Although there are numerous benefits to virtual/working from home, there are still many personal challenges that people face, which can include — loneliness, interruptions from family members, psychological implications from the lack of separation between work time and home time, as well as lack of focus or time-wasting.
In this text, we will share with you several important personal work practices that will help you be productive while working from home. However, it should be noted that not all people face this type of challenge, so it is especially important for companies to provide all employees with guidelines, resources, and training for virtual/working from home.
Timeliness = 1 minute early
Establish a rule that being on time for a video meeting means being online 1 minute early. This means if a video meeting is scheduled for 09:00, be logged in at 08:59.
This practice doesn’t differ much from the practices that employees have when they are at their workplaces, however due to the use of technology, links, connections, and inclusion of multiple people, it is especially important to be clear with your standards, practices, and integrity so that you don’t waste others’ time and show respect for their time.
Of course, mishaps can happen, and in those situations it is especially important to notify other participants in time if you are late. Adopting this rule contributes to better and more constructive collaboration with other people involved in the work.
Time for e-mail, chat vs. time for independent work
If you are constantly engaged on e-mail or chat, you are always multitasking. Numerous studies indicate that to achieve maximum effectiveness and productivity, it is necessary to dedicate time to one task and enter a phase of deep work.
It is recommended to introduce a practice of planning in advance time for deep and focused work on one task.
During this time of focus, it is important to manage potential interruptions at home, close your e-mail, chat, and other applications that send notifications. This rule needs to be communicated with all colleagues, and periods of availability should be defined to avoid the expectation of immediate availability and quick response.
Sometimes a quick reaction, response, and coordination is needed, which is why employees should be reminded to periodically check communication platforms throughout the work day and provide a timely and appropriate response.
Defined work location
When working at a company, each employee has their own defined workplace where they can have privacy and minimize interruptions such as unnecessary phone calls in order to dedicate themselves to focused work.
In conditions of working from home, it is recommended that employees create one defined work location, in which they will be able to focus on work, have a sense of privacy and certain protection from interruptions at home.
Pomodoro technique and music
To create space for focused work, the Pomodoro technique is especially helpful (where you set an alarm for a work block of 25 or 50 minutes, followed by a 10-minute break). This practice proves in practice to be very effective for focus.
The Pomodoro technique can be combined with music; there are many channels that offer music created for increasing focus that you can integrate with the Pomodoro alarm.
Recommendations for managers leading teams during crisis times
It’s almost unnecessary to mention that a large number of employees feel anxious, scared, burdened, or frustrated with the current situation.
Team members expect managers to provide them with a sense of security, clarity, and direction, as well as a feeling that they are safe, protected, and supported.
For these reasons, it is especially important for companies and managers to create a socially connected, online culture that will enable regular and normal communication, collaboration, mutual support — professional and personal.
One of the best and simplest ways is through creating and accepting company practices for social connection together with work productivity. Numerous experiences indicate that the level of trust, camaraderie, and cohesion built through the application of these practices leads to better business results, better companies, and has a positive influence on clients and the community in which the company operates.
Do you need help?
If you need help or advice related to managing virtual teams, contact us at the e-mail addresses and phone numbers found on our website: www.vivendumsolutions.com.mk.
