The business landscape has dramatically changed with the advent of COVID-19. More people are working remotely and with that comes other challenges, particularly for those in charge. Our Managing Remote Work course will give managers, supervisors, remote workers and virtual assistants insights into managing teams, staff and projects remotely — collaboratively and successfully.

In this managing remote work course you will learn about the nature of the remote workplace, the benefits of remote work, how to balance the benefits and challenges, and how to adapt to remote work in different sectors. You will also discover technology that aids remote work and client interaction, including live chats, webinars, live streams and online events.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a managing remote work course include:

• Learning about the nature and definition of remote work
• Exploring the ongoing shift towards remote work
• Gaining an understanding of traditional forms of remote work, industry and employment
• Studying how to create a home workspace
• Examining workplace obligations for satellite remote work sites and home offices
• Understanding building codes, insurance and materials
• Attaining knowledge of the scope of remote workplaces for different goods and service business structures
• Gaining insights into the challenges and benefits of working remotely
• Learning about productivity, time management and social loafing
• Exploring interruptions and insufficient coordination
• Gaining an understanding of time management, travel time and achieving flow state
• Studying trust, talent acquisition, confidentiality and data protection
• Examining the impact of remote work on businesses, employees, remote workers and the environment
• Understanding working in different industries and comparative practices
• Attaining knowledge of accessing technological equipment, supporting Telehealth workers and managing chronic, rehabilitative and long-term care
• Studying how to maintain focus and student motivation
• Examining the retail sector, basics and groceries, luxury goods, non-essential goods, food services and financial/admin services
• Understanding the technologies used in communicating remotely
• Attaining knowledge of face to face vs. remote communication
• Gaining insights into how to create a positive share culture in the workplace
• Learning about feedback, engagement, knowledge sharing, one-on-one meetings and how to effectively use different types of remote communication
• Exploring letters, emails, telephone calls, SMS, instant messaging, online chats and working remotely with clients
• Gaining an understanding of managing and supporting staff remotely
• Studying leadership and group culture, accountability and remote working
• Examining communication, personality, motivation and monitoring employee output and work quality
• Understanding how to build and sustain a remote work culture, review staff, perform appraisals and recruit and train
• Attaining knowledge of hiring and training staff and manage professional development
• Gaining insights into stress, burnout and the symptoms and effects of stress
• Learning about staff wellbeing, unmotivated staff and occupational health and safety considerations
• Attaining knowledge of breakout rooms, one-to-one meetings, virtual booths and live chats and streams
• Gaining insights into team building and planning an online event
• Learning about developing a plan for remote working
• Exploring how to schedule work, manage and track time and time block
• Gaining an understanding of the pomodoro and interval methods
• Studying how to plan for resources and risks and contingency
• Examining files, materials and backups
• Understanding homecare, childcare and illness

And more!

Australian Remote Working Statistics

According to new workforce data, three in ten Australian businesses currently allow staff to work remotely, and a majority of them expect the trend to continue in the long-term.

A report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) earlier this year outlines how companies are adapting to life after the COVID-19 shutdowns of 2020, and how many plan to turn what was necessary into an established business practice by managing remote work.

Prior the shutdowns, one in five organisations nationwide already permitted some form of teleworking. In September 2020, this figure peaked at four in ten, although it has tapered off as government restrictions ease. However, 80 per cent of companies still permit a portion of their workforce to work from home or anywhere that has internet connection (coffee anyone?)

Although some sectors do have concerns. These include the commercial real estate industry which is pushing for a return to the physical workplace as it believes it stimulates nearby businesses and boosts workplace culture. Some tech companies that originally pushed for the work-from-home transition are also asking questions, including what will happen to business camaraderies and will extended periods away from the office encourage workers to work overtime or hardly work at all?

However, the ABS data does answer some of the lingering concerns around workplace affinity and burnout. In fact, 45 per cent of businesses that permitted remote work reported an increase in staff well being and a quarter said productivity has increased. But there is a clear bias in the figures towards industries which don’t strictly require work on-site. Overall, the report suggests that remote work isn’t ideal for every business, but neither is a working week that is confined to being in the office. How things have changed!

Source:

2021, 4 in 5 Australian businesses say that remote work is here to stay long term, even as offices reopen nationwide, Business Insider Australia

 

Four PC Business Telecommuting Tools

As managing remote work becomes the norm, it’s vital that businesses build a portfolio of tools that will help them stay connected and productive. Thankfully, the IT sector wasn’t caught unawares in terms of software with the advent of COVID-19. Several tools were designed during the drive for digital transformation over the past few years that have enabled employees to be more connected in different geographic areas, including in the areas of project management and online collaboration. Here are four telecommuting tools recommended by PCMag Australia.

1. Slack

Slack is a market leader among business messaging apps because it is highly intuitive with a range of features. Essentially this app is about easy, fast and focused communication between employees. It is also highly customisable in terms of other service integrations and software. The app is easy to deploy quickly and its more advanced features can be accessed easily, including the ability to conduct video calls, assign discussion channels to business topics, and leverage integrations allowing users to access to apps like Google Analytics. It also has business messaging and collaboration and file-sharing features. Slack also continues to evolve with new mobile and desktop apps that make communication and collaboration between teams more intuitive.

2. Zoom

Although Slack offers basic video calling, Zoom is a dedicated video conferencing solution. It is easy to use and has a competitive set of features. This includes users not needing to download a client to access Zoom’s features — you just click a link to join a call with full capabilities. What really sets it apart from its competitors, however, is easy access to other advanced features like precise audio and video controls, the ability to blur or add backgrounds, and easy scalability for larger groups so you can not just conduct meetings, but also webinars and classes. Along with these benefits, Zoom has top performance, non-fuss connectivity and is affordable, with its selection of free plans.

3. Microsoft OneDrive for Business

One of the key issues when it comes to remote work is the issue of data safety. Employing a flexible, reliable and easily-accessed file sharing and cloud storage solution is vital for businesses with staff working remotely. It ensures your organisation’s documents can be accessed while keeping data accessible, secure and backed up. Microsoft OneDrive for Business is a clear leader among the business file sharing solutions, and is ahead of its competitors due to its pricing structure and ability to integrate with Microsoft’s portfolio of business productivity apps. It is an ideal solution for small to mid-size businesses that already use other Microsoft solutions like Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Office 365.

4. Asana

Keeping workers productive during COVID-19 has become complicated. Managers need to be more focused on making sure their staff stay engaged, social and connected with their team members. However, they also can’t lose focus on deadlines, tasks and task ownership. Asana is a people and project management tool that combines the best of online collaboration with time management and project and team-oriented task tracking. It’s also fairly simple to learn and easily deployed. It takes into account flexible work hours and shifting time schedules, maintains a flow of communication through a variety of integrations with other tools like Slack, and offers an affordable subscription pricing model.

Source:

2020, 5 Tools For Your Business Telecommuting Toolkit, PCMag

 

Gain the skills and knowledge to confidently manage remote work projects and staff with our Managing Remote Workcourse.