culture goes beyond the physical elements of office space, and that’s why we shouldn’t ignore it in a remote work environment.

However, creating and maintaining a company culture that appeals to everyone can be more challenging. 

You need to cultivate an environment of productivity and belonging that pulls the entire organization together, despite team members being spread across the globe. 

And if the transition to remote work was rapid and unexpected, it’s the leaders’ responsibility to preserve the culture that was built. 

How to maintain a company culture

To foster a positive culture for remote work employees, you can:

• Share company values with new hires during the onboarding process.
• Establish communication norms to build and maintain company culture.
• Build mutual trust through informal chat channels and virtual happy hours .
• Provide employee assistance programs to help deal with work, personal, and other issues.

8. Ensure virtual security

The COVID 19 pandemic has forced many companies to adopt remote work. 

And while work from home (WFH) is convenient and offers many benefits, implementing cybersecurity and data protection can be challenging.

As remote workers use a combination of company-issued and personal devices for work and cloud-based platforms for communication, they become prone to various cybersecurity attacks.

Moreover, lack of security training among employees, exposure to insecure wireless networks, and a lack of basic authentication methods can all add to virtual security risks.

How to ensure virtual security

To mitigate security risks and minimize the risk of personal data being leaked, you must implement clear and comprehensive security policies.

A security policy provides tips to ensure the safety of company data and devices and helps employees understand their role in preventing security attacks.

You can also invest in internet security tools for keeping everyone’s devices safe. 

Additionally, you can take a few proactive measures, like:

• Use VPN (Virtual Private Networks), which helps maintain end-to-end data encryption.
• Audit personal devices and networks for weaknesses.
• Implement measures like multi-factor authentication, monitoring access controls, and set strong passwords.
• Train remote employees to report suspicious links to the IT department.

Learn more about remote desktop security here.

Why do you need a remote work plan?

When transitioning from a physical organization into a remote setting, you need to figure out what you want to accomplish.

To put it simply, you need to set an achievable goal. 

Next, you need to envision a system that will help you achieve those goals. And that’s where a long term remote work plan plays an important role. 

Moreover, working remotely doesn’t mean a simple shift from a co-working space to a home. 

To stay connected virtually and ensure that distance doesn’t hinder productivity and business continuity, you need to consider a few other things, such as:

• The KPIs (Key Performance Indicator) and important metrics that need to be tracked.
• Technologies to be used like productivity, communication, and a collaboration tool.
• Frequency of one-on-one as well as team meetings.
• Core business hours that require all the coworkers to be present during those hours.

These things can’t be accounted for unless you have a well-documented plan covering all the above aspects.

However, you need to keep in mind that your developed plan won’t be a one-time rollout. It’ll need to be revised regularly – which can be done through experimentation and constant learning. 

Check out how the outsourcing industry is transitioning to remote work .

Wrapping up

There’s no one-fits-all solution for ensuring a smooth transition to remote work. 

However, having a remote work strategy always helps. A well-written and structured plan not only provides guidelines for operating remotely but helps achieve organizational goals.

But remember, your entire company needs to have a good understanding of what it takes to work remotely as a team. 

Go through the tips mentioned here to create a customized remote work plan. Once you’re done, transitioning to a remote culture will become much easier!

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43 Remote Work Best Practices, Strategies, and Tips for Your Business

Use the following guide as a crash course for remote work best practices, strategies, and tips so you can better lead, manage, and perform on your remote teams.

Remote Work Research Report

Table of contents, what is remote work, benefits of working remotely, 4 tips for working remotely, building a remote work culture, how to engage remote employees, remote working survey questions, 3 tips for onboarding for remote workers, how to manage remote employees, 4 ways to boost employee performance while remote, professional development for remote workers, keeping remote workers connected.

Remote work isn’t new, but it is newly widespread. According to a Gallup poll,  56% of U.S. workers are working remotely  all or part of the time. And while some may start returning to work full-time or in a more hybrid capacity, the trend towards remote work seems here to stay.

Upwork’s Future of Workforce Pulse Report  estimates that by 2025, 36.2 million Americans will be working remotely , an 87% increase from pre-pandemic levels.

As more and more companies and employees embrace remote work, leaders and managers will need to re-learn and re-think some of the old ways of doing things. From team collaboration and meetings to performance management and schedules, remote work is transforming how, when, and where we work.

So what exactly is remote work? And how is it different from traditional office work? To get a better understanding of how to best approach remote work in your business, it’s helpful to have a clear definition:

Remote work definition

Remote work is essentially any work done away from a physical office location. Remote work gives employees the flexibility to do their work and stay productive and connected to their team and office from anywhere—whether on the road or at home.

For most, this means working from home or a favorite coffee shop. But others have embraced a “digital nomad” lifestyle—working and traveling across multiple locations.

The rise of cloud technology and improved communication and collaboration tools have allowed more and more teams to join the remote work movement. They are also starting to reap the added benefits and improved productivity that remote work can bring.

Despite initial hesitation from more traditionally-minded leaders to invest in remote work as a viable option for the workforce, most people now agree that remote work has compelling advantages.

Benefits of remote work include:

• Increased employee engagement
• Greater productivity
• Reduced turnover
• Positive employer brand
• Lower overhead costs
• Wider talent pool to recruit from

Employees want and value the flexibility and autonomy that remote work affords them. In fact, 54% of employees say they would change jobs for one that offered them more flexibility, which results in an average of 12% turnover reduction after a remote work agreement is offered.

And organizations benefit from happier employees who are more productive, engaged, and excited to work with the company.

Bottom line: Remote work is good for your bottom line—and your people.

Remote work statistics

Research proves time and time again the positive impact remote work can have on both employees and businesses.

Understanding how remote work impacts your teams will help you better address potential problems and prioritize the things that matter most to your employees—and that will make the biggest difference in long-term performance and engagement.

Here are just a few remote work statistics illustrating what the present and future of remote work might look like.

• 61% of employees prefer being fully remote . A survey by Growmotely found that more than half of remote employees prefer working fully remote. Consider checking in with your workforce periodically to uncover their work preferences—whether fully remote, in-office full time, or a hybrid arrangement.
• Only 76% of new hires agree they have what they need to do their job from home. Make sure your remote employees—especially new hires—have the tools and resources they need to do their work. This includes hardware as well as software, security access, platform logins, communication channels, and clear policies and organizational documentation. A robust onboarding process can help set up remote hires for success.
• 77% of remote employees confirmed improved productivity. The verdict is in—remote employees tend to work longer hours and get more done. Just make sure you’re setting fair expectations and supporting work-life balance so your employees don’t burn out.
• 62% of employees believe working remotely positively impacts engagement but only 5% are likely to stay at their company long-term. Although employees feel more engaged when working remotely, retention doesn’t always match. This is an opportunity to stay dialed in to your remote team’s engagement so you can take strategic steps to engage, connect, and retain your employees.

If you’re new to remote work, it can be a big shift from working in an office. Here are a few remote working tips to make the transition successful for you and your team.

1. Communicate, communicate, communicate.

With remote teams, it’s nearly impossible to over-communicate. Since you aren’t all working together in an office setting, you don’t have the opportunity to collaborate in person, check in at each others’ desks, or chat in the break room to stay up to date. This means you need to find other ways to communicate effectively and clearly.

Clarify early on how your team will communicate and the best channels for different types of work and topics (e.g., performance reviews vs. project updates).

These might include:

• One-on-ones and check-ins
• Team meetings
• Video conferencing
• Project management software

Frequent communication will help everyone stay on the same page and build better connections and trusted relationships across the team.

2. Clarify expectations.

You can avoid a lot of frustration, confusion, and misalignment through clear expectations from the start.

Set expectations around:

• Communication
• Scheduling and availability
• Performance and feedback
• Calendars and deadlines 
• Goals and mission

Clarifying how, when, and where your team will work can improve efficiency, keep everyone aligned, and prevent conflict from the start.

3. Increase feedback loops.

Juggling communication and schedules across a remote team can be tricky—especially if people are working in different time zones. That’s why establishing a consistent feedback culture is so important.

Managers should regularly solicit feedback from their remote teams to understand how best to support individual employees, identify areas of potential conflict or friction, build trusted relationships, and drive performance.

4. Set healthy boundaries.

Working from home can blur the lines between personal life and work life. Remote workers already work longer hours than office workers, putting them at risk for extra stress and even burnout.

Help keep your remote employees happy and well by setting healthy boundaries around work :

• Limit hours of availability
• Encourage self-care
• Build wellness into your team activities (e.g., host regular mindfulness breaks)
• Share about family life or personal interests outside work
• Require regular breaks from the screen

Just because you aren’t all gathered in an office doesn’t mean you don’t have a team or company culture. That’s why it’s important to focus on building a healthy and productive culture from the start.

How remote work impacts culture

Culture is made up of the attitudes, behaviors, and values of a group or organization. In other words, it’s the heart and soul of your company and its people.

When you add remote work into your company dynamics, that will impact how employees and leaders work together. For example, we know remote work can improve productivity and performance—but it doesn’t always translate to higher employee retention.

Building a strong remote work culture from the start can help you capitalize on the benefits of remote work while mitigating some of the risks and challenges that are unique to distributed teams.

Working remotely pros and cons

When teams work remotely, culture can be harder to define and implement. But distance doesn’t have to result in disconnection.

Remote workers typically value and appreciate greater flexibility and autonomy over their work and schedules. This can translate to a positive culture of mutual trust and accountability. Plus, when workers have fewer organic opportunities to connect with their team members in person, they may be more engaged with team-building activities that foster connection.

There are also challenges to remote work that can impact culture. For example, distance and differing schedules can cause misalignment and miscommunication.

Additionally, with the line between home and work blurred, workers may end up working long hours and have difficulty taking breaks and signing off at the end of the day or on weekends. This can create an unhealthy burnout culture that stretches your team thin and makes employees feel like they have to be available to each other at all times of day or night.

Understanding these pros and cons of remote work and how they can impact your culture can help you strategically develop your remote culture.

5 culture-boosting remote working tools

Technology is your friend when it comes to remote work. And fortunately, there are tons of options and solutions to help remote teams stay connected and productive from anywhere.

Focus on remote working tools that streamline communication, enable collaboration, and reduce friction for workers—whether that’s tracking work assignments or following up with coworkers.

• Zoom helps teams build connection with face-to-face interaction. Features like breakout rooms and screen sharing make it easy for teams to collaborate. Real-time human interaction is great for participating in team-building activities like virtual happy hours.
• Slack is a good option for keeping team communication clear and fun—from tracking work and checking in to fostering team connection with water-cooler chats and sub-channels for special interests.
• Lucidspark is a virtual collaboration tool that makes it easy for teams to communicate and brainstorm in real-time (or asynchronously). The infinite whiteboard is your canvas for sharing ideas, sketching projects, and planning work. Use it for work or play to promote team connection and streamline communication and collaboration from afar.
• Blink is a remote work management app that optimizes mobile employee experiences. It includes features like calendar management, discussion boards, and a newsfeed—making it easy for employees to stay connected on the go.
• Quantum Workplace takes the guesswork out of remote employee engagement with intuitive performance management solutions, intelligent data analysis, and integrated feedback, recognition, and survey tools so employees and leaders can stay connected, aligned, and on track.

4 strategies for building a remote work culture

You know culture is important. But how can you actually build a remote work culture if your employees aren’t physically together? Here are 4 strategies to get started:

1. Find out what your employees think.

To build a strong culture, you first need to understand what your current culture is and how your employees experience it. The easiest way to do this is to ask!

Send out an employee survey with questions and ranking statements like:

• I believe in the work that we do.
• I understand and support our organization’s mission and vision.
• I like the culture of this organization.
• Our culture supports the mission and vision of the organization.
• The leaders of the organization contribute to the positive culture of this organization.
• We have a culture of (recognition, feedback, transparency, etc.).

A culture survey can give you insights into what is working well and opportunities to improve so you can target your culture-building efforts strategically.

2. Make culture part of your strategy.

If you don’t have a plan, you’re not going to achieve the results you hope for. And this applies to company culture too. Culture is built with intention, so include remote work as part of your overall organizational and engagement strategy.

By prioritizing culture and approaching engagement, you can better address barriers to remote work and ensure your talent initiatives align with the culture you’re trying to create.

3. Promote activities that build connection.

Working remotely doesn’t mean you can’t feel close to your team. Make time for activities other than work communication to foster team connection remotely .

This can be as simple as taking 5 minutes at the beginning of your weekly team meetings to share about your weekends or scheduling virtual team breaks together to get to know each other. Small steps like these go a long way towards creating a welcoming, inclusive, and positive hybrid team.

4. Recognize achievement.

People want to know that they matter—and this doesn’t change when they work outside the office. But working remotely can make it easy for employee contributions to go unnoticed. Don’t let that happen.

Make employee recognition an integral part of your remote work culture and engagement strategy. Show appreciation for achievements big and small, both publicly and privately, so your employees know their work is valued.

A positive remote work culture won’t happen overnight. Create a plan and work on cultivating a strong culture for the long run.

Engaging employees from afar will look different than some of your go-to in-office initiatives. However, there are overlapping strategies and many shared principles.

Just like your in-house employees, remote workers want to feel part of the company culture and team. They want to know their work is valued and that their contributions matter. And they want to see a future at the company that allows them to grow and develop.

Of course, meeting these needs and expectations can be tricky when you’re not all gathered in a shared office. Below are a few ideas for keeping your remote employees engaged from day one.

Remote work and employee engagement

Despite the many advantages and benefits of remote work, employee engagement isn’t a given. Engaging remote employees will require strategic efforts and ongoing evaluation.

In other words, it’s not enough to throw in virtual happy hours or remote perks. Real, lasting engagement goes deeper than that. It’s about knowing what your employees need and want and making sure your culture, processes, and policies support them.

12 employee engagement ideas for remote workers

Engaging remote employees isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. You’ll need a multi-pronged strategy to meet your employees where they are and ensure they have the tools and support they need to stay engaged long-term.

Here are 12 engagement ideas for remote workers :

• Stay connected through technology
• Show appreciation and recognition for their contributions
• Prioritize team building
• Give employees the right tools and resources
• Set clear expectations
• Streamline communication processes
• Ask for and give constructive feedback
• Keep workers in the loop on company news and changes
• Be flexible and empathetic
• Implement a clear onboarding process
• Hold regular team meetings
• Check in for consistent one-on-ones

Building an engaged remote team is an ongoing process. Keep these tips in mind when crafting your strategy for engaging remote employees.

Surveys play a crucial role in understanding your remote employees’ needs, preferences, and unique challenges.

In addition to regular one-on-one meetings and team check-ins, pulse surveys help leaders “get a pulse” of their remote teams to see how things are going. They give people leaders valuable insight into what’s working and what’s not, and help identify gaps or opportunities in performance and engagement initiatives.

Pulse surveys are short, focused questionnaires, typically just 5-15 questions on a given topic. A remote work survey could focus on:

• Remote work effectiveness
• Remote work planning
• Workplace reopening or return to work
• Work-from-home lessons learned
• Remote team culture
• Remote team communication

Pick a focus for your survey and craft questions around that theme. Remote work survey questions might include:

• I feel supported by my manager when working from home.
• I feel connected to my team when working from home.
• I feel informed about the organization’s goals and priorities when working from home.
• Please explain your ideal work environment (hybrid, remote, at the office) and why.
• My team has the tools and resources needed to support remote work.
• I can effectively coach my team members when they work remotely.
• To manage a remote team, what tools, resources, or training do you need to be effective?

Pulse surveys not only allow you to get feedback on a specific topic, but they also allow you to target specific groups or teams of employees so you can take strategic localized action.

Onboarding plays a fundamental role in engaging your remote employees and setting them up for long-term success with your company.

According to SHRM, employee turnover can be as high as 50% in the first 18 months of employment. That’s a huge cost for companies who have invested time and money to hire and train new recruits. But building a strong onboarding program can help reduce turnover and give remote employees the tools and support they need to do well—and want to stick around.

The next logical question, of course, is how do you onboard new employees when you’re remote? Here are few things to consider:

1. Prepare their set-up.

Since remote employees aren’t coming into your office, they won’t necessarily come equipped with all the tools they need to be successful. Before they even start work, make sure they have what they need to get started, such as Wi-Fi capacity, user logins, and access, conferencing tools. You might even include a stipend for workers to use to set up their own work-from-home office and desk station.

2. Convert onboarding materials for virtual learning.

This includes any organizational charts, company benefits packages, training manuals, contracts, employee handbooks, etc. Make sure they have permission to access these documents and walk through them with your employee so they understand how to find the information they need.

3. Make introductions.

During the first week, set up virtual introductory calls with team members and other leaders to help them get to know who they will be working with and start building those relationships from the beginning.

The main goal is to make sure your remote hires feel welcomed, supported, and included from day one. Don’t drop them in and let them sink or swim.

Give them the tools they need to succeed and regularly check-in and check up on them to see how they are adjusting, identify any challenges they may be facing, answer questions, and create opportunities for coaching and long-term development. These are the building blocks of engaged and productive employees no matter where they do their work.

One of the biggest fears and challenges for remote managers is how to lead their teams from afar . Keeping track of performance and building a strong team culture can feel daunting when you’re not all in an office together.

But ultimately, managing people remotely relies on many of the same leadership principles as in-house management.

People want to be trusted to do their work, they want to be recognized for their contributions and feel a sense of purpose in their work, and they want regular feedback so they can continue to grow and develop.

When leaders understand these core values and needs, they can better manage their teams no matter where they’re located.

4 tips for managing team dynamics while remote

Of course, the dynamics of a remote team are different from an in-house team. When people aren’t sharing an office space, they don’t have the same opportunities for connection, communication, or collaboration.

In other words, how, where, and when they work will look different from in-house employees (and maybe even from each other if they are on flexible schedules or different time zones).

That’s why remote managers need to pay special attention to managing and promoting positive remote team dynamics.

1. Prioritize clear and consistent communication.

We’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again. The number one way to effectively manage remote teams is to prioritize effective communication.

Make sure you have clear processes in place for how and when your team will communicate with each other. This will streamline your workflows, build trust, and ensure accountability across the board.

2. Build trust and connection.

People need to trust each other in order to do good work. Foster trust and connection through honest communication, feedback, and team-building exercises. Work with your team to establish clear expectations and boundaries so everyone is on the same page and can take ownership of their work.

3. Explore new ways to collaborate.

Collaboration traditionally looks like everyone in a room brainstorming and meeting together. With remote teams, collaborating must happen virtually. Experiment with different tools and strategies for collaboration.

Collaboration can happen in real-time with meeting tools like Zoom or Lucidspark, but it can also happen asynchronously—with team members contributing to the conversation at different times of the day or week and following up on the work later. Try different tools and channels to see what works for your specific team based on workflows, goals, preferences, and personalities.

4. Run effective meetings.

Meetings are your most expensive management tool. Make sure you’re getting value out of them by running effective virtual meetings —whether those are one-on-ones, group collaboration sessions, or team meetings.

Plan out regular meetings ahead of time on the calendar so everyone knows when they need to be available. Send out agendas so everyone is prepared. And choose and use your communication tools wisely—remember that sometimes simple is better, and not all shiny features are necessary for leading a productive, focused meeting.

4 remote work team building ideas

Don’t let physical distance create emotional distance between your team members. Take time to intentionally build connections among your employees and cultivate a cohesive, remote team.

Remote team building doesn’t have to be complicated either. Here are a few simple ways to get the ball rolling.

1. Get-to-know-you games.

People work better together when they know and trust one another. Break the ice and help your employees build stronger relationships with easy but fun get-to-know-you games that spark conversation like:

• Match the fact to the person
• Would you rather
• 2 truths and a lie

Just remember to keep it PG.

2. Office trivia.

Collect facts and trivia about people on your team (and even the company in general) and see how well you each know your coworkers. This is a fun way to learn more about each other and build team spirit with some healthy, low-stakes competition.

3. Team retreats.

Annual team or company retreats are a great way to bring people together in person for some deeper team bonding. If your company can afford to, set aside a weekend for a casual retreat to strengthen team connections and company culture and make shared memories.

4. Virtual happy hours.

Sometimes work breaks and meetings are too stuffy for people to open up and connect more genuinely. Virtual happy hours are a fun way to wind down at the end of the day and enjoy more casual conversation and company. You can host them on Zoom and invite the team to make their own drinks at home—bonus if they share their favorite recipes!

No matter where your employees are, managers are tasked with helping them do their jobs successfully. But managing employee performance remotely can be daunting. Here are a few ways to keep performance on track.

1. Stay connected with regular one-on-one meetings.

One-on-ones are a crucial tool in the remote manager’s toolbox. When your team is remote, you don’t have the same opportunities to connect with your team organically—from popping over to their desk for a quick chat to catching up in the break room.

This means dedicated check-ins are even more critical to building trusted relationships with your remote employees and taking the pulse on their work performance.

Stay connected and involved with regularly scheduled one-on-one meetings —we recommend at least once a month, but for remote teams, more frequent check-ins can be especially beneficial. This not only allows you to monitor and support individual employees’ performance, but it also gives you a clearer picture of the entire team’s performance so nothing falls through the cracks.

2. Align hybrid and remote teams with strategic goals.

When your teams are distributed, it’s easy for the right hand to be ignorant of what the left hand is doing. Misalignment can lead to missed deadlines, unclear accountabilities, miscommunication, and lower quality customer service across the organization.

That’s why it’s important to align teams on strategic goals . When your teams are working together towards a shared purpose, this drives performance and accountability and makes it easier for leaders and their teams to prioritize their work and communicate from a place of unity.

3. Show employees your appreciation and support with recognition.

In the office or at home, employee recognition remains a key driver of employee engagement and performance. When employees are remote, it can be easy to feel disconnected or even invisible to the rest of the team or organization—especially if your workforce has a hybrid mix of in-office and at-home employees. That’s why it’s crucial to build employee recognition into your team culture.

There are several types of recognition:

• Peer-to-peer recognition
• Manager-to-employee recognition
• Anonymous recognition
• Private recognition
• Public recognition

Incorporating all of them into your recognition strategy based on employee preferences will ensure you meet the needs of your team and recognize employees in the ways that are most meaningful to them. As you recognize your remote workers, you will build their confidence, motivation, and sense of purpose and direction resulting in better performance and stronger engagement.

4. Boost trust and encourage development with performance feedback.

Employees can’t improve if they don’t know what to work on. That’s why feedback is so important. Make sure feedback is:

• Timely 
• Constructive

Cultivate a feedback culture that goes both ways—top-down and bottom-up so that both employees and leaders have a chance to give and receive constructive input.

Ask for feedback during one-on-ones, team meetings, and through surveys to get insight on how your team members are feeling and identify ways you or the company can improve.

Regular, constructive feedback from managers, coaches, and peers can help remote employees understand what is expected, identify areas for improvement, and better align their efforts with the overall goals of the team and organization.

Professional development is a key driver of employee engagement—whether they’re in the office or remote. Professional development helps employees feel a greater sense of purpose and direction, increased motivation and sets employees up for successful long-term careers with your company.

But you can’t take professional development for granted. Developing your remote employees requires strategic planning, honest communication, and consistency.

Here are a few best practices to prioritize and optimize remote employee development :

• Find out what your remote employees want and expect for their future and have honest conversations about how to help them achieve their goals.
• Use one-on-ones to identify opportunities for growth, ensure they have the tools and resources they need to succeed and coach them on ways to improve.
• Invest in virtual learning resources and programs for remote employees to access from anywhere. This can include a free digital library of resources, access to company subscriptions for online learning platforms, and regular virtual company training, webinars, and lunch n’ learns.
• Consider building a remote mentorship program, pairing senior employees with newer or early-career team members. This will not only help employees progress in their careers but also build a strong connected culture among your teams and organization.

When employees aren’t sharing a workspace together, it takes extra effort to ensure teams feel connected and build a strong culture of trust.

Steps both large and small can add up to make a big difference—from holding regular virtual team meetings and communicating via video and Slack channels for personalities to shine through to implementing organization-wide policies that promote connection , inclusion, and wellbeing.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Employees who feel included and fairly treated are more likely to stick around and will have an easier time connecting with their coworkers. Luckily, remote work expands an organization’s opportunities to embrace diversity and inclusion because the talent pool is no longer limited to a specific location.

Instead, hiring managers can look outside the immediate area surrounding the office to recruit workers from a diverse range of locations, backgrounds, experiences, and identities—all of which can bring new perspectives, improve the culture of your organization, and create an inclusive environment for people to do their best work.

Additionally, remote work also makes it easier for people with disabilities or workers who need more flexible schedules (like caregivers), to pursue and succeed in full-time employment.

Understanding this, companies can build more inclusive and equitable remote work policies that attract and retain top talent from anywhere in the world. From opening up the interview process to remote video interviews to allowing flexible schedules for remote employees, remote-friendly policies can transform and empower your business to include and value employees no matter where they’re from or how and where they work.

Remote worker wellbeing.

Burnout is a real risk for both in-house and remote workers. Although remote workers tend to report having a better work-life balance as a result of greater flexibility (including time to visit the doctor), lack of a grueling commute, and more time to exercise and get outside, remote workers also tend to work more hours than their office counterparts and are less likely to take time off .

This means leaders need to be extra conscious of how their remote teams are doing and take proactive steps to promote employee wellbeing .

• Setting a "no-emails-after-6PM" policy
• Instituting a "no-work-on-weekends" policy to ensure employees get weekend breaks
• Checking in regularly with employees to see how they’re doing and make sure they aren’t overworked
• Educating yourself on the signs of burnout and looking for early warning signs on your team
• Allowing greater schedule flexibility so workers can manage their time in a way that works best for them
• Providing generous employee benefits including health and PTO so employees can prioritize their wellbeing

Building remote worker wellbeing into your policies and work culture will not only result in happier, healthier employees, but also reward you with a stronger culture, and a more productive and engaged workforce.

A bright, remote future

Whether full-time or hybrid, for many organizations remote work is here to stay. And as employees increasingly expect and demand flexibility and remote options, leaders will need to adapt to a new normal for managing remote teams.

Luckily, with the right technology and employee engagement solutions, managing remote workers can be just as rewarding—and productive—as managing an in-house team. Learn how to manage your remote teams and lead the way (remotely). Explore our solutions page for more information below.

Published May 27, 2021 | Written By Jocelyn Stange

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Productivity, Business and Life

How to Set up Your Business for Remote Working and Let Your Team Work Remotely

Remote working and virtual teams are in .

Employees are demanding it.

Employers are starting to see the benefits of it.

And with the recent COVID-19 outbreak, it helps everyone stay safe as we make our way through this crisis.

Remote working is not for everyone, but a lot of companies, or parts of companies, can do it.

For a lot of business owners, it isn’t immediately obvious how they can set up remote working arrangements for their staff.

As someone who recently transitioned a four-office thirty-something-person organisation over to remote working, here’s exactly how you go about it.

Table of Contents

Who Is Remote Working For?

I’ve written this guide specifically for business owners.

If you are an employee looking to make the most out of your existing remote working arrangement, head on over here for how to stay productive while working remotely .

Almost any non-storefront small or medium-sized business can set up remote working for their employees.

In particular, this is great for:

• Any service business based on knowledge work. 1 Almost all of which is done on computer nowadays. 2 With the exception being if you really have to be on client site.
• Any online business apart from the physical inventory side.
• Any business where most of the work is done on computer.

Some common examples of businesses that can implement remote working include:

• Professionals of any sort.
• Tutors and teachers of any sort.
• Coaches except for in-person trainers. 3 That being said, there are plenty of online personal trainers nowadays.
• Consultants of any sort.
• Ecommerce store owners who outsource their fulfilment.
• Development teams.

Businesses with storefronts or the need to see clients face-to-face can usually set up their back offices for remote working.

Why Should I Bother With Remote Working? What Are My Benefits as a Business Owner?

1. health issues: covid-19.

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: COVID-19.

If things go bad, you want your employees safe, happy, healthy and productive at home… not at-risk on public transport or in the office.

You also want them to continue working and producing, rather than just taking the time off .

With that out of the way, let’s look at some of the other benefits.

2. Benefits for your team

Your team will greatly benefit from remote working arrangements.

Now before you say “But that’s for them, not me” remember – when you have happy employees, they are more productive and this is better for the business.

How does remote working benefit your employees?

• They don’t have to commute, saving time and sanity for both them and you. 4 It’s also good for the environment.
• Remote working provides a higher degree of autonomy. Studies have shown that more work autonomy can lead to higher levels of job satisfaction, performance and creativity.

There is a bit of a magical effect that takes place when staff are able to work from home for the first time. It’s like the training wheels on their productivity have been removed, and they become incredibly efficient and productive.

3. Uncover the Slackers

One of the interesting things that happens with remote working arrangements, is you very quickly discover who has been slacking off at the office.

When you can’t use “sitting at their desk” as an indicator that someone is working, the only thing you can gauge productivity and performance on is results .

What you will find, is that some of your employees just don’t produce .

By setting up remote working arrangements, you uncover drop kick workers who needed to be replaced long ago.

4. Hire the best people

If your business can run with a virtual team of people in your own city, then why can’t your team consist of people from anywhere in the world?

Well, it can.

When you have the infrastructure and systems in place that allow for remote working, you can hire people from anywhere in the world .

This means you can hire the best consultants, the best designers, the best anything… no matter where they live and work. 5 You’ll also discover how truly convoluted your local employment and taxation laws are as well.

5. Your employees will work longer hours

Wait, what?

That’s right. Your employees will work longer hours.

One of the interesting things about remote working arrangements is that work-and-life tends to blur together for employees. 6 And they will finally know what it feels like to be a business owner 😈.

Most of them end up putting in more hours and producing more output when they’re able to work from home.

6. Modernisation of business systems

In the process of setting up remote working arrangements, you will be forced to update any antiquated systems and processes.

File folders, fax machines, landlines and file servers… will all go .

They will be replaced by faster, cheaper and more agile technologies and platforms that are today’s best practices and you will see your business’ output skyrocket as a result.

7. Lower overhead and costs

After an initial setup expense, letting your team work remotely can actually lower your costs.

You can reduce commercial lease costs by having a smaller or less expensive office.

You will also lower other fixed costs, as your employees will pay for their own heating/air-conditioning and Internet costs at home.

I have mentioned that because your team can work from anywhere, you can hire people from anywhere. You will discover that you can tap into better talent at a lower wage cost simply because they don’t live in your particular city.

You will also be surprised at how many staff will take less pay in return for flexibility in their schedule and remote working arrangements.

8. Benefits of remote working for you

When your entire team is remote, you (as the business owner) also get to be remote.

This means that you don’t have to micromanage your staff anymore, as work will become results-based.

You’ll free up your own schedule as well, and can put the extra time towards family/freedom/whatever you want.

Most business owners will actually discover that they can do everything in half the time every week , and wonder what they were doing for all those years.

How To Set Up Remote Working In Your Business

Now that you know why you are letting your team work remotely, let’s look at how to set it all up .

1. Handle your inner game as a business owner

The first part of setting up your business for remote working is to handle your own inner game (mindset) as a business owner.

You need to make a clear decision that this is what you want to do and that while it will work… there may be a couple of hiccups along the way, and that’s OK.

Once you have done that, you need to learn to trust your staff .

“But wait Aaron, I already trust my staff.”

OK then: do you feel the need to monitor your staff while they work from home?

If you answered no, then you’re all good – jump ahead to the next section .

If you answered yes, you have some work to do.

By far the most common comment I get from clients setting up remote teams is “But I don’t have a system for monitoring my staff”. 7 I especially hear this a lot from Asian business owners.

You don’t need to monitor your staff.

Your staff are supposed to be responsible adults. You are supposed to assess their work, not the number of hours they sit in a chair.

You need to trust them to do their work, and be prepared to take action if they don’t deliver.

Another way to look at it is this:

A good worker is a good worker, regardless of if they are remote or not.

If an employee goes remote and after an initial adjustment period their work performance remains low… that means that they were not a good worker to begin with, and should have been let go long ago.

2. Set up your infrastructure and systems for working remotely

Onto the fun part, your systems and infrastructure .

Your business needs to be paperless or at least have everything in digital duplicate for this to work well.

You want to have as many of your systems in the cloud as possible , including:

• Workflow/CRM.
• Project/task management.
• Email, contacts, calendars .
• Time tracking for client work.

You want to have solid communication tools set up, including:

• Team chat, for example, Slack .
• Phones for team members that need them. 8 For team members who don’t need an office number, they have their personal phones.
• Video conferencing technologies like Zoom .

You will also need to have your workforce on laptops as much as possible. You can also let some of them use their home computers, or let them take a machine home from the office. 9 Be sure to check your security, legislative and insurance requirements first.

3. Set up a hierarchy of communication

See my guide to the Business Hierarchy of Communication .

It covers what messages are to be sent over what mediums (calls, DMs, emails etc) and more importantly, why.

4. Set up your team alignment for remote working

Hopefully you have your company’s strategic plan in place already.

From this you will also have a suitable meeting rhythm set up so that you can align everyone to the company’s priorities on a regular basis .

If you don’t, then at the very minimum you should have a system of daily huddles/standups or written daily updates.

A daily huddle/standup is a brief daily call that aligns your team for the day.

Daily updates are a quick note that each staff member writes in your corporate wiki that lists:

• Their tasks.
• Who they need to get in touch with.

Daily updates are great for accountability and force team members to solidify what they are doing each day by writing it down.

5. Implement remote working with your team

When all the above is in place, you need to have an in-person conversation with your team and explain the ground rules to them .

You may wish to start with a couple of trusted staff members first, and see how well they adapt.

It needs to be made clear that this is a trial arrangement and that remote working is a privilege, not a right . Not following any of the rules is grounds for dismissal. 10 Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. Check with your lawyer for local employment laws.

Here are some things I recommend all business owners explain and expect of their staff:

• There may be some set overlap hours, where everyone is expected to be working and online at the same time. This is to facilitate meetings , calls and workflow.
• Outside those hours, working hours are flexible. You won’t be monitoring employees anyway, so it shouldn’t really matter what hours they are working.
• Work must get done. No exceptions.
• Messages must be answered promptly during normal business hours. No exceptions.
• If they have to come to the office, they must be on time and there is to be no fuss.
• If a call has been scheduled where multiple people are dialling in, everyone must be on time .
• A certain amount of flexibility is to be given by both the business and employees, because sometimes business and life are complicated, and things happen.
• Everything must be written down in the CRM/task management system. If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen.
• They’re welcome to come to the office whenever they want as per normal if that’s what they prefer.
• What people write and how they write it is super important. Tonality and meaning can get muddled over text. To avoid any misunderstandings, it is better to err on the side of being explicit.
• Read my article on how to remain productive while working remotely from home .

Common Concerns With Remote Working

Here are the most common concerns that business owners have with remote working arrangements.

How do we see clients?

As mentioned, businesses that still have to see clients face-to-face can at least set up their back offices to be remote.

Or they can have remote working arrangements where staff only come into the office for client meetings.

Remote working is not an all-or-nothing proposition. You can maintain perhaps a smaller office for client meetings and spend the majority of time working remotely.

I think most business owners will also find it surprising just how many clients are comfortable with talking over a video call nowadays.

How do I know my employees are working?

Go back and read this section .

This is all in your head.

Any kind of monitoring system or always-on video system is just plain silly. 11 I won’t name and shame the companies that make these apps and systems.

The amazing thing about remote working is that work either gets done or it doesn’t.

If it gets done, people are working.

If it doesn’t get done, people are not working.

There is no hiding behind excuses of “Oh I got caught up in client calls all day” or “I had so many admin tasks today”.

As a business owner you care about the value that your team produces, not how many hours they sit in an office chair under fluorescent lights.

It used to be that companies going remote would consider that some staff do well under remote working arrangements and some don’t, but that isn’t the case anymore.

Let’s be honest – if someone needs someone else to look over their shoulder in order for them to work , you don’t want that person working for you.

The employment market is now competitive enough that you don’t have to accommodate people like this. 12 Plus you know, you can now hire people from anywhere in the world.

The fact that you are reading this article means you are a business owner who is looking to improve things for both your team and your customers.

Businesses like this are rare, and pretty awesome. You should not have to accommodate staff who don’t produce when not micromanaged.

How can we communicate quickly if we can’t talk in person?

Set up a proper hierarchy of communication and your staff will be just as accessible as they were in the office.

Isn’t all the equipment needed for this expensive?

There will be some initial expenditure, mostly in the form of laptops and phones and perhaps software if you aren’t already set up for that.

All these things represent the direction that business technology is headed in anyway, and are items you would have had to upgrade to eventually.

What about offices in different timezones or locations?

Different locations and timezones is actually less of a problem with remote working arrangements.

This is because people working from home end up working all sorts of strange hours and you usually end up with more overlap than with everyone at singular offices.

The best thing to do is to agree on some standard overlap hours between timezones if it’s required.

Does this mean I have to give everyone unlimited vacation days?

No, this is entirely up to you.

Some companies offer unlimited vacation days and I think it’s good practice, but it has nothing to do with working remote.

What To Do Next

This guide has given you enough starting points to implement remote working arrangements in your business.

You can read more about essential apps for remote work here , how remote working differs from a traditional office here , and share this work from home guide with your team here .

• Almost all of which is done on computer nowadays.
• With the exception being if you really have to be on client site.
• That being said, there are plenty of online personal trainers nowadays.
• It’s also good for the environment.
• Saragih, S. (2011). The Effects of Job Autonomy on Work Outcomes: Self Efficacy as an Intervening Variable. International Research Journal of Business Studies, 4, 203-215. doi:10.21632/irjbs.4.3.203-215
• Sia, S. K. & Appu, A. (2015). Work Autonomy and Workplace Creativity: Moderating Role of Task Complexity. Global Business Review, 16, 772-784. doi:10.1177/0972150915591435
• You’ll also discover how truly convoluted your local employment and taxation laws are as well.
• And they will finally know what it feels like to be a business owner 😈.
• I especially hear this a lot from Asian business owners.
• For team members who don’t need an office number, they have their personal phones.
• Be sure to check your security, legislative and insurance requirements first.
• Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. Check with your lawyer for local employment laws.
• I won’t name and shame the companies that make these apps and systems.
• Plus you know, you can now hire people from anywhere in the world.

Photos by KAL VISUALS and Allie Smith .

How To Create a Remote Work Consultancy Business Plan

By alex ryzhkov, resources on remote work consultancy service.

• Financial Model
• Business Plan
• Value Proposition
• One-Page Business Plan
• SWOT Analysis
• Business Model
• Marketing Plan

Welcome to our blog post on how to write a business plan for a remote work consultancy service! With the rise of remote work in recent years, the need for expert guidance in implementing and optimizing remote work arrangements has never been greater. In fact, according to the latest statistics, the remote work industry is projected to grow at a staggering rate of 22% by 2025 . If you're considering starting a remote work consultancy service in the business and technology industry, this checklist will guide you through the essential steps to ensure your success.

First and foremost, it's crucial to identify your target market and niche. By understanding who your ideal clients are and what specific needs they have when it comes to remote work, you can tailor your services to meet their requirements and differentiate yourself from competitors.

Next, conducting thorough market research is essential. This will help you gain insights into the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the remote work industry. By staying up to date with industry developments, you can position yourself as a knowledgeable and reliable expert.

Identifying your competition and analyzing their strengths and weaknesses is another crucial step. This will enable you to learn from their successes and failures while identifying unique selling points that will set your consultancy service apart.

Once you have a clear understanding of your target market and competition, it's time to define the services and solutions you will offer. This may include guidance on selecting the right communication tools, establishing efficient workflows, ensuring cybersecurity measures, and providing training and ongoing support to maximize productivity and employee satisfaction.

Developing a pricing strategy is vital to ensure your services are competitive and profitable. Consider factors such as the value you provide, the level of expertise required, and the current market rates when determining your pricing model.

Additionally, it's essential to determine the necessary resources and infrastructure for your remote work consultancy service. This may include technological tools, software platforms, and a knowledgeable team of experts.

Formulating a comprehensive marketing and sales plan is crucial to attract clients and generate revenue. This may involve creating a strong online presence through a website and social media platforms, as well as implementing targeted advertising and networking strategies.

Identifying potential strategic partnerships can also greatly benefit your consultancy service. Collaborating with complementary businesses or industry experts can expand your network and offer additional value to your clients.

Lastly, outlining a financial plan and projections will help you understand the financial feasibility and potential profitability of your remote work consultancy service. This will involve estimating costs, setting revenue targets, and ensuring that your business is financially sustainable in the long term.

Identify Target Market And Niche

In order to successfully launch and grow a remote work consultancy service, it is essential to identify your target market and niche . By focusing on a specific market segment, you can tailor your services to meet their unique needs and stand out from the competition.

Start by conducting research to identify industries or sectors that are likely to benefit from remote work arrangements and are actively seeking guidance in implementing and optimizing these arrangements. Consider factors such as the size of the businesses, their level of technology adoption, and their openness to remote work.

Here are some tips to help you:

• Research industry trends: Keep up-to-date with the latest industry trends and developments in remote work. This will help you understand which businesses are most likely to require your services.
• Narrow down your target market: Instead of targeting all businesses, narrow down your focus to a specific niche. For example, you could specialize in providing remote work solutions for technology startups or creative agencies.
• Identify pain points: Determine the main challenges faced by your target market when it comes to remote work. This will help you position your services as a solution to their problems.
• Consider geographical location: Remote work is not limited by location, but some industries or regions may have a higher demand for remote work consultancy services. Identify areas where remote work adoption is on the rise.

By conducting thorough research and narrowing down your target market and niche, you can create a focused and effective business plan for your remote work consultancy service.

Conduct Market Research

Before launching your remote work consultancy service, conducting thorough market research is crucial to ensure a solid foundation for your business. This step will provide valuable insights into your target market, allowing you to tailor your services and strategies accordingly.

Start by identifying the specific industry or industries within the business and technology sector that you will primarily serve. Consider factors like market size, growth potential, and customer needs. This will help you establish your niche and develop a focused approach.

Next, gather data and information about your target market, including demographics, industry trends, and customer preferences. This can be done through surveys, interviews, online research, and analyzing industry reports.

Look for gaps or unmet needs in the market that your consultancy service can address. This will help you position yourself as a valuable resource to potential clients.

Pay attention to your competitors as well. Identify other remote work consultancy services in the market and analyze their strengths and weaknesses. This will help you differentiate your services and identify areas where you can excel.

Tips for conducting market research:

• Utilize online survey tools or platforms to gather quantitative data.
• Conduct interviews or focus groups with target audience members to gather qualitative insights.
• Stay updated with industry news, reports, and publications to identify emerging trends.
• Use social media listening tools to monitor conversations and gather insights about your target market.

Identify Competition And Analyze Their Strengths And Weaknesses

In order to position your remote work consultancy service in the market effectively, it is crucial to identify your competition and analyze their strengths and weaknesses. This step will give you valuable insights into what sets your service apart and how to differentiate yourself from others in the industry.

When researching your competition, begin by identifying businesses that offer similar services to yours in the business and technology industry. Look for companies that specialize in remote work consulting or provide related services such as IT support, project management, or HR consulting.

• Analyze their strengths: Take note of what your competitors excel at. Do they have a strong customer base or a well-established brand? Are they known for their expertise in specific areas of remote work implementation or technology solutions? Understanding their strengths will help you identify areas where you can differentiate your services or learn from their success.
• Identify their weaknesses: Look for gaps or shortcomings in your competitors' offerings. Are there any common complaints or issues raised by their clients? Is there a specific area of remote work consulting where they are lacking expertise or support? Identifying these weaknesses will help you tailor your services to address those gaps and provide added value to your target market.
• Consider conducting a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis to further evaluate your competition. This analysis can help you identify potential opportunities and threats in the market.
• Focus not only on direct competitors but also on indirect competitors who may provide alternative solutions to remote work challenges.

By identifying and analyzing your competition's strengths and weaknesses, you can develop a strategy to differentiate your remote work consultancy service and provide unique value to your target market. This understanding will guide your business decisions, allowing you to position yourself effectively in the market and meet the specific needs of your clients.

Define The Services And Solutions To Be Offered

In order to establish your remote work consultancy service, it is essential to clearly define the services and solutions you will offer to your clients. This step will help you showcase your expertise and attract potential customers. Carefully consider the specific needs and challenges that businesses in the Business & Technology Industry face when transitioning to remote work arrangements.

First and foremost, you should offer tailored guidance to small businesses on implementing and optimizing remote work arrangements. This can include providing insights on selecting the right communication tools, establishing efficient workflows, ensuring cybersecurity measures, and offering training and ongoing support to maximize productivity and employees' satisfaction.

Communication and collaboration solutions are pivotal for remote teams, so you may consider offering advice and assistance in selecting tools such as project management software, video conferencing platforms, and team messaging applications. This will help businesses streamline their communication processes and foster collaboration among their remote employees.

Workflow optimization is another critical aspect of successful remote work arrangements. You can develop methodologies and provide recommendations on organizing tasks, prioritizing projects, and monitoring progress. Offering insights on how businesses can adapt their existing workflows to remote work settings can greatly enhance their efficiency and productivity.

Cybersecurity measures should be a priority for companies transitioning to remote work. You can offer services related to assessing and implementing secure data storage and backup solutions, advising on secure remote access tools, and providing training on best practices for safeguarding sensitive information. Addressing cybersecurity concerns will help establish trust with your clients and ensure the protection of their valuable data.

Additionally, consider offering training and ongoing support to help businesses navigate the challenges of remote work. This can include online workshops, webinars, and personalized consultations to address any questions or issues that arise during the transition or in the long term.

• Stay up-to-date with the latest remote work trends and technologies to offer cutting-edge solutions to your clients.
• Customize your services based on the specific needs of each client to provide personalized solutions.
• Consider offering bundled service packages to cater to different business sizes and budgets.

Develop A Pricing Strategy

Developing a pricing strategy is a crucial step in establishing a successful remote work consultancy service. Your pricing strategy should take into consideration various factors such as the value you provide, market demand, and competition. Here are some important considerations:

• Define your value proposition: Determine the unique benefits and value your consultancy service offers to clients. This could include expertise in the business and technology industry, specialized knowledge in remote work arrangements, and the ability to optimize productivity and employee satisfaction.
• Research market demand and competitors: Analyze the pricing structures of competitors in the remote work consultancy industry. Understand the range of pricing options available and the value they deliver. Consider adjusting your pricing strategy accordingly to maintain competitiveness.
• Consider different pricing models: Assess various pricing models such as hourly rates, fixed project fees, or retainer-based pricing. Each model has its advantages and disadvantages, so choose the one that aligns with your service offering and target market needs.
• Factor in your costs: Calculate the costs associated with providing your consultancy services, including overhead expenses, employee salaries, training, and ongoing support. Ensure that your pricing strategy covers these costs while allowing for profitability.
• Offer different service tiers: Consider providing different service tiers with varying levels of support and expertise. This allows you to cater to a wider range of clients with different budgets and needs.
• Implement pricing flexibility: While it's important to have a standardized pricing structure, be open to negotiation and offering customized packages for clients with unique requirements. This flexibility can help you attract and retain valuable customers.
• Regularly review and adjust your pricing strategy based on market trends and feedback from clients.
• Consider offering introductory discounts or loyalty programs to attract and retain customers.
• Monitor your competitors' pricing strategies to stay competitive and ensure your pricing remains fair and reasonable.

Determine The Necessary Resources And Infrastructure

When starting a remote work consultancy service, it is crucial to determine the necessary resources and infrastructure to ensure smooth operations and effectively deliver your services. Here are some important factors to consider:

• Technology: Invest in reliable and up-to-date technology infrastructure to support remote work. This includes high-speed internet connections, secure communication tools, project management software, and video conferencing platforms.
• Hardware: Equip yourself with the necessary hardware, such as laptops, smartphones, headsets, and webcams, to facilitate smooth communication and collaboration with clients and team members.
• Software: Identify the software tools required to offer your services efficiently. This may include collaboration tools, cybersecurity software, time tracking systems, and client management software.
• Workspace: Set up a dedicated workspace that promotes productivity and supports a professional work environment. Consider ergonomics, adequate lighting, and comfortable furniture.
• Training and Development: Recognize the importance of continuous learning and skill development. Allocate resources for training and professional development programs to stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in remote work consultancy.
• Research and compare different technology solutions before investing to ensure you choose the most suitable options for your specific needs.
• Consider scalability when selecting resources and infrastructure to accommodate potential business growth.
• Regularly evaluate and update your technology stack to stay competitive in the ever-evolving remote work landscape.

By carefully determining and investing in the necessary resources and infrastructure, you can position your remote work consultancy service for success and deliver exceptional value to your clients.

Formulate A Marketing And Sales Plan

Once you have defined your services and solutions, it is crucial to develop a comprehensive marketing and sales plan to effectively promote and sell your remote work consultancy service. This plan will help you attract potential clients, establish your brand presence, and ultimately drive sales.

1. Identify your target audience: Determine the specific businesses and industries that would benefit most from your remote work consultancy services. Consider factors such as company size, location, and industry focus to create targeted marketing campaigns.

2. Craft a compelling value proposition: Clearly articulate the unique value and benefits your consultancy service offers to potential clients. Highlight how your tailored guidance can help small businesses optimize their remote work arrangements and enhance productivity and employee satisfaction.

3. Establish your online presence: Create a professional website that showcases your expertise and the services you offer. Utilize search engine optimization techniques to ensure your website ranks well in search results when potential clients search for remote work consultancy services.

• Use high-quality visuals and testimonials to build trust with potential clients.
• Regularly update your website with informative blog posts and industry insights to establish yourself as a thought leader.
• Optimize your website for mobile devices to reach a wider audience.

4. Leverage social media: Utilize social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to connect with your target audience and share valuable content related to remote work best practices. Engage with your followers, participate in relevant industry discussions, and establish your consultancy service as a credible source of information.

5. Develop a content marketing strategy: Create informative and engaging content such as e-books, whitepapers, and case studies that address the pain points and challenges faced by small businesses in implementing remote work arrangements. Share this content through your website, social media, and email marketing campaigns to attract potential clients and position yourself as a trusted advisor.

6. Implement email marketing: Build an email list of potential clients who have shown interest in remote work consultancy services. Develop targeted email campaigns to nurture leads, educate prospects about the value of your consultancy service, and ultimately convert them into paying clients.

7. Utilize online advertising: Consider investing in online advertising platforms such as Google Ads or social media ads to reach a wider audience. Develop targeted ads that highlight your unique value proposition and drive potential clients to your website or landing pages.

8. Establish strategic partnerships: Identify other businesses or professionals in complementary industries that could benefit from referring clients to your consultancy service. Build relationships with these potential partners and explore mutually beneficial referral programs to expand your reach and drive sales.

9. Track and measure your marketing efforts: Regularly analyze the performance of your marketing and sales activities to determine what strategies are most effective in generating leads and converting them into clients. Utilize analytics tools to track website traffic, email campaign performance, and conversion rates to make data-driven decisions and optimize your marketing efforts.

With a well-formulated marketing and sales plan in place, you will be equipped to effectively promote your remote work consultancy service, acquire new clients, and establish a strong presence in the market.

Identify Potential Strategic Partnerships

When starting a remote work consultancy service, partnering with other businesses can be mutually beneficial and help you reach a wider audience. By identifying potential strategic partnerships, you can leverage the expertise, resources, and networks of these companies to enhance your service offerings and increase your competitive edge.

Here are some steps to consider when identifying potential strategic partnerships:

• Research the market: Look for businesses that complement your remote work consultancy service and cater to the same target market. This can include technology companies, HR firms, or other service providers that align with your expertise.
• Evaluate reputation and credibility: It is essential to partner with reputable businesses that have a strong track record in their respective industries. Research their reputation, client reviews, and any accolades they have received to ensure they are a trustworthy and valuable partner.
• Assess compatibility and synergy: Consider the values, goals, and culture of potential partners to ensure compatibility and synergy. A strong alignment in these areas can lead to a successful collaboration and ensure a seamless integration of services for clients.

Tips for Identifying Potential Strategic Partnerships:

• Attend industry events and conferences to network with potential partners and stay updated on industry trends.
• Utilize social media platforms, professional networks, and online forums to connect with companies offering complementary services.
• Reach out to your existing clients to inquire about any preferred partners or collaborations they may recommend.
• Consider partnerships with local businesses to tap into the regional market and build trust within the community.
• Establish clear goals and objectives for the partnership to ensure both parties have a shared vision and can work towards a common goal.

Remember, strategic partnerships are valuable opportunities to expand your reach, access new resources, and enhance your offerings. Identifying the right partners can strengthen your business and create long-term success in the remote work consultancy industry.

Outline A Financial Plan And Projections

Creating a financial plan and projections is crucial for the success and growth of your remote work consultancy service. It provides a roadmap for your business, helps you make informed decisions, and demonstrates your understanding of the financial aspects of your venture. To outline your financial plan and projections, consider the following:

• Research and analyze costs: Start by identifying all the costs associated with running your remote work consultancy service. This includes expenses like office rent (if applicable), utilities, software licenses, salaries, marketing, and more. Conduct thorough research to accurately estimate these costs and analyze their impact on your financial plan.
• Create revenue projections: Based on your target market and services, develop revenue projections. Consider factors such as the number of clients you can reasonably expect to attract, the pricing strategy you've determined, and any potential seasonal fluctuations in demand. Be realistic yet optimistic when setting goals for your revenue.
• Project cash flow: Determine how money will flow in and out of your business on a monthly basis. Estimate incoming revenue from clients and any other sources, and forecast your expenses. This will help you identify potential cash flow issues and plan accordingly to ensure your business stays financially stable.
• Assess break-even point and profitability: Calculate the break-even point for your remote work consultancy service, which is the point at which your revenue covers all expenses. This will help you understand how many clients or projects you need to reach to become profitable. Consider various scenarios and adjust your pricing and operational strategies accordingly.
• Be conservative with your revenue projections to account for unforeseen circumstances or slower-than-expected growth.
• Regularly review and update your financial plan and projections as your business evolves. This allows you to remain adaptable and make informed decisions based on new data.
• Consider seeking professional advice from an accountant or financial advisor to ensure accuracy and reliability in your financial forecast.

In conclusion, developing a comprehensive business plan is essential for the success of a remote work consultancy service in the Business & Technology Industry. By following the nine steps outlined in this checklist, entrepreneurs can effectively identify their target market, understand the competition, define their services, establish a pricing strategy, allocate necessary resources, devise marketing and sales plans, identify potential partnerships, and create a financial projection.

With a well-prepared business plan, remote work consultants can confidently navigate the competitive landscape and position themselves as experts in providing tailored guidance on implementing and optimizing remote work arrangements. By prioritizing the needs of small businesses and offering services focused on communication tools, efficient workflows, cybersecurity measures, and employee training, they can drive productivity and enhance employee satisfaction.

By following these steps, aspiring remote work consultancy service providers can lay a solid foundation for their business, and increase their chances of achieving long-term success in the rapidly growing remote work industry.

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How To Run A Remote Business? - Tried And Tested Tips

Remote businesses saw the light of the day in the past few years.

In 2020, remote business opportunities made entrepreneurs switch to the virtual world. While a few started from scratch, others shifted their brick-and-mortar stores to online platforms.

The US witnessed  a record number of new home-based and remote businesses  in 2020. There was a 49% increase in new businesses from Quarter 2 to Quarter 3.

If you plan to run a remote business, too, save this blog. Here, we will provide you with a detailed guide on how to run a remote business.

What is a Fully Remote Business?

A fully remote business is a virtual business setup without any headquarters or physical offices. Remote businesses use virtual meeting platforms and home offices instead of in-person meetings and office spaces.

Fully remote businesses allow employees to work from home, cafes, libraries, parks, or coworking spaces. As long as employees have stable internet connectivity and a laptop, they can work from anywhere.

Top Benefits of a Remote Business

Running a company remotely may seem challenging. But once you complete the initial phase, you can derive several benefits from a remote business. Here are a few:

Work-life balance

Remote business opportunities come with great flexibility. They are suitable for people who juggle many responsibilities at a time.

You can drop the kids at school, take care of elderly parents, and spend quality time with family while managing work.

It allows employees to be productive while maintaining a healthy personal and professional life balance.

Reducing expenses

Saving money is one of the many advantages of remote businesses. You do not need office space when all your employees work from home. Thus, you save on the rent or other real estate expenses, utilities, furniture, and other operating expenses.

Higher productivity

In 2020, several businesses realized that their employees showed higher productivity when working from home. A survey by  ConnectSolutions  showed that 77% of remote work employees showed increased productivity at least a few times in a month. The reasons can be greater flexibility, fewer distractions, no travel exhaustion, etc.

Larger talent pool

Remote businesses can hire talents from anywhere and everywhere. There is no limitation to hiring from a specific geographic region. Employers can hire people who best fit the job role regardless of their locations.

Faster business growth

Running a remote business requires significantly low capital and overhead expenses. Hence, employers can expect more income than expenses leading to faster business growth.

Reduced absenteeism

Employers can witness fewer missed days during remote work. Since remote business offers flexibility, employees manage to work even when they are sick. Hence, it results in fewer employee absences and sick leaves.

Higher employee satisfaction and retention

Work-life balance is the best benefit of remote work. Employees can choose their work timing and environment. Further, employees can save commuting time. Hence, employee satisfaction and retention rate are better in remote businesses.

Biggest Challenges of a Remote Business

An entrepreneur must consider the roadblocks of remote business when learning the ‘how to start a remote business’ process.

Addressing the possible remote business challenges would be necessary to run the company remotely.

Security risks

Sharing data in remote businesses is quite risky. Since employees work on home networks and personal devices, carelessness in security measures can be costly.

Entrepreneurs can provide devices and run a security check through systems after employee onboarding to avoid security risks. Further, they can also set up specific security systems for remote work.

Technical risks

Remote businesses work on technology. Hence, you may face challenges like system failure, internet instability, power outage, or even technical issues with the virtual platforms.

You cannot do much to avoid these risks. But have a backup plan ready, like alternate platforms to connect and cloud storage.

• Communication

From regular in-person meetings to video calls, initially, communication may be challenging in remote businesses.

Set up communication channels like Slack or Skype to ensure proper communication among employees and managers. You can also conduct check-in video calls, online training, or chat sessions to keep the communication intact.

Employee performance

Use the right tools and metrics to track workflow and employee performance. Trello is an easy-to-use platform that helps to keep the projects organized. Further, you can set realistic goals and deadlines for each remote employee to track their performance.

Productivity

Employee productivity may fluctuate in remote businesses due to loneliness, lack of supervision, demotivation, etc.

Managers must ensure regular communication, feedback sharing, etc., to boost employee productivity.

Tried and Tested Tips for Running a Business Remotely

Are you wondering how to make your remote business work?

Well, it’s just about getting the right strategies in place. Entrepreneurs need to follow certain tips to run remote businesses successfully. They are:

An active social media presence

Social media channels can make your brand reach a wider audience. Interact with audiences and share information about your remote business through every social media platform.

Also, these platforms help you to build relationships and strong online communities of supporters.

Professional website

Whether you want to attract prospects, new hires, or provide company updates, a detailed website does it all.

Create a website that serves as an extension of your brand. It will also be a point of contact where you can engage with your employees and customers.

Regular check-ins

Fortunately, employers can still ‘see’ their remote employees without meeting them. Video conferencing platforms, online messaging apps, etc., allow employers to keep in touch with their remote teams.

Maintain a call ritual to encourage regular conversations. It will ensure that none of your remote employees feel isolated. Conduct morning attendance calls, departmental meets, team meets, etc., to maintain consistent communication.

Employers can also arrange coffee break calls in-between work hours to promote team bonding and collaboration.

Strong communication channels

Stable communication channels are a must for remote businesses. Your employees must be able to contact you every day, ask questions, share updates, feedback, etc.

Set up communication channels or use messaging apps for quick chats and clarifications regarding work. Also, ensure that all remote team members share their contact information and availability schedules for easy communication.

Safety and security

Cloud storage is a must for company information. But employers must also consider educating employees about using secure networks, password safety, and management. Not using public networks and keeping the data protected with a strong password are the two things you can do to avoid data breaches.

Running a company remotely is in your hands. To ensure success in remote business, follow these tips. Also, keep yourself equipped to confront the remote business challenges head-on.

How to Set Up and Run a Fully Remote Business?

The ‘how to run a remote business’ guide starts with setting up the business successfully.

Hence, this section details setting up and running a remote business.

1. Prepare a business plan

Create a plan for your remote business that includes;

• Business description,
• Vision, mission, and purpose of the business,
• A Unique Selling Proposition (USP),
• Internal structures and processes
• Financial forecasts

2. Get a virtual business address and register

Register your business with a physical mailing address.

• Get a mailing address. It could be your home address or a virtual business address obtained through a virtual mailbox service. A virtual address includes a physical street name in an office complex or mail center in a selected city.
• Fill out US Postal Service’s form 1583 to get virtual mailbox provider permission. This permission allows receiving packages on your behalf as a registered agent.
• Next, register the remote business as a sole proprietorship, LLC, or partnership as it fits your needs.

3. Spread the word about your remote business

Whether you build a remote business from scratch or transition to a virtual model, announce your launch as fast as possible.

The companies that transitioned temporarily announced remote working to their employees soon to provide them ample time for arrangements. So, the sooner you let your employees know, the better.

Also, you must convey about remote working when you hire employees. Employers can also mention remote work in their job posts to maintain transparency.

Use the following channels to announce your remote business existence:

• Social media (LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
• Referrals or word-of-mouth marketing
• SMS marketing

However, make sure that you are ready with all the technical aspects before announcing your remote business. If it is a transition, make the necessary changes like canceling utilities, office leases, replacing on-premise software with cloud-based solutions, etc.

4. Develop a remote work policy

Set up remote work policies to communicate all the rules and guidelines for working remotely.

The guidelines must provide employees with information about the company culture, expectations from employees, and the code of conduct in the virtual workplace.

Before starting or transitioning to a remote business, create an outline of the policy that addresses;

• Employee communication approach
• How employees can track their work hours if required
• Which software they should use
• How projects, deadlines, work
• The metrics to measure productivity and employee performance
• Breaks, sick leaves, vacation-related policies
• Workplace safety and security

Discuss with the necessary people and create a detailed remote work policy. Try and update the policies annually.

5. Make a note of employee availability, scheduling, and time off

Remote work offers flexibility. But certain job roles like customer support demand employees to be available for specific hours.

To ensure a healthy work-life balance for employees, employers must outline the rules for employee availability, time off, and scheduling.

• Specific hours when employees must be available (including time zones)
• Which employees can work flexible hours
• Time off period
• Vacation time
• Communicating sick leave
• Long-term and short-term disability guidelines

The same schedule won’t apply to all employees if you have global remote teams. Also, holidays may differ across regions. Hence, you may standardize the number of vacation days a year that employees can use according to their wishes.

6. Determine the remote tools

Running a remote business becomes simpler when you have the right tools. Employers must decide and mention the tools used in the remote work guidelines.

Based on the nature of your remote business, you may use;

• Project management tools like Trello or Asana. These tools make it easy for employers and employees to track the projects, streamline workflow, collaborate, and meet deadlines.
• Cloud-based storage solutions like Google Drive, DropBox, and OneDrive allow remote employees and employers to upload, access, share, edit, and download documents.
• Tools to track employee work hours prevent employees from going over time and budget. Make sure you choose the software that integrates with your HR and  payroll  system.
• For enhanced data protection (especially sensitive data), a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be beneficial. It helps in preventing data breaches.

Assess the tools and choose the best-suited ones for your remote business.

7. Establish communication guidelines

Virtual teams are required to communicate more than the on-premise teams. However, that does not mean flooding their inbox with messages.

Set clear communication rules for the employees.

• Communication channels to be used (like Skype for daily messages, Google Meet for regular check-ins, and Zoom for weekly video calls)
• Rules for virtual calls like turning on the mute button when not speaking. Also, mention when you expect video calls and audio calls.
• Communication frequency. For instance, whether or not to expect regular calls, weekly meets, etc.
• Convey guidelines for availability so that everyone gets responses to their messages. Also, communicate the message response times like responding to Skype messages by EOD.

8. Decide workspace setup and reimbursements

To run a remote business successfully, ensure that your employees are comfortable and supported with resources.

Typically, on-premise employees get equipment and software to complete their jobs. Try to do the same for remote employees. Provide them with everything for their workspace.

• Laptop or desktop
• Internet connectivity
• Subscriptions for required apps, software, and communication platforms
• Office supplies, including portable desk, notebooks, wrist pads, etc.

If employers cannot provide the workspace stuff, they can offer expense reimbursements. Also, they can provide a stipend to cover the costs.

9. Set up an effective virtual onboarding process

Virtual onboarding for remote employees is important.

Employees can transition better through the onboarding process. They can ask questions and clarify doubts. Also, managers can convey to them the remote work guidelines and help them learn to use the tools.

Employers can consider the following aspects during  remote onboarding :

• Explain to employees about creating a flexible workspace
• Communicate about tasks and deadlines
• Discuss channels for questions, feedback, support, or guidance
• Provide templates to track work progress
• Help employees with structuring workdays
• Promote mental well-being
• Offer tips on successful remote work

10. Offer resources and support for remote managers

Managing in-house teams and remote teams is different. Therefore, train the remote managers beforehand. Provide them with adequate resources like;

• Employee reports, worksheets
• Software subscriptions and access (Zoom, Trello, buffer, HubSpot, etc. required for your business)

Further, train and support the managers to ensure that they can lead the remote teams, engage them, and keep them motivated.

11. Determine virtual ideas for remote team-building

To strengthen the company’s culture and enhance team collaboration, implement remote team-building activities.

Remote employees may often feel disconnected and lonely, leading to low productivity. Hence, make it a priority to connect with the teams.

Hold one-to-one video calls, set up team meets, virtual coffee breaks, team lunch on Fridays, online events or games, debates, etc.

12. Recruit new remote employees

While employers set up remote businesses or transition to virtual platforms, they may lose existing regular employees.

However, with the savings of remote businesses, employers can add more employees to the remote teams.

Regardless of when you  hire new remote employees , ensure that you have a proper recruitment process aligned with the legal hiring policies.

Some Happening Remote Business Ideas for Budding Entrepreneurs

Employers must choose remote business ideas that align with their interests and knowledge.

However, if employers transition from traditional to virtual business, they may need to change the way of offering their products. For instance, offering online consultations, setting up delivery services, etc.

If you are looking for remote business opportunities, consider these ideas.

• Online coaching/tutoring agency
• Online content writing services
• Online fitness training
• Career coaching and resume writing
• Language classes
• Social media management or digital marketing company
• Accounting services
• eCommerce business
• Drop-shipping company

Some of the Most Useful Tools for Running a Remote Business

Several tools are available for running a remote business.

Managers can organize their work, collaborate better, streamline processes, and stay connected using these tools.

A few popular remote business tools that employers can consider are:

• Zoom  – Using this videoconferencing platform, managers can conduct online training sessions, webinars, team meetings, one-to-one interviews, discussions, etc.
• Slack  – The communication platform offers private messaging, chatrooms, voice calls, video calls, and direct messaging for employers and employees to stay connected.
• Microsoft Teams  – This communication tool enables the collaboration of teams through video calls, audio calls, storage, and file sharing.
• Harvest  – A must-have time-tracking tool that allows employees to track their work hours and time on specific tasks, submit expenses, and download reports.
• Dropbox  – It is a file hosting service that allows safe file sharing, document storage, and communication and collaboration.
• G Suite  – G Suite includes cloud-based programs like Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Docs, Slides, and Google sheets.
• Basecamp  – It is a project management platform that allows streamlining and tracking projects. The platform helps teams collaborate on projects, create to-do lists, update tasks, and share files.
• DocuSign  – The tool enables businesses to create, sign, and manage contracts digitally. It also allows holding negotiations and monitoring agreement analytics.

How to Hire Employees for your Remote Business?

After a successful remote business setup, employers get caught up thinking about how to set up a remote team.

1. Find out the roles to fill

Make a list of the job roles that you need to fill. Prioritize based on urgent needs and budget. Several remote businesses hire tax consultants, IT specialists, etc., to ensure remote business success.

2. Determine the required skills and qualities

Prepare a checklist of skills and qualities required for a specific job position before posting the vacancy. Don’t forget to consider that you want a candidate who can perform the job remotely. A few skills that employers usually look for are;

• Organization
• Time management
• Reliability
• Self-motivation

3. Post jobs

To reach out to remote employees, write job descriptions using keywords like remote work, work from home, telework, etc. Use relevant hashtags like remote work available to get the ideal candidates.

4. Set up a video interview process

Conduct video interviews after reviewing the applications. Ask the right remote work questions to get an idea about the candidate’s ability to communicate, collaborate remotely, deal with distractions, maintain productivity, etc.

5. Don’t ignore the red flags

Throughout the interview, observe how the candidate behaves – how they respond to emails, the time taken to respond, and how well they communicate during the interview.

Multiplier can help you with setting up a remote team. The  EOR  platform enables employers to hire talents globally. Also, the platform offers the infrastructure to employ talent in another country without the employer having to launch a subsidiary.

Run a Successful Remote Business with Multiplier

Setting up a remote business is simple if you have the right strategies and tools to implement the strategies. Further, hiring the best fit for all the job roles is also important.

Management in remote businesses is challenging.  Managing the remote teams , their payroll, communication, onboarding, etc. But with Multiplier, you can make these processes easier too.

Multiplier offers  global payroll solutions  in 150+ countries. It manages anything and everything, including multi-country payroll, insurance, and benefits.

Employ the best person for job, regardless of location

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Unlock Success with These Remote Business Ideas

By Rad Aswani • February 6, 2024

Are you ready to unlock the door to success in the world of remote business ideas? The digital age brings a plethora of opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to create thriving remote businesses. In this blog post, we will explore various remote business ideas, overcome common challenges, and provide expert guidance on launching and managing your remote venture.

Key takeaways

• Discover profitable remote business ideas and take advantage of ecommerce opportunities, online services & consulting, digital content creation & education/training .
• Overcome challenges with effective communication & collaboration tools for secure data protection and successful employee management.
• Utilize Kumospace to build a strong online presence, develop a solid business plan and access expert guidance for ongoing support.

Discovering profitable remote business ideas

The scope of remote business ideas in the current digital era is immense. With just an internet connection, you can create a successful online business that allows you to work from anywhere in the world. Some unique online business ideas include:

• Social media management
• Virtual assistant services
• Online coaching or consulting
• Digital marketing agency

These ideas are transforming the way people work and live, providing flexibility and freedom in their careers.

Identifying profitable niches through market research allows you to match your interests and expertise with a suitable remote business idea. Some examples of remote business ideas include:

• Web design agencies
• Affiliate marketing
• E-commerce stores

The key to success is to find a business idea that resonates with your passions and expertise, ultimately leading you to start your own business.

Ecommerce opportunities

Ecommerce has become a driving force in the digital landscape, propelled by the convenience of online shopping and an ever-growing consumer base. With low startup costs and the flexibility to work from anywhere, ecommerce presents a lucrative opportunity for remote entrepreneurs.

Etsy and Amazon , successful ecommerce platforms, exemplify how innovative online business concepts can accelerate business expansion. From selling t-shirts through Printful and Shopify to launching a dropshipping business, there’s an abundance of ecommerce opportunities waiting to be explored. Establishing an efficient online store is achievable with a robust marketing strategy and a simplified shipping process.

Online services and consulting

Remote businesses that offer online services and consulting can leverage their expertise to provide valuable services to clients worldwide. Some examples of services that remote entrepreneurs can offer include:

• Proofreading
• Graphic design
• Website development
• Translation services

Countless opportunities exist for remote entrepreneurs to share their skills and knowledge.

Online services and consulting businesses offer significant advantages, including location independence and the ability to collaborate with clients worldwide. Offering specialized services, be it financial planning, remote tech support, or voiceover work, allows you to build a fully remote business that complements your unique skills and expertise, making it a successful remote business.

Digital content creation

Digital content creation is a growing market for remote businesses, with opportunities ranging from:

• Video production
• Copywriting

By crafting captivating and high-quality material for online platforms, you can attract and retain customers, boosting your remote business’s success.

Monetizing your digital content creation can take many forms , such as selling online courses, e-books, or webinars. By choosing a niche that aligns with your interests and talents, you can position yourself as a thought leader and expand your reach in the digital content creation industry.

Online education and training

Sharing your expertise through online education and training platforms presents a fantastic opportunity for remote entrepreneurs. From creating and selling online courses to offering online tutoring sessions, you can reach a global audience and make a genuine impact on people’s lives.

Coursera , Udemy , and LinkedIn Learning are online platforms that demonstrate the potential success within the online education industry. Using tools such as Kumospace, Zoom, and Skype for online tutoring enables easy connection with students worldwide, thereby fostering the growth of your remote business.

Niche markets and specialized services

A focus on niche markets and specialized services distinguishes your remote business and addresses specific customer needs. By discovering a business niche, you can differentiate your brand from competitors and establish credibility within your target market.

Examples of niche market e-commerce retail include ethical fashion, cryptocurrency trading, and 3D-printed products. Remote businesses can also offer specialized services such as Kickstarter advising and podcasting , showcasing the vast array of opportunities available in niche markets.

Overcoming challenges in remote businesses

Despite the undeniable benefits of remote business, challenges such as communication, security, and employee management may arise. By addressing these challenges head-on, you can successfully navigate the world of remote business and create a thriving enterprise.

The upcoming sections will address these challenges and provide effective strategies to ensure the success of your remote business. From communication and collaboration to data protection and employee management, we’ll guide you through the process of tackling these obstacles and emerging stronger than ever.

Communication and collaboration

The success of remote businesses largely depends on effective communication and collaboration . Establishing clear communication rules and utilizing online communication tools can greatly enhance team efficiency and productivity.

Kumospace , a virtual workspace where team members can interact and collaborate, is a valuable tool for remote businesses. With convenient communication features like video conferencing, instant messaging chats, and real-time communication channels, Kumospace allows remote teams to stay connected and productive, no matter where they are located.

Security and data protection

For remote business owners, data protection and a secure virtual workspace are of paramount importance. Implementing security measures such as secure networks, data encryption, and access control can help protect your business from potential risks.

In addition to these security measures, utilizing tools and software specifically designed for remote businesses can further enhance data protection. Some examples include:

• Kumospace : includes virtual office and spatial audio features to ensure seamless communication and collaboration
• Slack : offers instant messaging features
• Zoom : provides basic video conferencing capabilities
• LastPass : helps with password management
• Wire : offers secure communication options

By using these tools, you can ensure that your remote business remains protected.

Employee management and performance tracking

When managing remote employees, it’s important to understand that their management necessitates an approach distinct from that of traditional brick-and-mortar businesses. By implementing remote team management strategies and tracking employee performance, you can ensure smooth operations and maintain employee satisfaction.

Tools that can greatly improve communication, collaboration, and productivity within remote teams include:

By providing employees with the right tools and resources, you can effectively manage your remote team and foster a positive work environment.

Adapting to a remote work environment

The success of your remote business hinges on creating a supportive and flexible remote work environment . By establishing clear expectations and providing employees with the necessary tools and resources, you can foster a positive remote work culture and ensure employee satisfaction.

In addition to providing resources, encouraging open communication and teamwork can help remote employees feel more connected and engaged in their work. By embracing the unique aspects of remote work, you can create a supportive company culture that promotes productivity and employee well-being.

Launching and managing your remote business

Launching and managing a remote business necessitates a solid foundation and effective strategies for success. From developing a comprehensive business plan to building a strong online presence and effectively managing remote teams , the following subsections will guide you through the process of launching and managing your remote business.

By addressing legal and financial considerations, you can ensure compliance and stability within your remote business. With the right tools and knowledge, you can confidently navigate the world of remote entrepreneurship and achieve lasting success.

Developing a solid business plan

The success of any remote business relies on a comprehensive business plan. By addressing the unique aspects of remote businesses, such as managing remote teams and utilizing remote communication tools, your business plan can provide a roadmap for success in the remote work environment.

In addition to outlining the necessary software, hardware, and infrastructure needed to support remote work, a remote business plan should emphasize:

• Work-life balance for remote employees
• Creating a supportive and inclusive remote work culture
• Establishing clear communication channels and expectations
• Providing opportunities for professional development and growth
• Implementing effective remote team collaboration tools and strategies

By creating a business plan that takes into account the unique opportunities and challenges presented by remote work, you can set the stage for a thriving remote business with a solid business model and achieve faster business growth.

Building a strong online presence

In the current digital era, a strong online presence is vital to the success of your remote business. By creating a professional website, engaging in social media marketing, and implementing digital marketing strategies, you can attract potential customers and showcase your brand.

Platforms such as:

• Twitter (X)

are popular for social media marketing, but don’t forget about the importance of app development in creating a strong online presence.

are ideal places to start your social media marketing efforts. By developing a cohesive social media strategy, you can expand your brand reach and foster strong online communities to support your remote business.

Remote team management

Smooth operations and employee satisfaction in your remote business are contingent on effective remote team management . By implementing remote team management strategies such as establishing clear communication channels, setting expectations for remote work, and utilizing remote collaboration tools, you can effectively manage your remote team.

Tools such as Kumospace can greatly enhance communication and collaboration within remote teams. By providing your team with the right tools and resources, you can foster a positive remote work environment and ensure your remote business thrives.

Legal and financial considerations

Ensuring compliance and stability involves addressing legal and financial considerations specific to remote businesses. Some of the legal aspects you’ll need to consider when launching a remote business include:

• Data security
• Employment compliance
• Intellectual property rights

By consulting with a lawyer experienced in remote business operations, you can navigate these legal and financial considerations effectively and confidently. With the proper legal and financial framework in place, your remote business will be well-positioned for success.

Utilizing Kumospace for remote business success

The use of Kumospace can significantly enhance the success of your remote business. As a virtual office that enables teams to collaborate from any location, Kumospace offers expert guidance and ongoing support to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of remote entrepreneurship.

From networking and collaboration opportunities to expert guidance and strategies, Kumospace provides a wealth of resources to support your remote business. By utilizing Kumospace, you can achieve remote business success and thrive in the digital age.

Networking and Collaboration Opportunities

Kumospace provides exceptional networking and collaboration opportunities via its virtual office and event hosting platform. Remote teams can easily communicate, collaborate, and meet online in a virtual workspace, making it easier than ever to connect with other remote entrepreneurs and professionals.

With features like team chat , virtual office layout , and interactive tools for team meetings and brainstorming sessions , Kumospace allows remote teams to stay connected and collaborate effectively. Embrace the networking and collaboration opportunities provided by Kumospace to expand your remote business’s reach and success.

Access to expert guidance and strategies

Sorry, your browser does not support HTML video.

Kumospace enhances remote communication and collaboration by offering an innovative, interactive virtual space designed to replicate the dynamics of in-person interactions. Its user-friendly interface allows team members to move around virtual rooms, spontaneously join conversations , and participate in group discussions, making it easier to foster a collaborative environment remotely. This platform integrates seamlessly with various tools and provides features such as screen sharing, virtual whiteboards, and customizable environments , supporting diverse teamwork needs. By bridging the gap between physical and virtual collaboration, Kumospace enables teams to effectively share ideas, brainstorm, and work together on projects, leading to the generation and refinement of groundbreaking business ideas. Through its immersive experience, Kumospace empowers companies to maintain a strong sense of community and engagement among remote teams, paving the way for creativity and innovation to flourish.

Ongoing support and resources

Kumospace continually offers support and resources that bolster remote business owners. From offering a virtual workspace that enhances team collaboration and culture to providing guides for preparing teams for a virtual office, Kumospace has you covered.

By taking advantage of the support and resources provided by Kumospace, you can ensure that your remote business remains competitive and successful in the digital age. Embrace the power of Kumospace to help your remote business reach new heights.

In conclusion, the world of remote business ideas is full of untapped potential and exciting opportunities. By identifying profitable niches, overcoming challenges , and leveraging tools like Kumospace, you can successfully launch and manage your remote business. Embrace the power of remote entrepreneurship and unlock the door to success in the digital age.

Frequently asked questions

What business can i run remotely  .

With remote business ideas such as working and travelling, you can easily run a successful business remotely. There are plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs to explore!

How to start a business remotely?  

Starting a business remotely requires careful planning and preparation. From registering a virtual business address and developing a remote work policy to determining the necessary remote tools, it's crucial to follow the best practices of running a fully remote business.

What is the easiest online business to start?  

Starting a dropshipping business is the easiest way to get an online business up and running. It requires minimal startup costs, has low overhead costs, and allows you to find thousands of products from suppliers to sell online. Additionally, if you're looking for more options, consider starting a blog, becoming an affiliate marketer, or creating an e-commerce store.

What are some unique remote business ideas?  

With the wealth of remote business ideas available, such as ecommerce, social media management, freelancing, online education, and niche markets or specialized services, you can start building an exciting and profitable venture from home.

How can I ensure effective communication and collaboration in my remote business?  

To ensure effective communication and collaboration in your remote business, establish clear communication rules, use online communication tools like Kumospace , and foster a culture of open communication and teamwork.

Transform the way your team works from anywhere.

A virtual office in Kumospace lets teams thrive together by doing their best work no matter where they are geographically.

Rad has over 7 years of experience in Marketing. Currently, she is the fun Digital Marketer at Kumospace. She leads initiatives such as influencer marketing, SEO management, and social media to name a few. Outside of work, Rad enjoys traveling, working out, and spending time with her family and friends.

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Why Remote Work Makes Good Business Sense

Table of Contents

Remote work is no longer reserved for employees of large corporations or influencers traveling the globe. The world of work is shifting toward a flexible schedule, with many employees seeking a remote or hybrid arrangement .

Businesses also benefit from a remote workforce, which reduces costs for real estate and utilities and allows them to hire workers from around the globe. Providing qualified employees with a remote work option can attract top talent , secure employee loyalty and diversify company culture.

Let’s look at the benefits of remote work for your business and how to implement a successful remote work policy.

Why remote work is good for business

Every company or organization that wants to accomplish its mission must consider remote work for all employees, if feasible. When companies embrace this new business reality, they will discover many benefits for employees and the company itself.

1. It enhances team morale, and staff feels valued and respected.

Remote work is a long-sought-after employee benefit. Studies and reports over the last two decades have shown increased productivity, higher employee engagement , and higher levels of key performance metrics at companies that maintain a robust remote policy. 

In a time when employee engagement is essential for company success, a remote work policy for all employees is vital for every company, agency, department and organization to consider and apply. When employees feel cared for, they often care more about their organization and its goals.

2. It employs planning for the continuity of operations.

A key benefit for companies and employees related to remote work is the ability to have a continuity of operations to overcome unexpected setbacks , shutdowns and crises like COVID-19. Companies and organizations need to be adequately prepared for the unexpected. Companies that plan for the unplanned are prepared to handle uncertainty.

3. It boosts executive retention and reduces turnover.

Organizations that lead in allowing remote work will discover the benefit of higher executive retention and engagement and lower executive turnover. When remote or flex work is not allowed or encouraged, many employees cease striving for higher roles in the organization, impacting their professional progress and draining the pool of top-level talent.

The reality of executive turnover is essential for leaders and organizations to understand and address so that their best talent is not sidelined or sidetracked, especially among underrepresented populations like women executives and people of color. When companies strive for diversity and inclusion, they become more substantial companies. One might even express this critical  principle through this theme: Improve the team to improve the organization.

A whopping 98 percent of American workers desire to work remotely at least part of the time, according to the 2023 State of Remote Work report .

4. Team productivity, communication and corporate objectives are reached more effectively.

One of the most important benefits of establishing a robust remote work policy is that employees and supervisors generally accomplish more work. The supervisor who can work anywhere is the supervisor who can manage anywhere and anytime. When remote work is the norm, the supervisor is able to manage life and work more effectively.

From a fundamental time standpoint, when a supervisor is allowed to convert commute time to production time, the supervisor and the organization become more effective and productive.

5. Money is saved, which converts to higher profits.

Facebook recently advanced the concept of moving executives to 100 percent remote work, reducing a corporate office’s environmental impact. It found further financial benefits to adjusting executives’ pay based on locality. This move could save larger companies millions of dollars by allowing executives to work anywhere and aligning their pay with the city they live in. These are real dollars that can be used to enhance the company’s mission, reward and attract employees, and reinvest in future products and services.

6. It allows for effective modeling of remote work behaviors.

Executives model excellent work behavior and cultural norms in many areas of an organization, but usually not in remote work. Companies and organizations often allow rank-and-file employees to work remotely, but yet want supervisors and managers to continue working in the office for accessibility and role-modeling purposes. 

However, in the digital age, it is crucial that top executives set an example of how to work effectively from a remote location. This can help model effective remote communications, the use of electronic systems, leadership in remote meetings and distance delegating.

Workplace changes impact every generation. The millennial generation may be leading the charge of work changes in technology, outside-the-box thinking and innovative solutions. However, they still need leaders who can help them grasp the art of working from home and balancing work with their personal lives to avoid burnout.

7. It increases companies’ ability to hire the most qualified candidates.

Employers that expand their job pool improve the quality of their organization. A significant portion of the workforce will be eligible to retire in the next five years, and with a growing percentage of the workforce under age 30, businesses need to do more to attract the younger generation to work for them. This is especially true for workers with skills in high demand. 

Leveraging technology and allowing flexibility help smaller companies compete with larger companies like Facebook, Google and Verizon. Smaller businesses need to offer competitive opportunities to the new generation of workers to attract the most effective workforce.

8. It increases flexibility and improves work-life balance. 

With the high costs of housing, health insurance and daycare, employees are working harder than ever before to balance work and family. Companies like HubSpot are setting a high bar for flexibility in the workplace.

The tech company started a program in 2021 that offers three flexible work arrangements. Office lovers can choose @office, which means working in the office at least three days a week. Hybrid workers can select @flex, which allows employees to work two days in the office and the rest remotely. The @home option gives the most flexibility, with 100 percent remote work. Perhaps the best part of HubSpot’s remote work policy is that it allows employees to change their chosen work option once every year.

How to implement a successful remote work policy

In 2023, nearly 30 percent of U.S. employees work remotely. Having a remote work policy in place that clearly defines when employees can work away from the office or flex their schedule is essential for setting expectations.

While inclusivity is vital, it’s worth noting that not every job is suitable for remote work. Some positions must be based in an office because the type of work they involve cannot be done remotely.

When building a remote work policy, you will need to consider the following:

• Whether employees must continue to live near the office
• How often to hold mandatory in-person meetings
• Whether the company should pay for costs related to travel to the office
• Which positions qualify for remote work
• What criteria should be used to ensure work performance and cultural fit in the organization

Always consult with legal, HR and financial teams before deciding on a remote work policy . These departments can help you identify the pros and cons, compliance requirements, and tax implications so you don’t waste time and resources if remote work isn’t appropriate for your business.

Cybersecurity and HIPAA

When working with remote employees, you must invest in cybersecurity that protects your workers’ and customers’ information. If your industry has HIPAA requirements , you might need additional security measures like a virtual private network (VPN) and HIPAA-compliant customer relationship management (CRM) software.

Consistent communication

A remote work policy should include an expectation of company communication . Scheduling time for meetings – whether it’s once a day or once a week, a one-on-one meeting with a manager, or a secure chat for questions and issues – is essential for maintaining good communication.

Schedule meetings and chats during regular business hours so employees can be available for them. 

It may be advantageous to schedule meetings during a remote worker’s least productive time of the day or week. Use employee tracking software to gather work data so you can maximize productivity by giving the employee a boost in morale when they need it most.

Be sure to schedule in-person meetings and events too. Even though remote workers prefer working in their own space, it’s vital for teams to meet face-to-face to work collaboratively and deepen relationships.

Plus, regular check-ins are necessary for challenging your team. Define goals and stay on top of deadlines by managing employees using the best project management software available.

Recognize that not every worker is fit for remote work. While some employees are more productive at home, others do their best work at the office. A remote work policy should outline performance thresholds (and consequences if not met) for keeping a flexible work schedule. 

Outline hours and benefits

Hiring remote hourly workers can be a challenge if you don’t have a preferred schedule in place. Telling workers what time they need to be online can help prevent them from overworking and charging overtime pay for their efforts. While salaried workers may have more flexibility, it’s important that the tasks given fit into a standard 40-hour workweek so employees can maintain their work-life balance.

A remote worker’s pay and benefits should be clearly outlined in the policy to prevent confusion. Each company offers different perks, which can influence whether an employee wants to work in the office or at home. 

Check out the benefits and perks that keep remote employees happy .

Ken Gosnell contributed to this article.

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Home Business Ideas: 40 Remote Jobs to Explore in 2022

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Working remotely and starting businesses from home have grown in popularity over the past decade. Currently, in the United States, millions of self-employed individuals have acted upon home business ideas and work regularly from their home.

There are plenty of compelling reasons to want the flexibility that working from home can offer. If a change in lifestyle is what you’re after, then you’ll want to take a close look at your skills and interests to figure out which of the many work-from-home jobs suits you. To help you in your exploration, we’ve gathered this list of 40 of the best home business ideas.

Home business ideas

Any office worker can probably tell you that they've had a daydream about quitting their job and starting their own business. Luckily, in this technological age, this dream can more easily become a reality. If you have a computer and internet connection, there are home business ideas aplenty, including those with low startup costs (if any) and flexibility for stay-at-home parents.

Here are 40 of the best home business ideas to consider:

1. Freelance writer

If you’re a great writer, then you could make a great freelance writer. And best of all, freelance writers work from all over the world. Whether you want to sit in your neighborhood cafe all day or country-hop all year, this job could apply to you.

Of course, successful writers need to have a firm grasp on grammar and tone, superb editing chops and the ability to do their own research and synthesize content that they might be unfamiliar with. It could help if you become an expert in a few different fields, like technology or small-business finance, and it’s always important for all freelancers to know how to market themselves and network with potential customers.

You might be asked to write anything from a blog post series to an industry white paper, website copy or email newsletters. The more you’re familiar with, the better off you are.

And finally, don’t forego the possibility of writing your own e-books to sell on Amazon and similar websites. With basically zero publishing costs and low design costs, this is another way your writing can benefit your bank account directly. (You could even write an e-book about freelance writing — the possibilities are endless.)

2. Virtual assistant

If all of your friends know you as “the really, really organized one,” then being a virtual assistant might be the home business idea for you.

When busy executives reach a point in their careers where they can't manage all the calls, emails, appointments and smaller responsibilities on their plates, that’s where you come in. As a virtual assistant, you would use your phone, email, computer skills and any number of online tools and applications to handle their online calendars, schedule appointments and meetings, make reservations, purchase tickets, set up reminders, organize events, file documents and more.

If this kind of work isn’t your thing, then it might sound a bit unglamorous. But if you’re the type of person who color-codes their planners and sends out Google calendar invitations for coffee dates, then being a virtual assistant could be a fun and fulfilling job — that you can do from home.

How much do you need?

with Fundera by NerdWallet

We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

3. Researcher and fact-checker

From perusing old academic essays or case files to analyzing bibliographies or carrying out some market research, you can establish yourself as a professional researcher and fact-checker. Various types of businesses within several different industries need researchers and fact-checkers. Establishing a niche may help you better market your services.

You need to be organized, meticulous and skilled at communication. If that sounds like you, then add this to your personal list of home business ideas.

4. Social media manager

Today, every business, brand and public figure needs social media to engage with their audience, stay relevant and boost brand awareness.

And as it turns out, many companies pay pretty highly for people to manage their social media accounts well. If you can stay on brand, share content appropriately and reply to customers intelligently — while getting those precious likes, hearts, retweets and upvotes en masse — then you could be a killer social media manager.

5. Blogger and affiliate marketer

While managing a blog in and of itself won’t net you any money — in fact, it’ll cost you to purchase a domain, upgrade the appearance and run marketing campaigns — there are a few ways for you to monetize your blog. You could offer up advertising space, which is a useful but typically minor revenue stream, but a lot more money is often found in sponsorships and affiliate marketing.

Affiliate marketing, a sort of product placement, will let you receive payment from companies in return for advocating for their goods and services. Although this might sound a bit iffy, if you truly do recommend that your readers try out these products, then it doesn’t need to come across as sales-y or insincere. Readers will understand that you need to make money somehow, and many will appreciate your recommendations if they’re accurate.

6. Freelance designer

If you’re more of a visual person, then the freelance lifestyle can still work wonders. Try your hand at designing posters, flyers, or online advertisements for companies that don’t have the time or talent to do this work themselves.

As a freelance designer, you’ll build an online reputation and eventually have control over the projects and timelines you manage. Try out Behance and other freelance design sites to check out your options.

7. Freelance coder

Becoming a freelance coder is an especially great home-based business idea since it’s already a very commonplace gig. Whether you want the flexibility of being your own boss, enjoy taking on a wide diversity of projects rather than working with a single company, or prefer to travel instead of staying in one place, you've got many reasons to pursue freelance software development — even though technology companies and startups offer their own perks as well.

8. Online thrifter

Have a unique eye and the salesman’s pitch down to a science?

If so, you might want to consider running your own online thrift shop. Whether you focus on fashion specifically, another category of product, or prefer to amass collections of interesting items from all over the internet (but especially eBay), there’s always a strong demand for items with a story .

Give your store a compelling, memorable identity, and it will be seen as much more than a simple consignment store.

9. Data entry guru

It might not be the most lucrative or stimulating job in the universe, but data entry can certainly give you the funds you need to work from home or abroad. Plus, data entry jobs rarely require a lot of time or attention, unlike many on this list of home business ideas. You can listen to your favorite podcasts or audiobooks as you work your own hours.

Moreover, since all you need for data entry is a computer, this is certainly a home business idea with low startup costs — if you already own a laptop and have a reliable WiFi connection, you're pretty much all set.

10. College consultant

If you’re a top-notch editor with a deep understanding of how college admissions works — including standardized test preparation, personal statement requirements, supplemental essay requirements, applicant statistics and even financial aid — then you might be able to snag a rather well-paying job as a college consultant. Some families are willing and able to pay, and pay well, to make sure their kids submit the best possible applications to their dream schools.

This is by no means an easy job, as it requires a lot of knowledge and skillsets, but it can bring in a lot of cash for a home-based business.

11. Online tutor

Whether you’re an expert in a certain subject matter, like calculus or biology, or you’ve secured top scores on standardized tests, like the SATs or MCATs, you may be able to share that knowledge with current students looking to get an edge.

So if you have a passion for teaching, are up to date on the formats and policies of the tests you plan to instruct students on, and feel comfortable handling the content, then it might be time to start an online tutoring business.

And just like with the rest of these online home business ideas, you can easily service customers over the phone or, in this case, a video conferencing program like Skype or Zoom.

12. Translator

If you know multiple languages, then this is the home-based business idea for you. As a translator, you can service businesses and clients in a number of different ways. You can translate articles, press releases, e-books or other written work. You might also translate videos, podcasts or contribute to international closed captions for a variety of visual products. Moreover, you might connect with international businesses to serve as a translator for meetings or phone calls.

With experience in more than one language and access to the internet, you'll be surprised about how far-reaching your home translating business can extend.

13. Cybersecurity consultant

With even the biggest businesses around the world being subject to data breaches, cybersecurity is more important than ever. If you have experience with software and IT, a remote job as a cybersecurity consultant might be one of the best home business ideas for you.

From the comfort of your home, you can work with different companies to test their programs, software, backups, firewalls, encryption and generally assess potential threats to their network and advise them on the best cybersecurity practices. Although this may be one of the home-based business ideas on our list that requires the most training and education, it can be a highly lucrative position if you already have the knowledge, or are willing to work to obtain it.

14. Transcriptionist

Can you type extremely quickly while listening to someone talk? If the answer is yes, you might consider transcription services. Like data entry, this might not be the most exciting of our home business ideas but is certainly low-cost, flexible and you can get started very easily. There are all kinds of companies out there who hire freelance transcriptionists, as well as specific services that employ individuals to transcribe audio for various clients.

15. Travel planner

If you frequent websites like TripAdvisor and Yelp and are well-traveled yourself, you might extend your travel expertise to others as a home-based travel planner. You can use your experience to plan and book trips for your clients — manage hotel reservations, flights, excursions, create itineraries and offer tailored recommendations.

For families looking to go on a two-week vacation or couples planning their honeymoon, hiring someone to handle the details, big and small, of their trip, can be invaluable. Plus, in working with different hotels, resorts and vacation attractions, you'll start to build relationships with the staff — and possibly, receive discounts or perks that will make traveling on your own even easier (you might even start a travel blog while you're at it).

16. Fundraiser

If you have any prior experience managing campaigns and events, or simply have an electric personality, you might consider starting a freelance fundraising business. As a fundraising consultant, you'll have the opportunity to market for a business or cause and talk to prospective donors about how and why they should contribute to your campaign.

This home business idea is great for individuals with a background in nonprofit or government work, as well as former marketers or salespeople. If you have excellent people skills and a drive for meeting goals and getting results, this can easily be the right business for you.

17. Medical billing and coding

Although this job may require some form of medical background or schooling, it can be easily profitable and sustainable. Medical billing and coding connect health care providers, patients and insurance companies. As a medical biller and coder, therefore, you would work with patient records to determine the correct codes that are then verified by doctors and sent to insurance providers.

This career is a great business idea for nurses looking for a change; they can easily utilize their prior experience and relationships to succeed in this kind of self-employed role.

18. Video producing

With the prevalence of video in social media and marketing, the need for video producers and experts has only grown in recent years. Even if you don't have prior experience cutting and editing video, this is an online-based home business idea that you can easily learn and teach yourself with classes, tutorials and general guidance from the online video community.

Moreover, video production can transcend a number of different industries, styles and goals. As a video producer, you'll not only have the flexibility of working from home on a variety of projects, but you'll also have the ability to utilize your creativity on a daily basis.

19. Publicist

Looking for a way to combine your public speaking, communication and writing skills? You might consider serving as a freelance publicist or public relations consultant. You can greatly appeal to smaller businesses or individuals who can't invest in full PR teams or staff, but still need this kind of assistance for their organization.

As a freelance publicist, you may handle press releases, emails, social media — essentially, assisting with all facets of your clients' public-facing presence.

20. Customer service representative

Many companies now outsource their customer service to home-based representatives, so you should have no shortage of potential clients in this field. After all, any service- or product-based organization is more than likely going to have some kind of customer support need.

As a customer service representative, you'll be able to work with individuals online or over the phone and talk them through any issues they're having. If you have a communicative and approachable personality, this could be a great option for you.

21. Pet sitter or dog walker

As a pet sitter or a dog walker, you'll get to spend time with other people’s animals while they’re at work or on a trip. Simply follow your client's instructions, as well as your own experience and expertise, to provide care and comfort to these pets. It’s an easy way to get paid, especially if you’re an organized and trustworthy individual with a reputation for or history of animal care.

22. Arts and crafts master

Consider putting your knack for arts, crafts and design to use as the manager of an online store. So long as you believe your creations can find a market and sell at a profitable price, there’s very little stopping you from signing up as a seller on a site like Etsy and carving out your niche. While it might be a tough business, there’s plenty of wisdom out there to learn from.

23. Accountant

If you’re currently an accountant, transitioning to remote work might be as simple as letting your clients know that you work remotely now for reasons of convenience or perhaps hanging your own shingle out to start your own firm. On the other hand, if you’re looking to enter the industry (virtually or not), you should be aware of the training and certifications necessary.

24. T-shirt designer

The U.S. apparel industry is a $225 billion dollar market, and as it turns out, the T-shirt business is relatively quick, easy and painless to get into.

So if you’re interested in entering the eclectic and diverse T-shirt business with an idea or brand of your own, rejoice: This is certainly one of the best business ideas for setting your own hours and calling your own shots.

25. Cleaning service

If you love — or just don’t mind — cleaning up after others, then starting a cleaning business could give you the flexibility you want without forcing you to sit at a computer all day long.

However, this is an endeavor that could certainly grow into a much larger company if you’re successful, meaning that, eventually, you’d probably have to get an office and hire staff.

26. Massage therapist and wellness expert

Over the past decade, the massage therapy industry has grown nearly 20% with no indication of stopping. If this statistic interests you, then you might want to consider entering this burgeoning field.

After getting your massage therapy certification, along with the business license and massage equipment needed to work from home, you can turn your house into a local massage parlor for clients to come to, relax and improve their health and wellness. Plus, you could combine your massage therapy with a more holistic wellness practice or a nutritionist practice — but make sure to check your state’s licensing laws before offering dietary advice or supplements to customers.

27. Personal trainer

As a personal trainer, you could make house calls, visit a gym or let clients come to you (if you have the necessary equipment). You need to be very knowledgeable about everything from proper exercises for different body types to how to motivate people who want to get healthy. You should feel comfortable getting close to your clients in order to learn what works best for them.

Although a certification may not absolutely be necessary, it’s not a bad idea to find out if you can get one in your state before starting up, just in case.

28. Interior decorator

If you have an eye for composition, organization and feng shui, think about starting an interior design business . Partner with local furniture stores and design businesses (with your clients’ knowledge) to get good deals, help decorate public spaces and business interiors as well as houses and apartments, and let everyone in and outside your network know that your services are available.

29. Event planner

Everyone plans events — but not everyone lives and breathes it. Do you love coordinating food and drinks, invitations, scheduling conflicts, music, gifts, goody bags and every other aspect of the parties or events you’ve set up?

From birthdays to weddings, corporate get-togethers and local conventions, the world is your oyster when it comes to events to plan. If you’re passionate about logistics, then this could be the home business idea for you.

30. Caterer

If nobody you know can stop talking about your cooking, then maybe it’s time to charge for your services and talent and start a catering business .

While you won’t necessarily be able to do all of your catering work from home — you may need to use a commercial kitchen and will likely have to hire some part-time employees to help during events — much of the organization, planning, marketing and actual business work can be done wherever you like.

31. Bed-and-breakfast manager

This idea is for the folks who live in popular tourist locations, or would like to move to one. With some preparation, planning, tidying, cooking and a dash of advertising (made easier by services like Airbnb), you can convert your home into a bed-and-breakfast for weary travelers to rest in.

Keep in mind that you need spare bedrooms or a guest house for your customers, and you might want to invest in your cooking and decorating skills to leave a lasting positive impression. Good reviews go a long way in booking out your house for the future.

32. Florist

With a green thumb and a knack for crafts, you might consider opening a floral business to sell flowers and floral arrangements. Depending on your location, you could grow your own flowers, sell and arrange them at home; or, you can outsource the flowers, but still manage the whole of your operations from your own house.

33. Day care manager

Provided you have space, you can start a day care business by supervising a few children during the day — and expanding with staff to accommodate more kids as your business expands.

A day care can be an important business in a local community, especially if your town doesn't already have one. Plus, if you have any experience with teaching or kids, getting into this business will be quick, easy and rewarding.

34. Rideshare driver

Although not home-based per se, becoming a rideshare driver, with Uber or Lyft can offer the same flexibility and freedom as a business that's physically based in your home. As a rideshare driver, your business will more or less be based in your car, and you'll be able to choose your own hours and be your own boss. With the popularity of ridesharing apps continuing to grow, there's no shortage of clients looking for rides, especially if you live in a tourist area or near a big city.

35. Photographer

By starting your own home photography business, you can manage the operational side of your endeavor right from home and travel as needed to meet clients. If your home is particularly picturesque, you might even consider bringing clients there to take photographs or set up a home studio for portraits.

If you want to venture into event photography, you can market your services and look for clients who need professional photography for weddings, graduations, engagements or other events.

36. Landlord

If you have an extra room or guest house on your property, you might consider renting the space — or even investing in a separate property that you can market to renters. As a landlord, you'll be responsible for the upkeep of the property and dealing with any issues that arise with your renters, but you'll generally have flexibility in your business and be home-based.

37. Hair stylist or makeup artist

Are you the person that your friends come to for help with hair and makeup? If so, you might decide to start a home-based salon or makeup artistry business. You can set up a small place in your home with good lighting and the tools you'll need to service your clients, as well as create an on-the-go kit to offer hair and makeup in your clients' homes.

You may find that your hair or makeup business is particularly busy during prom and wedding season, which will be the perfect time to continue to market to new customers. If you have downtime during seasons, you might consider starting a hair or makeup blog or YouTube tutorial channel as well.

38. Eldercare

If you're passionate about helping people and have any experience in personal care, you might consider starting an eldercare business. Nursing homes can be expensive and people are often hesitant to put their family members in full-time care facilities. Therefore, you might decide to offer freelance care, traveling to your clients' homes and caring for them as needed. Keep in mind, you'll want to make sure you have any certifications and the proper training you need.

With the growing popularity of craft and local beers, you might consider brewing beer in your own home. Although this home business will require research, training and equipment, it can be sustainable if your properly market and sell your product.

Or, if you're particularly attracted to the brewing process but don't want to get involved in all of the other areas involved in selling beer, you might look into contract brewing, where you help beer companies make and package their beer. Either way, this can be a great hands-on business, especially if you like experimenting and figuring out how the best beer is made.

Even with all of the different brands and clothing stores out there, people are still going to have those moments where they need a piece of clothing fitted or repaired. If you have any skill with a needle or sewing machine, you might want to open up your own home tailor shop. As a tailor, you can perform fittings and alternations for dresses and suits, as well as repair damaged clothes.

Moreover, you might find there's a market for sewing personalization that you could capitalize on as well, especially for sports teams uniforms, wedding gifts, company swag and more.

Start Your Dream Business

Tips for starting a home-based business

Owning a home-based business is a dream that many people have. The good news is, the process is much more straightforward than you might think. If you're already working from home, contracting or freelancing, you may be able to turn your marketable skills into your own home business. Consider the following steps:

1. Craft a business plan

All businesses are born from a solid plan. Your home-based business is no different. Decide your company's purpose, figure out what service or products you will offer and set measurable targets and goals. You should also determine business financing options if you need initial capital to get started. Your business plan may adapt as your company evolves, but it's the foundation your company will grow upon.

2. Carve out a dedicated workspace

If you're new to working from home, you may think the kitchen table or couch makes for a perfect workspace. Unfortunately, when you're running your own home-based business, you may need a designated space to manage your business. This space does not have to be large and can always grow with time, but it should be separate from daily distractions in your home. If you don't have a second room to utilize, consider setting up your workspace in a spare bedroom or another less-trafficked room. You'll appreciate the privacy when you're taking work calls.

3. Choose a business entity

When planning home business ideas, you need to decide what type of business you want to form. Each business type has its own advantages and disadvantages, so make sure you do thorough research before deciding on one.

You don't have to form your own business to work from home, but doing so can be beneficial when filing your taxes and separating personal and business expenses.

The bottom line

If you're exploring small-business ideas from home to find the one that will be cost-effective, fit your skills and inspire you—we hope you found the right idea on our list; or, if not, you at least came up with a brilliant home business idea of your own.

The market for working from home (and home-based businesses) continues to grow, especially in small communities and niche markets. If you're intent on shifting to a home-based career, then, the opportunity is out there to start, sustain and even grow your own business.

On a similar note...

4 Easy Steps to Start a Remote Business

Launching a remote business is a simple and accessible path to freedom. It allows professionals to earn a steady income with a flexible schedule. Remote businesses offer the possibility to make a good living from anywhere in the world.

You won’t need to lease office space, a buy trucks, or maintain expensive equipment. Your computer, a good internet connection, and a desire to provide value to clients are all that you need. With some focused attention and investment in the steps below, just about anyone can make it work.

Why Opening a Remote Business Is Worth It

What if life was more than looking forward to the next vacation? What if that amazing spot on the map was somewhere you spent a few months instead of just a few days? What if your meetings could build around what’s most important instead of what the boss says? These are just a few of the questions entrepreneurs ask themselves before starting a remote business.

Here are four reasons that starting a remote business is worth the risk and investment.

A remote business is less expensive to operate than a brick-and-mortar.

A remote business doesn’t need a physical office or to woo new employees with office gyms, private meeting rooms, or coffee shops. It’s easier for any business to save money when there are no bills for rent, utilities, building maintenance, or office furniture. You simply don’t need the most expensive parts of physical offices.

A remote business can operate on flexible hours.

This is great for business growth because customers don’t have to wait until employees are in the office to get a response. It’s also great for remote teams because running the business doesn’t rely on where your team is. You can operate your business anytime and from anywhere.

Remote businesses have more hiring options.

The prospective employee pool doesn’t rely on local talent with a remote business. Work-life balance is crucial for employees. When you start a remote company, you’re creating opportunities for people who’re excited and ready to help you grow your business who wouldn’t have the chance if you could only hire local employees.

Improved quality of life

One reason people start their own business is to be their own boss and what’s great about being your own boss is the freedom. Digital nomads are certainly a good example of this, but they are not the only ones seeing the benefits of remote work.

Young parents are able to sneak in 10-20 hours work a week that they couldn’t possibly manage if there were a commute involved. Enterprising folks are able to increase their income with a “nights and weekends” remote gig doing what they really want in addition to their day job.

A remote business offers a flexible schedule that can help you make the most of your life. 

The Investment Needed To Start an Online Business

What is your time worth? Most people haven’t spent much time calculating their worth. Many of us accept the average hourly rate for the job we’re doing where we live. But when you start a remote business, this question is vital. 

Most people think you need a lot of money upfront to open a new business, but starting a remote business isn’t about finding startup capital. The budget to launch a business online is incredibly affordable. The following is a short outline of what you need to consider for your initial budget:

• Advertising

You may also need capital for inventory, but many remote businesses sell services and/or digital tools or save on inventory by dropshipping.

The most significant expenditure when you start a remote business is time. Prepare to spend many hours preparing, researching, and planning. If you’re someone who usually looks for fast results, get ready to think about the value of your time long-term. It takes a comprehensive and detailed plan of action to launch a remote business. These details are crucial because of the unique challenges of working remotely.

Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries

There’s something else to consider when you plan to invest your time in your new business. Burnout is a frequent issue for remote businesses. Boundaries and schedules can be tough to maintain without outside enforcement, and remote work requires more self-management than other work methods. Develop healthy habits early and stick to them no matter what. Maintaining high standards for your clients and customers will be challenging if you or your team works too much. 

It’s also important to build friendships and relationships outside of the business. Many think it’s a great idea to start a business with people you care about but consider this example. My friend’s business began as a passion project with her husband. After ten years in business, they found that it was difficult to get away from the business. They often put off conversations about their home, health, and future, sometimes for years, because of the urgent needs of their business. This was challenging for their marriage and affected the success of their business. 

Set clear boundaries early and carefully maintain those boundaries for lasting success. 

4 Steps to Starting a Remote Business

Now that we’ve reviewed the incredible benefits and challenges of remote businesses, it’s time to get started. It is easy and inexpensive to launch a remote business with these simple steps. What will be difficult is making big decisions early on that will grow the business this year and for the long haul.

1. Write a business plan

A business plan can be quick and simple or long and detailed. What kind of business plan you’ll need depends on where you are with your business idea. Every business plan should include the following:

A vision for the future

This section will outline the vision of your plans for your business. Start with a vision statement. Write down all your hopes and dreams for the business, then narrow that vision into a tight and precise pitch. 

Ask yourself why you want to start a remote business. If your reasons are primarily personal, consider your business idea and how working remotely could impact your success. If the reason you’re making your business remote is financial returns, take a close look at your lifestyle and personal obligations to ensure it’s a right fit. 

Opening a remote business is cost-effective, but it’s essential to weigh the other impacts in your vision for the future of your business.

The structure of your remote business

This section is the logistics of the new remote business and should include basic information about business structure, including the products and services offered, key personnel, and business location. 

This section should also cover all relevant information about business operations, including:

• Production 
• Equipment 
• Inventory, shipping, and fulfillment, if it applies to your business

Before writing this section, be sure to learn about the tax and other monetary considerations you’ll need to consider and get ready to dig into the details. For example, local tax laws are complicated, but international tax laws are a much bigger challenge. 

If you’re planning to sell globally online, the business plan should cover your plans to address privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA, whether you plan to offer help documents and support in different languages, and how the various time zones of your future employees will affect your business operations.

A financial plan

Every startup has ups and downs, and the business plan should include clear KPIs and benchmarks. Determine how to measure success from the beginning. These goals will help you prioritize when many urgent issues are competing for your attention. As the business grows, they will also help remind the team to celebrate small wins. 

This section will outline the financial investment and goals for the business. This section should include:

• Sales or profit targets 
• Startup costs and funding sources, if applicable
• An initial balance sheet and cash flow statement

2. Develop a marketing plan

Many startups that fail because their product doesn’t have an audience. The best business ideas solve a problem a specific audience already has and offer a quick and easy-to-understand solution. This means that you will find the most success with marketing in an industry or niche you’re already familiar with. Use that knowledge as a starting point to build a strong marketing plan that adds to your existing thought leadership.

Once you have a clear sense of product and market fit, develop a comprehensive marketing plan. Your plan should outline your target audience and how you will connect with them at each stage of your buyer journey and sales funnel.

These are some great resources for building a marketing plan:

• ​​A Step-by-Step Guide to Develop a Content Marketing Strategy That Converts
• The 5 Best Digital Marketing Strategies for Beginners

Another point to consider with the market fit is that remote businesses have to move quickly to keep up with customer expectations. Often this means proactively anticipating customer needs and pushing to meet requests rapidly.

3. Assemble your team and create a communication plan

Many remote businesses start as individual endeavors, often called microbusinesses. Even if the plan is to go it alone, it’s important to figure out who will support the new remote business when sales start to pick up. 

While there are many decisions a leader can make in the moment, a clear communication and hiring plan for your remote business team will ensure that everyone in the business feels comfortable and confident supporting the company at all times, which will promote growth. The Complete Guide to Remote Employees can offer a clear picture of what most remote employees are looking for.

This is important because a remote business can be challenging to scale. It’s tough to create the all-in mentality of top businesses when a team is remote and distributed. 

Communication with a remote team takes more time and effort, especially when the team is working in different countries, cultures, and time zones. Conflict resolution is also different remotely, and so is what the hiring team is looking for. 

The next step is to create a clear plan to engage your team. It is easy to empathize with busy co-workers when we see them rushing through the office each day. It’s harder to sense and respond accordingly when our remote CFO is late for a meeting because their newborn didn’t sleep last night. Remote businesses also require team members to operate more independently than they may be comfortable with.

As you create a remote communication plan, answer the following questions.

• Do you want a daily check-in call?
• Does your team understand communication better visually or in writing?
• When you can’t walk down the hall to someone’s desk, how do you communicate urgency?
• What can you do to anticipate and address the misunderstandings that can come up over chat or email?
• How much are you comfortable sharing about your plans to run your business?

Transparency is at the top of most remote workers’ wish lists. Create a culture of accountability for yourself and your team from the start. Things can move very quickly when you’re starting a remote business. Setting clear expectations from the start will ensure that your employees understand what their role is in the big picture. 

Make time for your team, and remember that they’re looking to you for leadership, guidance, and support. Plan to incorporate check-in points and benchmarks for each person on the team.

Working remotely can be isolating, and this has an impact on motivation. As you build your communication plan, highlight small moments and big wins to celebrate and outline regular check-ins to keep motivation high.

4. Start with the right tech stack

Finding the right tools for your remote business from the start is crucial. Many online companies start slow and then pick up speed very quickly, making it difficult to learn and adopt new tech tools later. As you begin to sort through the many options, focus on the process first. Don’t let your tech stack guide your remote business processes and policies. The benefits and limitations of each tool are important, but these tools should serve the business, not the other way around. 

For example, sometimes remote meetings can feel less interactive than in-person meetings. So be deliberate about selecting a video conferencing tool that allows your team to communicate meaningfully.

Some considerations to think about:

• What do you want a typical business day to look and feel like for you and your employees?
• What do you want to happen during meetings? 
• What do you want problem-solving to look like on a daily basis?
• What is your process for making big decisions?
• Do the tools you are considering work well together?

We’d like to call out a couple of extra urgent areas when you’re building your tech stack:

Digital security tools

Many businesses experience cyberattacks and other security challenges, so invest early in the right tools and security. Create a careful plan to maintain and update your security resources and policies to ensure your protection aligns with the latest technology.

Connecting your team

There are many subtle ways that people connect in the office. While happy hours and chats about the latest shows have nothing to do with work, these connections can help business operations run more smoothly because they make people more willing to experiment, collaborate, and compromise.

Find ways to encourage these connections remotely from the start. Build a shared culture and make time to nurture that culture. For example, playing a fun game together on Slack or Zoom every few months isn’t enough to build the mutual respect and connection a remote team needs to thrive. But a virtual book or walking club that meets regularly could be a great asset to the team. 

Also, remote businesses don’t have to be global. Consider limiting the remote locations where your team will hire to ensure that it’s in your budget to have in-person team retreats.

Now that you’ve laid the foundation for your remote business to get started, your next step is to plan for growth. For most remote businesses, when sales start to pick up, it’s time to think about growing your team, which means creating an onboarding and employee monitoring plan. 

Continue to expand your tech stack to improve communication and operations, and automate wherever you can for lasting success.

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Business Continuity Planning for Remote Work

Published on June 22, 2023

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Everything you need to know about business continuity, straight to your inbox, remote work - the new norm.

About 98% of remote employees would like to keep their remote work for the rest of their careers if given a chance. Among these employees, 68% believe their remote work experience has been very positive, and 23% claim it to be somewhat positive.

Flexibility is one of the main reasons employees prefer the remote work setupthey can choose when and where to work or live. Many types of remote work, including WFH and hybrid setups, allow staff to maximise productivity and reap the benefits of their preferred work arrangement. However, there are certain challenges for organisations with remote employees, especially when it comes to building and maintaining a business continuity plan .

How do you plan business continuity when you have remote staff? Let's take a closer look into the impact of remote working when building a business continuity strategy and why you should make it an integral part of your overall plan.

Why Remote Work Should Be Part of Business Continuity Planning?

When the pandemic erupted, remote work became the only way to function and maintain business continuity for many organisations. And although WHO declared an end to COVID-19 as a global health emergency, many organisations and employees have chosen to continue with remote working.

But this work setup poses unique challenges to the business continuity strategy since the lack of physical coordination and collaboration makes communication more challenging. However, remote workers must be considered in business continuity and disaster recovery planning.

The first step is to identify key roles and capabilities of your team members. Get feedback about any challenges they face in the remote work setup and how you can address them.

The next step is to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the IT team, as they are crucial to your business continuity and disaster recovery plans, especially when technical issues arise. Your team must be trained to respond quickly to any disruption and maintain critical business functions.

Next, you should encourage open and constant communication with the remote workforce. Your employees are crucial to your organisation and should be involved in your business continuity efforts. Conduct regular check-ins and seek feedback to make an informed decision about your business continuity plans while addressing the issues faced by the remote team.

Examples of Businesses with Remote Workers

Many companies have embraced remote work and built their business models around remote teams. Remote work has become increasingly popular, and more businesses are adopting flexible work arrangements to attract and retain talent from anywhere in the world.

Big companies like Google, Apple, and Slack, to name a few, have offices in many locations worldwide with both office-based and remote workers. Some of these companies, mid- and post-pandemic, even offer their staff the option to work from home on a permanent basis.

Another good example is outsourced customer service solutions that leverage remote workers to provide customer service services to businesses, allowing them to scale their customer support operations efficiently and cost-effectively. Remote customer service agents can work from anywhere, providing flexibility in staffing and allowing companies to serve their customers across different time zones.

It is clear business continuity planning is crucial for companies heavily reliant on remote work. It helps them identify risks, establish protocols, and ensure seamless operations during unforeseen events. By investing in such planning, these companies can minimise downtime and maintain their commitment to providing excellent services to customers, regardless of the circumstances.

Business Continuity Plan for Remote Workers

Remote work is here to stay, and you cannot ignore the increasing need for it. You can use these strategic approaches to develop a sound business continuity plan.

1. Network Capacity Planning

Reliable internet access is crucial for businesses with remote workforce, so organisations must assess their employees' network capacity and internet reliability. The connection is the main link between employees and the organisation, affecting their ability to perform critical functions. While office infrastructure may be optimal, remote locations present limitations that must be considered in business impact analysis and continuity planning.

Supporting remote team members with a stable connection is essential for maintaining communication and business processes during disruptions. Additionally, implementing security measures, e.g. virtual private network (VPN) and firewall, is crucial for effective risk management and preventing cyber attacks in remote working scenarios.

2. Secure Remote Access

Cyber security is a critical aspect of business continuity planning for remote workers. Unlike office environments, home and remote locations have lower cyber security levels, demanding increased attention. Secure remote access must be prioritised to ensure business continuity and protect assets from data loss, cyber attacks, or natural disasters. Consider implementing additional security measures, like multi-factor authentication, to provide an extra layer of protection against unauthorised access to data and confidential applications.

Access management controls, identity verification procedures, and VPN usage are also essential for bolstering security and preventing data loss. Furthermore, integrating tools and technologies that can detect potential threats, such as malware and hackers, should be part of the business continuity plan.

3. Data Backup and Protection

Data is a crucial asset for any organisation, and losing access to it or having it fall into the wrong hands can be risky for the business. To mitigate risks, it is essential to include data protection and backup in your business continuity plans. Encrypting your data is a recommended practice to prevent exposure or unauthorised access to sensitive information. However, hackers often possess the same advanced technologies as companies, making it necessary to have a data backup strategy to ensure business continuity, particularly for critical functions.

Without a data backup plan, your business can expect significant downtime during a disruption. Many companies learned this lesson the hard way during the pandemic. Thus, it is crucial to incorporate a detailed data backup strategy into your BC plans to safeguard essential data from cyber attacks that could potentially wipe out vital information.

4. Provide Essential Devices

Allowing employees to use personal devices for remote work might not be the best approach for ensuring business continuity and protecting against potential threats. If possible, supply essential devices, such as laptops or tablets, to your employees specifically for work purposes. While personal devices can still be used for non-work-related communications, using them for work-related tasks increases the risk of a data breach that could affect the entire organisation.

When providing essential devices to employees, it is important to consider that they may be unfamiliar with the brand or model. To maintain productivity levels, prioritising IT support for remote workers is crucial. By offering support and ensuring employees are comfortable with the devices provided, you can minimise any potential disruptions and maximise productivity during remote work.

5. IT Support

Remote workers don't have access to an in-house IT team to provide support for critical processes. This way, companies should prioritise delivering IT support to remote workers. You must include this in your business continuity management strategy, especially for employees with essential capabilities. Whether dealing with new devices or new IT infrastructure, IT support is critical to allow your employees to achieve the flexibility they need to work remotely.

IT support should not be limited to traditional business hours, especially since it is not uncommon to have remote team members working in different time zones. The IT department should serve as an omnichannel providing support to remote workers on-demand, allowing everyone in the team to maintain productivity and ensure continuity in business operations.

Does Your Business Continuity Plan Include Remote Work?

Remote work is the new normal, whether it is a fully remote or hybrid setup. Companies that adapt and plan ahead for this work setup are advantageous since you can future-proof your business and prepare for potential disruptions. It also ensures that employees who work remotely are geared for whatever challenges are to come.

A business continuity tool and planning are essential to hedge against the risks in flexible work arrangements. C2 Meridian is a web-based tool designed to help you with the day-to-day management of your business continuity plan. Learn more about our Meridian BCMS today and find out how it can benefit your organisation.

Written by Grace Lowe

Operations Manager at Continuity2

With a solid background in sales and support, Grace manages day-to-day activities so that business processes run smoothly, efficiently, and effectively. For the past 3 years, Grace has built and maintained strong relationships with clients, maximising their Business Continuity and Resilience efforts to the fullest.

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Add Remote Workers to Your Business Continuity Plan

How to create an emergency plan for disasters when employees are all over the world.

Disasters happen all the time. Earthquakes strike whether we're ready for them or not. Disease outbreaks happen. Let's not downplay human-caused disasters, either, such as riots, acts of war, and terrorism. They all have unpredictable consequences for the people around them. If you run a company, do you have a business continuity plan for what you and your employees should do in any of these situations? If you have remote employees, what kind of emergency plan do you have involving them?

There's an old joke about backing up your data, "There are two kinds of computer users: those who back up their data and those who haven't lost any data yet." The same is true for emergency preparedness plans. They seem unimportant until the moment you need one.

Creating a plan for any emergency or disaster forces you to think through and document:

how you'll keep the business operating, also called a business continuity plan,

how you will account for employees, and

succession, meaning who will take control if key people are suddenly unavailable.

Businesses can find plenty of resources on how to create an emergency preparedness plan that cover these three points. I've listed several at the end of this article. What many of these resources do not include, however, is how to take into account remote employees.

How do you account for a team when people are spread out all over the world? What unique challenges come up for remote teams in the face of disaster?

Include Remote Workers in Your Accountability Plan

You could easily see how organizations with remote workers might assume they don't need any special considerations for their employees in the face of a disaster. "They're at home! We'll account for them using the same tools and methods we would on any other day."

Unusual disasters happen all the time.

Having lived through a month-long internet outage once, I know firsthand that it's not always as easy as you might expect to get in touch with people and account for them. A severe cyclone knocked out all communications infrastructure. In the first three days, the city where I lived had no landline phones, no mobile phone service, and no Internet. The Internet slowly returned to parts of the city, but it took a full month to resume at my home. More importantly, while I was in the thick of it, I never knew if internet service would return in a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks.

An outage of that magnitude sounds unusual, yes. But 9/11 was unusual, too, and so was Hurricane Katrina and all the aftermath that ensued in New Orleans. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami were unusual. So were the volcanic eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 that grounded air traffic for days, and the Paris attacks of 2015, and the 2017 earthquake in Mexico… "Unusual" disasters happen all the time.

Keep in mind, too, that the whole point of having an emergency management plan is to think through and document what you will do if your standard operating procedures are interrupted.

Imagine an earthquake knocked out services in a major city where your organization has several remote employees. You'd want to account for the people and their wellbeing, but you'd also want a plan in place for who would pick up the work if the affected employees need a week or a month off to take care of themselves, their families, and their property.

For organizations that have both physical offices and remote workers, consider how you will leverage your remote workforce for business continuity if there is a disaster at the physical location.

Learn From Others

I asked a few all-remote companies whether they had plans in place regarding what to do in the event of an emergency. Many had simple contingency plans in the form of service-level agreements with companies that host their data. They were "keep the lights on" plans related to running servers. But almost no one had plans for accounting for their employees. Hubstaff, however, did.

Remote teams need to look for single points of failure

–Jared Brown

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Hubstaff has dealt with an unexpected event that left one employee unavailable to work for two months. When you've suffered the pain before, the need for an emergency preparedness plan becomes real and apparent.

"For remote teams, you need to look for single points of failure," Brown added. "If our customer support lead was unavailable due to a disaster, who would step in and run the team? You need a plan in place that covers how to get in contact with the person or people affected by the disaster, who will take the lead, and what to do if key infrastructure is unavailable due a storm or disaster."

Make a Plan

Let's say your organization already has some type of "keep the lights on" business continuity plan in place. You know what you'll do if there's a server outage, for example. Ideally, you should review and update that plan from time to time. The next time you do (you're probably overdue, no?), use it as an opportunity to also put down some thoughts about how you will account for individuals in the event of a localized emergency.

Here are some questions to ask to help you get started.

How Many Lines of Communication?

How many lines of communication do you have open with remote workers? Likely you have business tools, such as a team chat app and email. What else do you have on file? Do you know each person's mobile number? Is it up to date? Consider collecting alternative means of communication, too, such as a personal email address and IDs for other messaging apps. Do you have an emergency contact for each employee? How long will you wait and not hear from someone before you call their emergency contact?

Outline all the ways you will try to get in touch with an employee, in order, and how long you should wait before trying different avenues. It wouldn't hurt to write down a word about empathy and consideration, too. During a disaster, people can easily forget it, as they're focused on taking immediate action. Giving someone the words, "Your safety and your family come first" can help remind them.

Brown noted that once you do get in touch with an employee who's facing an emergency or disaster, you should always agree on when the next point of contact will be. Come up with a concrete plan for when and how you'll follow up again next.

Who's on the Ground?

Are there other employees nearby who can do a physical check on one another if necessary? Do you know where you have clusters of people in geographic regions? In the event of a localized disaster, nearby people on the ground may have faster and more accurate updates than what other team members hear through news reports. At what point in an emergency timeline would you ask nearby team members to try and get in touch with people who are unaccounted for?

In addition to knowing the name of the city or town where each employee resides, it's not a bad idea to have a map pinpointing each location. Just because you have two people in Minnesota doesn't mean they're anywhere near each other. Another employee in a neighboring state could be much closer.

Who Needs to Know?

If an employee is affected by an emergency situation, who needs to know and how much do they need to know?

On the one hand, it's critical to respect an individual's privacy and not share sensitive information. On the other hand, you need to set clear expectations regarding whether or when the employee might return to work. That's especially important for the people who are tasked with picking up the missing employee's workload, as well as anyone who works closely with them.

Distribute and Verify the Plan

After developing some guidelines, distribute the plan as a work in progress to the core team. Do they understand it? Do they see holes in it? Is each person clear on what she or he should do in different types of situations?

While you might not distribute the entire emergency management plan to all employees, you can communicate the fact that one exists. You can also have employees verify their current details, such as phone numbers and emergency contacts.

Have managers or team leads share any other parts of the plan that are relevant to employees, and make sure individuals know what they can do in an emergency. Additionally, it goes a long way to acknowledge in advance of a disaster, at the point of disseminating the plan, that people's families, health, and wellbeing come first. Send the message, "We care about you. We want to know you're not in danger. But do what you need to do first." If they hear that message ahead of time, they'll know it in the moment as well.

Test the Plan

Running a simulated disaster is an eye-opening experience. A few years ago, I sat down with about a dozen colleagues and did a tabletop emergency preparedness exercise. We were in an office with mostly on-site employees, but people worked from home occasionally. Leading the group was our simulation master, and she was the only person who knew what was about to unfold.

First, the group leader set the scene. It was 8:15 a.m. Some employees were in the office. Some were home. Some were commuting. Then she announced there was breaking news about a disease that seemed to be spreading throughout the city. There were already so many confirmed cases, but the Center for Disease Control had not made any official recommendation for what to do. The simulation master asked us what we'd do.

We started to discuss the situation. How severe was it? Should we tell people it's their choice whether to stay home, stay in the office, retrieve their kids from school? As we realized we had no clear consensus, the simulation master cut us all off with an imaginary phone call from an insider at City Hall who leaked word that the whole city would go on lockdown within the hour. Now what?

The scenario played itself out as it might in real time. Some information we got turned out to be false. New developments kept occurring. We quickly realized how hard it is to reach a consensus when an emergency situation is unfolding.

What we did learn, however, is who had copies of the phone chain, who believed they were in a position to give official word about what to do, and who among us hesitated to take action. Running the simulation didn't leave us with all the answers, but it did let us explore just how challenging it can be to manage a crisis in the moment.

Having even a fairly basic emergency preparedness plan is better than none at all. Regularly update employee information such as numbers, their physical location, alternative email addresses, and emergency contacts (set a calendar reminder or perhaps use a reminder bot in your team chat app). Look for single points of failure, as Hubstaff's Jared Brown put it, and make sure someone knows who would be next in line to take on the work. Make sure the organization's core team, meaning executives and managers or team leads, know that a plan exists. Even a little bit of preparation can go a long way.

For help creating an emergency preparedness plan, small businesses can start with a checklist from the American Red Cross .

Businesses of all sizes can find more information in a free downloadable emergency planning booklet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) .

Ready.gov/business, a website with tips for businesses run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has thorough information about how to create an emergency preparedness plan for businesses , too.

Icons made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com , licensed by CC 3.0 BY

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Writer Jill Duffy has been covering technology broadly since the early 2000s and productivity in particular since 2011. Follow her @jilleduffy.

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Checklist for continuity with a remote workforce

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Organizations need to prepare for emergencies that require employees to suddenly switch from a corporate environment to a home office.

Emergencies can strike at any time, requiring organizations to move quickly to maintain business continuity at scale and minimize the disruption.

Continuity plans must encompass not only the technology required to keep the business up and running, but also the human aspect — making sure employees are well-trained and prepared to work remotely.

As the size of the remote workforce suddenly increases, here is a 10-point checklist for IT leaders to consider when tackling the technology piece of the puzzle.

1. Network capacity planning:  Conduct a capacity analysis to determine whether internet bandwidth is sufficient to handle the increased WAN traffic that occurs when large numbers of employees access the network. Additional items on the capacity planning checklist include firewalls, VPNs and other remote access-related technologies that might be overwhelmed by the increased volume of traffic coming from outside of corporate headquarters.

2. Security monitoring:  Intensify activities designed to detect and prevent attacks. Hackers are likely to take this opportunity to increase malicious activities. Securing the human training can be delivered remotely to ensure that employees remember and follow the organization’s security practices.

3. Identity and access management:  Beef up identity and access management for remote workers through methods such as multifactor authentication.

4. Data protection:  Ensure that security is extended and corporate data is encrypted to prevent the unintentional or malicious exposure of sensitive data.

5. VPNs:  Make sure that VPN agents are installed on every device that connects to the corporate network to provide secure remote access.

6. Devices:  Prepare for a shortage of devices to support the growing number of remote workers. Have a contingency purchase plan as well as a template for quickly configuring the device and loading the appropriate software.

7. Bring your own device (BYOD):  Consider BYOD as supply chains are strained and the ability to get the needed hardware to employees becomes increasingly difficult. Using a cloud-based portal, employees can self-register their devices and download VPNs and other security tools, with the ability to segregate corporate data from personal information.

8. Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI):  Consider deploying a thin client architecture for remote workers as another option. However, upfront planning is required to make sure the thin clients are available and that the back-end server infrastructure is in place to support the thin client model.

9. Collaboration:  Provide strong communication and collaboration capabilities to help keep employees productive and engaged. Organizations may want to look at videoconferencing tools to compensate for the lack of face time to help employees feel more connected. Collaboration platforms such as Microsoft 365 and Teams and Google Workspace are providing new ways of working, connecting and collaborating. Training employees on how to conduct work in these virtual spaces is critical.

10. IT support:  Be prepared for a significant volume increase for IT support. Some employees may have been abruptly moved to a remote access environment, while others may now find themselves with new devices, software or tools they have never used before. And as a remote working model typically provides increases in flexibility, spikes in support needs may not follow the traditional patterns of regular business hours. The IT department needs to be prepared to offer omnichannel and remote support, including video options for face-to-face communications. Of course, service desk employees may themselves be working remotely, so pay special attention to make sure they have the capacity and the tools to respond to service desk issues from their home offices. Proactive and predictive analytics tools, combined with an easy-to-use support portal, can drastically reduce the calls to a strained service desk for rudimentary problems.

As we all know, even the best-laid plans don’t always work perfectly. In the midst of a global crisis, organizations might find that their business continuity plans haven’t accounted for an unprecedented level of scale, urgency, capacity and employee needs. In these instances, organizations should stay in close contact with their preferred vendors. There is no need to go it alone when expert help and support are available.

Unexpected challenges can cause maximum disruption to people’s lives and to business. The way in which we mitigate risks to ease the strain on businesses and their employees will ensure an organization’s ability to continue into the future.

Learn more about DXC Modern Workplace services.

About the author

Dean Fernandes  is DXC Technology’s vice president of Workplace and Mobility. His focus is on customer alignment of IT and core business, and global delivery of large-scale digital IT programs. Dean previously held leadership positions at Pearson Education, where he was responsible for driving the company’s digital transformation of the workplace function. Dean also served at CSC, helped create the MyWorkStyle portfolio and was the general manager of Nortel’s network application services business. 

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Microsoft employee survey data shows the importance of embracing different work styles—and the power of simple conversations

Special Report · April 20, 2021

Research Proves Your Brain Needs Breaks

New options help you carve out downtime between meetings

Special Report · March 30, 2021

In Hybrid Work, Managers Keep Teams Connected

Researchers found that feelings of connection among Microsoft’s teams diminished during the pandemic. They also discovered the remedy.

Annual Report · March 22, 2021

The Next Great Disruption Is Hybrid Work—Are We Ready?

Exclusive research and expert insights into a year of work like no other reveal urgent trends leaders should consider as hybrid work unfolds.

Special Report · 2020-09-22

A Checkup on Employee Wellbeing

Explore how the pandemic is impacting wellbeing at work around the world.

Special Report · 2020-07-08

The Knowns and Unknowns of the Future of Work

Learn how a sudden shift to remote work may have lasting effects around the world.

Special Report · 2020-04-09

Remote Work Trend Report: Meetings

See how global meeting habits changed during the world’s largest work-from-home mandate.

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Privacy Approach

Microsoft takes privacy seriously. We remove all personal and organization-identifying information, such as company name, from the data before analyzing it and creating reports. We never use customer content—such as information within an email, chat, document, or meeting—to produce reports. Our goal is to discover and share broad workplace trends that are anonymized by aggregating the data broadly from those trillions of signals that make up the Microsoft Graph.

StarTribune

Work-from-home working for you feel free to keep doing that, 3m says..

As more Minnesota companies require employees to come into the office at least a few days a week — or every few months — 3M remains all-in on allowing many staffers to work from home full time.

While thousands of 3M manufacturing employees and researchers need to work on-site, for those who can do their jobs remotely, the Maplewood-based company says don't worry about coming into the office. Though it's here if you need it.

"What we heard from our employees was a real desire to maintain some of that flexibility that they were able to achieve during the pandemic, and a real concern that they may not be able to," said Beth Lokken, 3M's Future of Work manager.

"We continue to see this as a real talent differentiator" to attract and retain employees, she said.

3M may be an outlier among major corporations by the end of the year, according to surveys that show a majority will have some sort of return-to-office requirement in place by Christmas if they don't already.

The work-from-home narrative has swung dramatically in corporate America over the last four years. Companies in 2020 and 2021 touted their flexibility and support for remote work, with many promising never to force employees back to the office. Several big firms have since recanted those guarantees.

"In a marked shift from last year, nearly twice as many CEOs would like to see their office workers return to the office over the next three years, and they plan to reward those who do with favorable assignments, raises and promotions," according to a survey last year from professional services firm KPMG.

At the same time, however, many companies are finding it's the work that matters, not the workplace.

"How their teams collaborate is more of a pressing problem than where they work," according to a survey of Fortune 500 executives by Atlassian, a "team collaboration" software company.

The world of hybrid work and measuring employee performance still has some kinks to work out, and it's not about getting folks to unmute on Zoom, the survey showed.

"Despite the fact that almost half of executives assess productivity by tracking office attendance, only one in three think that their return-to-office policy has had any impact on performance," according to Atlassian.

For 3M, a materials science company that depends on collaboration to succeed, the move to hybrid work was already happening before the pandemic — a third of managers had a direct report in other countries. Getting together at the office is still encouraged, but it has to be worthwhile.

"Managers can certainly ask teams to come on site, but it needs to be purposeful, moments that matter," said Lokken, who works out of the Maplewood headquarters a few times a week.

The "moments that matter" language is used by General Mills and other companies that want workers in an office buzzing with activity rather than sitting in a quiet cubicle just to meet an in-office quota.

Tech company Cisco had a similar finding in a study of its workplace policies over three years, declaring that "the office should be a magnet, not a mandate."

"Innovation requires time, not a specific location," the company wrote in a summary of the report last month . "To support this, we must shift our cultural mindset."

Lokken's job was created in 2022 as the corporate world was going in multiple directions on work-from-home policies. It remains an ongoing experiment, one that 3M intends to track and measure.

"We're learning from each other, we're trying new things, we're sharing with different parts of the company about what's working and what's not, and we're measuring results," Lokken said. "And it's kind of exciting, but it's a lot."

One worry among remote workers has been at the center of a corporate controversy lately — whether telecommuters will be passed over for promotions.

Dell recently told employees they can't get promoted if they don't come into the office sometimes, according to Business Insider, a major about-face from a CEO who openly embraced remote work not long ago.

Even without an official policy, there is concern that "proximity bias" can cause managers to inadvertently pass over folks they don't physically interact with as often.

Remote workers were 31% less likely to be promoted over the past year, according to Live Data Technologies , and 35% more likely to be laid off compared to their in-office counterparts.

Lokken said she thinks about this issue often.

"We have looked at whether there's any relationship between your performance rating and remote/hybrid/on-site status, and we're really not finding any trends there that are of concern, which is encouraging," she said. "I think there's more we could do to be looking at that, in terms of promotions."

Lokken, who majored in anthropology before getting her MBA at the University of Minnesota, says she has a "fascination with how people think and what people want," which gives her a wide lens on approaching how people work and managing change.

When asked what the future of work is, Lokken said: "We're learning, and we're never done changing."

Brooks Johnson is a business reporter covering Minnesota’s food industry, 3M and manufacturing trends.

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Don't secretly work multiple jobs if you want to advance in your career, overemployed workers say

• Some people have made as much as $500,000 a year secretly working multiple remote jobs. 
• But splitting time between roles can make it difficult for some workers to advance in their careers. 
• However, some job jugglers say the extra work experience provides valuable skill development . 

While Robert, a Gen Xer living in Florida, was able to earn roughly $335,000 last year as an overemployed worker, he said the high pay came at a cost.

"There is a certain level you cannot be at to perform well on multiple jobs," Robert said. "It's definitely harder to truly advance."

However, Robert was willing to make that trade and held three jobs simultaneously for half the year, which he said required only about 50 hours of work a week. He said the extra income helped him pay down debt and take several expensive vacations — including a roughly $20,000 cruise.

Over the past year, Business Insider has spoken with several people who've made as much as $500,000 annually working two to three remote jobs simultaneously. They've used the extra income to pay off their mortgages , plan for an early retirement , and take luxurious vacations .

But life is full of tradeoffs, and that's as true as ever for the people secretly working multiple remote jobs .

Business Insider asked four current and former overemployed workers whether their career trajectories stalled when they began working multiple jobs, and if so, whether this bothered them. They spoke on condition that pseudonyms would be used for fear of professional repercussions, but BI has verified their identities and earnings.

A lack of career advancement might be worth it for the extra income

Overemployed people are deploying a different career strategy than traditionally employed workers — one that could make it difficult for them to thrive and advance at any single job.

Career advancement is among the top things Robert had to give up in his pursuit of overemployment, he said. He added that it can also be difficult to line up vacation time — it has to be approved by multiple employers.

But ultimately, Robert said the extra income that job juggling has provided him makes it worthwhile. Even if he could earn a comparable income in a more senior role, he said he might prefer the overemployed lifestyle.

"I could be a senior director making $25,000 to $30,000 a month and really stressing, or I can do two to three jobs and cruise through," he said.

Splitting time between jobs is sometimes unsustainable

Job juggling can come with its pros and cons. While having multiple jobs can be stressful and require long hours , most people have told Business Insider that it's worth it for their higher incomes.

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In the same vein, intense competition for remote roles and return-to-office mandates could make overemployment a difficult strategy to sustain over the long term — and working multiple jobs could be a fireable offense if one is ever found out . But for many workers, the extra job security that can come with having multiple jobs outweighs these concerns.

Career advancement — and how much one values it — is another factor many job jugglers are forced to consider.

William, a Texas-based tech worker in his 30s who earned over $500,000 in 2022 secretly working multiple remote roles, also weighed his professional progress.

Working as much as 14 hours a day across his roles meant he didn't have much time to relax, William said. He also found it difficult to dedicate sufficient time to each of his jobs.

"It was definitely a trade-off of short-term financial gains," he said of overemployment. "It did make it harder to put in 100% in either role, which is required to move ahead in your career.

In February 2023, only eight months after he started, William decided to resign from his two corporate jobs and focus on his consulting business.

Overemployment can provide workers with valuable experience

Not every overemployed worker agrees that working multiple jobs is bad for career advancement.

John, a millennial IT professional in California, was on track to earn over $300,000 last year across two remote jobs.

He said the skills he's learned in one job have sometimes helped him become more productive at his other job. He thinks this has made him a more valuable worker and could ultimately help him progress in his career.

"If anything, it makes me more creative in my work because I can look at problems in different ways," he said.

If job juggling helps John land more senior roles — and these roles have greater job responsibilities — it may be difficult for him to continue job juggling. But that might not have to be the case, based on other overemployed workers' experiences.

Justin, an IT engineer in his 50s, earned over $300,000 in 2022 secretly working three full-time, remote IT engineer jobs. By the time he began job juggling, he said he had already advanced considerably in his career and wasn't concerned about his job trajectory.

"I didn't have future advancements I was looking toward," he said. "But I can afford to travel now. So I'm not really giving up relaxation time. So really what have I given up? Nothing."

Are you working multiple remote jobs at the same time and willing to provide details about your pay and schedule? If so, reach out to this reporter at [email protected] .

Watch: Nearly 50,000 tech workers have been laid off — but there's a hack to avoid layoffs

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