If there is something that was impressed upon us after the 2020 pandemic, it is that almost all jobs can be done 100% remotely.
Although it is true that there are certain limitations in some professions, in general terms, we could say that almost all jobs can be done online. The latter is particularly true in the world of technology.
According to a global study published by Statista, in 2023, The technology industry was the sector with the highest percentage of remote work worldwidewith 67.8%. In second place are agencies and consultancies with more than 50% remote work, and in third place are the financial industry and insurance companies.
Another interesting fact from the same publication is that remote work is the star among the population between 24 and 35 years old, and that this group also particularly values the flexibility and autonomy that working fully remotely implies.
That is to say, on the one hand we have the world of technology leading the ranking of remote work, and on the other, the under-35 population that seeks virtuality. In the middle are companies that face the challenge of developing an appropriate work structure that accompanies market demands to stay competitive.
And what’s more competitive than a great work environment?
Companies need to be attractive to this population by promoting a pleasant work environment. To do this, they have to take into account the following characteristics:
- Promote trust within teams.
This is achieved by giving employees the necessary tools so that they can work comfortably, managing their time and at their own pace. Generating an environment of trust between team members, colleagues and superiors translates into greater productivity in the long term for the company.
Implementing feedback instances so that each employee knows what is working and what could be improved, while listening to how they feel and how they want to grow professionally, is key to developing a sense of belonging. Likewise, recognizing achievements, giving prizes and gifts on special dates (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) also generates a great sense of connection.
- Promote clear communication.
Prioritizing clear and effective communications between teams is vital to success in a remote environment. Defining clear communication channels is the first step to achieve this. In a routine where everything is online, it is very easy to fall into disconnection and isolation, which is why it is necessary to define places to communicate (not only formally, but also generate the famous hallway chats).
- Collaboration between teams.
Providing tools so employees can share documents, exchange messages, and manage projects efficiently are key components for a virtual work team to work smoothly. This will 100% depend on the company, the industry, and the job itself (but tools like Slack, Asana, and Trello are highly recommended).
- Have the right equipment.
Another of the great tricks on how to create a good work environment is to hire the right staff. This means that employees have to have certain soft skills (such as: communication skills, work self-management, and being results-oriented).
The autonomy to be able to work independently, meeting stipulated dates and responding to the team’s requirements will have a direct impact on the entire company, on productivity, and on the work environment generated.
- Define a remote work policy.
To lay the foundations for a good work environment, it is necessary to define a clear remote work policy. For example: promoting asynchronous work – especially if you work with people in other parts of the world – is vital to achieving good long-term results.
Developing a good work environment depends on several factors that range from purely corporate situations (establishing a clear remote work policy, defining communication channels, recognizing employees for their work), to issues that are more personal (having certain characteristics such as time self-management and results-oriented work).
Companies today have to balance between what the world demands – virtuality – and what they can offer based on their resources.
CEO of FlyDevs.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
