Top 6 Places To Work From When Working Remotely
More and more people are now working remotely, thanks to the wonders of modern technology. But just because you can work from anywhere doesn't mean you should. Knowing which places yield the most productive work environments can make all the difference in the success of your work life. Read more !
More and more people are now working remotely, thanks to the wonders of modern technology. But just because you can work from anywhere doesn't mean you should. Knowing which places yield the most productive work environments can make all the difference in the success of your work life.
In this article, we'll go over the top places to work from when working remotely and the benefits they offer. We'll also examine the various considerations business owners need to take when allowing their employees to work remotely.
Let's get right into it.
Which Are The Best Places To Work Remotely?
Here are our top picks for the best places to work when working remotely.
1. Home
Your home can be one of the best places to work from when working remotely, especially if you have a dedicated home office setup. You can design your office space to maximize productivity and comfort, and you don't have to deal with distractions like noisy coworkers or colleagues dropping by your desk.
Another advantage of working from home is that it can save you money on commuting costs and expensive office attire. And if you have young children, working from home allows you to spend more time with them while still getting your work done.
However, there are some downsides to working from home that business owners need to be aware of. For instance, it can be easy to get distracted by household chores or family members when trying to work. And if you don't have a dedicated working spot, finding a quiet place to focus can be challenging.
2. Coffee Shops
Working from a coffee shop can be a great way to get out of the house and enjoy people-watching while you work. The aroma of coffee and the sound of people chatting can help some people focus and be more productive. And if you need a break from working, you can always step away for a quick cup yourself.
Of course, there are also some drawbacks to working in coffee shops. They can be noisy places, which can make it difficult to concentrate. And since they're usually public places, you may not feel comfortable working on sensitive or confidential projects. Unless specific security protocols are in place, as well as being able to ensure that your wifi connection will be strong, rethinking a coffee shop might be a good idea.
3. Libraries
Libraries can be great places to work when you need to focus and get some serious work done. They're usually quiet places with plenty of resources, like computers and printers, that you can use for work. And if you need a break, you can always browse the shelves for something new to read.
However, there are some drawbacks to working in libraries as well. For one thing, they tend to have strict rules about noise levels, so you may not be able to make or take phone calls while you're there. And since they're usually public places, if an employee is easily distracted, it may not be the best place for them to work.
4. Co-Working Spaces
Co-working spaces allow people to come to work independently but still be around others. They usually have a variety of amenities, like coffee and tea, wifi, and even printers and scanners. Some co-working spaces also offer events and networking opportunities.
Working in a co-working space can help you feel more connected and less isolated than working from home. It can also be a great place to meet new people and collaborate on projects. However, some co-working spaces are more of a social hangout than a place to get work done. Depending on your business type, this may or may not be ideal.
5. Parks
Working from a park can be a great way to enjoy some fresh air and Vitamin D while you work. When it’s time to take a break, you can always take a walk or run around the park to clear your head. While not something a location that many might consider, parks also offer specific spots that are very quiet during particular hours, which might be perfect for getting some work done.
A good internet connection is one of the main concerns of working from a park. If there is no way to get a stable connection, it's best to look for another spot.
6. The Beach
The employee is living the dream life! But, sand and margaritas notwithstanding, the beach is a great place to set up shop for a couple of hours to get some work done. The sound of waves crashing against the shore can relax and help some people focus. And a dip in the water can be a great way to refresh yourself when you need a break.
While this last location was more tongue-in-cheek, we encourage you to think out of the box when attempting to find a place to work from. And if you have the opportunity to work from a beach that hits the key factors we're getting into below, well, more power to you!
7 Key Considerations When Working Remotely
Let's now consider some key factors when trying to find the best place to work remotely.
1. The Importance Of Having The Proper Workflows
A workflow is a sequence of steps to complete a task. When you're working remotely, it's essential to have efficient workflows in place so that you can be as productive as possible.
There are a few things to consider when creating such workflows. First, you need to figure out what tasks you need to complete and what the order of those tasks should be. Then, you must determine what tools and resources you need to complete each task. And finally, you need to establish a timeline for each job so you can stay on track.
Creating efficient workflows can be a bit of a trial and error process. But once you find ones that work well for you, they can make a big difference in your productivity. There are also whole companies that specialize in helping you optimize your workflows. The right Hubspot workflow guide can help you get started in terms of streamlining your work processes to get more done.
2. Have The Right People In Place
From hiring a social media virtual assistant that can help with content creation to working with a bookkeeper who can handle your finances, it's essential to have the right people to support you when you're working remotely.
The right team will be able to take care of the day-to-day tasks that need to be done so that you can focus on the bigger picture. In addition, when you have a team in place, you can delegate tasks so that you're not trying to do everything yourself.
3. Develop A Leadership Style That Works
The right leadership style influences organizational productivity more than you might have thought. In a remote work setting, developing a leadership style that works is essential since you're not in the same physical space as your team.
There are a few different ways to lead when you're working remotely. You can be more hands-off and let your team take care of things independently. Or you can be more hands-on and provide direction and guidance when needed. Finding the right balance that works for you and your team is critical.
Once you find such balance, managing a cross-cultural remote team can be a dream - rather than a nightmare.
4. Keep An Eye On Your Key Numbers
When working remotely, it's essential to keep an eye on your critical data to see how you're doing and make adjustments as needed.
With key critical remote worker metrics to track, trying to keep an eye on everything can be overwhelming. But to start, there are a few key numbers that you should focus on. First, track the total hours worked and the time each task takes to complete. That will help you see where employees (or yourself if you’re doing this exercise) are spending your time and if you need to make any adjustments.
The great news is that as you get better at optimizing your workflows, you'll likely find that you can complete tasks more quickly. However, you can only know this if you track the correct data meticulously.
5. Invest Your Budget Wisely
When working remotely, it can be tempting to think you’re getting away with spending less. While this is true regarding items needed when working in the same physical space (like fancy coffee machines and even the actual office), investing such savings wisely can help your team in the short and long run.
For example, if you invest in good quality laptops for your time, you'll likely save money over time since you won't have to replace them often. As another example, if you have the budget for it, hiring a part-time, remote assistant can save you time and money by taking care of tasks you don't have time for.
From learning how to invest 100$ to turn it into 1000$ to understanding how to save money on your taxes, you can be smart about your finances when you're working remotely.
6. Make Your Employee Experience As Straightforward As Possible
Have you ever been web surfing and ended up on a website so confusing that you immediately left? On the flip side, you might remember when a website was so user-friendly and straightforward to use that you were left impressed with the whole experience.
Consider a solitaire playing website that allows you to start playing as soon as the page loads and provides all the rules, tips, game types, and more on your mouse's scroll. How easier is that compared to a website that has you sign up for an account before you can even start playing?
All of this applies when it comes to employees working remotely. Making the employee experience as straightforward as possible is one of the best ways to reduce training time and increase productivity.
From using an online project management tool to setting up weekly check-ins that are on point and follow an agenda, you can make the employee experience the best it can be. You'll likely find your employees more productive and engaged when you do.
7. Encourage Collaboration
When you're working remotely, it can be easy to feel isolated and alone. But there are several ways that you can encourage collaboration, even when you're not in the same physical space.
The options are various, from video conferencing to setting up regular team lunches. When you take the time to set up such teamwork, you'll likely find that everyone delivers more.
Conclusion
When working remotely, it's essential to be aware of the unique challenges that come with it. In addition, considering the factors that make up the right work location is critical as this can make or break your (or your employees’) productivity.
By following the tips and thoughts in this article, you'll be on your way to creating a productive and enjoyable working experience, no matter where work happens.