As of this writing, the state of Florida has begun the process of reopening its beaches and businesses after the COVID-19 epidemic. But as we move back into some sense of normalcy, the questions still remain and will need to be answered – what did we learn? Are there better ways of doing business? Can those who run business operations use this experience to streamline the process and go forward more efficiently?
The most profound change over the last few months has been the inability to physically be in the same place at the same time. Not only were co-workers now separated, but there were no more face-to-face sales calls. Conferences to introduce product were cancelled, and so this was done using multimedia channels. People no longer flew to network with business colleagues, but jumped online instead. Business has always been done with a handshake and a meeting, and everything radically shifted overnight.
Interestingly, most businesses realized that not only could it be done, but that it was working. How can this affect business operations in the future? For one thing, companies and organizations who resisted work-from-home and flex-time situations for fear of a loss of productivity are seeing that the arrangement really can work. This is a huge revelation, as it could save hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on rent and office space.
Similarly, as people have become more confident using meeting software – whether Zoom or Google Hangouts – companies are likely to realize that the cost of airfare, hotel rooms and expenses for a simple meeting may not be worth it any longer. This could save even a small to mediums sized business significant amounts of cash.
And of course, it is important to realize that not every job description lends itself to working from home. Shop workers, receptionists, technicians and more are likely to need to return to work. Still, the seed has been planted in many manager’s minds – can we shirt much of our business operations offsite in order to carry less overhead?
Putting New Business Operations in Place
However, there are some aspects of working from home that, while acceptable during this particular crisis, may not be acceptable long term. While everyone understands a crying baby or a barking dog on their conference calls now – there really is, after all, no other option – over the long term, remote workers may need to find a more secluded place to work.
If you are looking to incorporate remote employees into your overall business strategy, you will need to give them the tools they will need long-term.
- VoIP phones for professional call forwarding, transferring and voice mail capability
- Technology either owned by the organization, or with company-provided security software, VPNs, secure logons, and other measures to ensure that the device is protected from those outside of the organization.
- Depending on job description, high-end web cameras, scanners, printers, or audio equipment may be necessary.
- Training for employees on developing quality online presentations for remote viewing.
If this situation has caused you to reevaluate your business operations, you may also want to consider outsourcing your data networks. This will give you added redundancy and security, while eliminating (or reducing) the need to have an onsite IT staff. Whether you are looking for information on managed services, or simply need help setting up your professional employees remotely, call Alliance IT. We provide the local expertise and professionalism you need to transform your business for the better- today, and in the future.
Keep an eye on this blog over the next several weeks as we look into these topics further.
