Step-By-Step Checklist to Start your Remote Journey Today

As businesses and employees alike continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are turning to remote work as a viable solution. If you’re among those considering making the switch, there are some things you need to do first to set yourself up for success.

Check out this step-by-step checklist to get started today!

Step 1. Develop a Plan to Transition Toward a Remote Workforce

Before you can leap to remote work, you need to define your goals. What are you hoping to achieve by making this transition? Once you clearly understand your goals, you can start developing a plan to make them a reality.

Moreover, you can research your options by determining what type of remote work arrangement will best suit your needs. For instance, have you considered if nearshoring is right for your business?

Finally, you can create a budget. This would be helpful if you consider staffing expenses in your plan to transition toward a remote workforce. Learn more about planning your staffing expenses in this blog post.

Step 2. Communicate With Your Team to Set Clear Expectations

If you’re going to be working remotely, it’s essential to set clear expectations with your team from the outset. This way, everyone knows what is expected of them and can work together to make the transition smooth.

Be sure to discuss how often you’ll be checking in, what mode of communication you will be using, how to respond to inquiries, how work will be assigned, and what deadlines need to be met.

By setting clear expectations at the beginning, you can avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Step 3. Implement Onboarding and Socialization Alternatives to Foster Bonds Between Employees

When working remotely, it can be challenging to build the same types of relationships as you would in a traditional office setting. However, there are many things you can do to help foster bonds between employees.

For instance, you can implement an onboarding program that helps new hires acclimate to your company culture and values.

Additionally, you can create socialization opportunities, such as virtual happy hours or coffee chats, to help employees get to know one another personally.

By taking the time to build relationships between employees, you can create a more cohesive team that is better equipped to work together effectively.

Step 4. Use a Project Management Software

If you’re going to be working remotely, it’s crucial to have a system to help you stay organized and on track. Project management software can be an invaluable tool in this regard.

With project management software, you can create and assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. This is especially helpful if you’re working with a team, as it can help you ensure that everyone is on the same page and working toward common goals.

Not sure about what project management is? Check out this blog post to discover it.

Step 5. Promote Remote Employees’ Wellbeing in the Workplace

Just because your employees are working remotely doesn’t mean you can forget about their wellbeing. It’s essential to make sure that your remote employees stay healthy and happy in the workplace.

You can do many things to promote wellbeing, such as offering flexible work hours, providing access to mental health resources, and encouraging breaks throughout the day.

By promoting workplace well-being, you can help your employees stay healthy and productive.

Tom Oxley will tell you everything about workplace mental health in this TED talk video.

Step 6. Use Metrics to Measure Your Success

Finally, it’s important to use metrics to measure your success. This way, you can identify areas that need improvement and make necessary changes to ensure the success of your transition.

You may want to track employee satisfaction, productivity levels, and attendance. By monitoring these metrics, you can better understand how your transition is going and make changes as needed.