Ep 15. Successful Remote Work Is A Culture Decision

Working from home has become a primary option for organizations of today, and the effects on the modern workplace will far be far-reaching. Tammy Bjelland of Workplaceless is among those leading the transition from office spaces to a remote work model, but her journey to the forefront of the work from home movement began in a typical cubicle decades ago. Sylvia is joined by Tammy who reveals the secrets to being successful remotely. ***Spoiler alert, it's an intentional business decision that needs to be approached strategically.  [0:50] Discovering Flexibility  Tammy begins by highlighting the central benefit of remote work: flexibility. Working remotely allows individuals location independence, and during her tenure working abroad in Spain she realized that she had a passion for achieving this unique work life balance. While there are some limitations to the remote work model,  she believes the positives greatly outweigh the negatives. More importantly, the professional world is discovering the same in the COVID-19 crisis. [4:05] Expertise, Equipment, Environment In Tammy´s experience, there are three fundamental factors that dictate the success of a work from home initiative. The first is the proper mindset, the knowledge that remote work is only possible through a model that works for every member of your organization. Second, the technology to support a work from home model is indispensable, and it is the responsibility of team leaders to ensure they maintain the proper tools for their teams to be effective. Finally, employees should have the proper environment for productivity, a dedicated space free from outside distractions and disturbances. [7:43] Purpose and Planning A strategic approach to implementing remote work into your organization´s toolbox goes a long way toward optimizing your company´s remote work capabilities. It is important to establish clear reasons for the move that fit with your company's culture as well as its stated goals. Metrics for success are also key to establish beforehand. How will productivity be measured? How will you support each individual team member offsite? Are there compliance considerations? Considering these aspects of transitioning to a work from home model early gives you the best chance of making a successful transition. [10:58] Tailored to Fit There is no one-size-fits-all solution to incorporating remote work capabilities into your organizational toolbox. Each company is different, and will require an individualized approach. For example, companies in the tech space can often afford a significant degree of informality in their operations, while firms that deal in government contracting necessitate a more structured environment onsite or remotely. In any event, the change starts at the top, and so organizational leaders must be decisive about these changes or risk weakening their organizational structure and culture. [19:07] Your Best Ability is Adaptability  The most significant challenge to transitioning to a work from home model is the decreased degree of control team leaders--as well as those they manage--accept in order to make the company as a whole more flexible. Unlike with an office atmosphere, it is almost impossible to control every element of  an environment when employees work offsite. Providing your employees with the proper tools for the job minimizes these difficulties, and makes them better able to respond to the needs of the organization wherever their lives take them. About Tammy Bjelland Results-oriented eLearning executive with a proven record of innovation in location-independent careers and a reputation for strong leadership in instructional design. Skilled in corporate eLearning curriculum development,...