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Every StartUp's Guide to Remote Working: 10 Things You Need To Know

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Laxitha Mundhra
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Post the pandemic, more and more people are working remotely. The work from home trend is here to stay. In fact, as a startup, you will probably save some cost at hiring remote workers. But now, it gives rise to more problems than the cost it saves. On the flip side, you can easily mitigate some of those problems. Thus, here are 10 basic tips and practices that most professionals suggest.

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10. Communication

Remember, it is hard as it is. Beyond the simple daily check-ins, communicating more is important. Usually, less communication is already a challenge in a normal workplace environment. But when employees are working remote – and potentially now focused on new or different tasks and goals, communication is paramount.

Use tools like Zoom, Google Hangouts and Microsoft Teams, even just routine WhatsApp Video Calls. These will provide simple platforms for communication.

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Email, text, IM, Slack, and other written methods of communication are prone to misunderstandings. When you sense this is happening, be quick to pick up the phone to resolve issues.

9. Cut yourself some slack, and use Slack

Working for a startup before, we had a group on Slack. It was called "Water Cooler Chat". On days, when we were remotely working, every day after lunch, we'd log-in there and talk about random stuff. It kept our fun time just like during the office days.

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Take regular breaks from work, and talk about the random talks you had in the office.

8. No Meeting Days

Implementing measures like no-meeting days as seen in businesses as diverse as Facebook, Asana, and Okta can help cut down on unproductive meetings. This ends up saving a lot of time and gives employees back their time to focus on doing actual work that needs more attention.

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Read More: Tips to implement no-meeting days for your team!

7. Know when to “log off”

I know a startupreneur cannot look at the clock and work. It's the time when you are making the business, but that does not mean you do everything, every time, together. You can’t do everything as you only have so much time, energy and ability to focus. So, prioritise. Choose the places which should receive your full attention and the places that can do without you.

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Log off, take that 7 hours sleep and follow it. The best part of working remotely is having the flexibility to work when you are most productive, so be careful about setting the standard that you are available 24/7.

6. Schedule tasks

This may seem like a throw in the unknown, but for many managers and teams new to remote working, this is important. Use your time to work for the future, rather than present. Schedule the non-current tasks and meeting and follow the timetable.

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Keep your Sundays off-work and have that family time.

5. Ask "How do you think things are going?"

Now that the working from home is here to stay for the foreseeable future, decide on whether you want it like this, or does this stay till the pandemic (for you). Since this is new territory for experienced and aspiring managers alike, counsel your employees.

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Start by asking an open-ended question like: How do you think things are going? Then listen very carefully to how the employee describes the problem with their performance. This could be a session where you talk about the work, performance etc. Or just want to know their general mental health.

Once in a while, ask the question to yourself too.

4. Pay attention to cybersecurity issues

Follow some simple housekeeping rules. Update the software on your machine, install a firewall, shut down your laptop/PC and restart at regular intervals. You will also need to clear cache and cookies periodically, uninstall unused programs and regularly update antivirus patches and other apps. Finally, back up data regularly.

3. Move around the house, take time for physical activities

Join that Yoga class or the online cooking class. If it is not possible, every once in a while just move around the house, talk to the family or roommate and get some fresh air. (No one means cigarettes by that).

You may even discover new, funny quirks about your significant other while working remotely. At the end of the day, try to embrace the additional quality time you have with your family. After all, isn’t that all that really matters? In fact, now might even be a good time to start a craft project or pick up a hobby like pottery or gardening.

2. Keep your work computer separate from the common computer

2020 has not treated us best. We can all agree on that. In fact, with the Vorona-virus, there are many cyber viruses that have led to cybersecurity problems. Instead of solving the problem, you can make sure that the problem does not exist. As long as you are using a VPN, not allowing other family members to use your computer, you will have fewer cookies. If you have to share your computer, create a separate user profile for others to use.

1. Even at home, work stress is more. Be a friend to your team (and yourself)

You can't control the work environment. Perhaps a teammate is struggling with something at home, and it affects his/her work. Try to coach them, talk to them and motivate them. This will not help now, but also in the long run. Today's workforce wants more work-satisfaction, and if a budding startup they will stay in the long-run. This also applies to you. Don't burn out. Take a small vacation out, organise movie nights, book readings or in general "a chit-chat" call.

Read More11 Things A Budding Entrepreneur Must Absolutely Know