Is ‘Remote’ a Four-letter Word?

RemoteIsFourLetterWordIn today’s business climate, in which it’s become increasingly common for a company’s staff to be geographically dispersed, many hiring managers still cringe at the thought of bringing aboard a new employee who must work remotely.

Even when the best candidate for a particular position happens to live in a location that precludes them from working onsite, many businesses would rather hire a less-qualified candidate simply because he or she is able to show up at the office every day.

In the article, “5 Ways to Build Collaboration Beyond Company Walls to End ‘Remote Work’ Myths,” courtesy of smallbiztechnology.com, the author provides convincing food for thought for those who still harbor remote-work hang-ups.

From the piece: “With small, midsize and large businesses realizing that their options for hiring talented employees expand enormously when they remove location requirements, it’s time to rethink the way companies manage workers without borders. Doing so takes a combination of technological tools and basic communications skills. A good first step is to exorcise the myths about what remote work really means.”

But how to go about exorcising those remote-work myths? Start by understanding the technologies and team-building methods commonly deployed by successful companies that understand hiring the best available talent takes precedent over workplace proximity.

The author of the article elaborates on the many benefits provided by the following options:

  • Videoconferencing
  • Instant messaging
  • Cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM)
  • Occasional site visits
  • Web-based project management

Obviously, many businesses provide the types of services that require staff to be on location. But if you’re among those in a business environment where staff location doesn’t have to be a concern, yet find yourself clinging to the notion that productive work only happens in the office, I encourage you to read the smallbiztechnology.com article in its entirety and see whether your mindset changes.

As always, thanks for reading.

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