Tips for Transitioning to a Remote Business Model

Working from home? You might think it’s the ultimate remote-working opportunity, but for many remote workers, it’s not quite as glamorous as it sounds. Especially now that so many businesses have embraced the “work from home if you can” concept for their benefit. Forcing yourself to be at your desk isn’t easy when you’re used to being productive from anywhere, and staying organized without interruptions is difficult when you have no one to answer to. But if you’re ready to ditch your desk and give working from home a shot, there are a few things you should consider before making the switch.

Get to Know your Space

If you’ve been working from home for a while and are used to the convenience of a physical office, you may wish to start exploring your options for establishing a remote workspace. Your office should feel like your own space—not only do you want to be able to relax in your chair, but you also want your coworkers to feel at home when they’re in your space. If you keep things simple, opt for a neutral color scheme, and find a cozy chair or two, you’ll be fine. If you need to be more creative with your layout, there are plenty of resources online to help you out. A great way to get your feet wet in the arena of remote work is to set up an office or home office. Take your time while setting up—you don’t want to rush the process and knock over your drink or food with your eagerness to begin working.

Set up a home office

Spend some time getting to know your space. This will help you decide where you want to keep your office. If you have a large open room, you could consider partitioning it off into a workspace. If you have a small office or apartment, you may wish to consider setting up a home office. If you have a desk, chair, or table that you prefer to work at, it may be a good idea to install a footstool so that you can sit comfortably instead of standing. If you don’t mind missing out on some of the supplies that come with an office setup, there are plenty of options for inexpensive home office setups. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get the job done. A simple shelf unit will work just fine to hold your files and allow you to work at eye level or on the chair’s knee.

Find the Right Working Environment

One of the more challenging aspects of working remotely will be coming up with a working environment that works for everyone. While there are a few general rules of thumb when it comes to setting up a remote work environment, you’ll need to do your research to figure out the best working conditions for your team. As with any setting, having the right balance of people in your space can help keep things healthy and happy. Think about the type of person who would want to come to your office versus someone who would prefer to work remotely. If you have a large open room, you could consider partitioning it off into a workspace. If you have a small office or apartment, you may wish to consider setting up a home office. If you have a desk, chair, or table that you prefer to work at, it may be a good idea to install a footstool so that you can sit comfortably instead of standing. If you don’t mind missing out on some of the supplies that come with an office setup, there are plenty of options for inexpensive home office setups. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get the job done. A simple shelf unit will work just fine to hold your files and allow you to work at eye level or on the chair’s knee. If you need to be more creative with your layout, there are plenty of resources online to help you out.

Network and socialize with like-minded remote workers

Asking your colleagues if they’d be willing to work from home with you is a great way to start networking with other remote workers. You can also ask fellow remote workers if they’d be willing to share their experience and knowledge with other remote workers. If you’re unsure how to set up a network, there are plenty of online tools to help you out. If you’re lucky enough to have a social media following, ask your followers if they’re willing to help out with a meet-up or two. It’s also a good idea to keep in touch with the people who manage the operations of your company. You never know when you might be able to help out a colleague in need.

Don’t Forget About Email

One of the most underrated aspects of remote work is the ability to stay on top of tasks and not forget about them when you’re on the road. If you have a routine of setting up and closing down your office, it’s easy to forget about email. You might even set up your email account to automatically be forgotten about. When you start receiving a lot of emails, it can become a time sink. If you tend to lose papers, books, or other items, it’s easy to forget about them when you’re on the move. A great way to stay on top of your game is to have an internal calendar set up so that you can look back on who you’re meeting with and what you’re working on at the same time. If you need to be more creative with your layout, there are plenty of resources online to help you out.

Get Travel Edged Out of the Box

You might have heard that working from home can be dangerous, but you may not be aware of all how it can be harmful. Working remotely can wreak havoc on your social life. If you’re used to being able to throw yourself into your work and see your co-workers every day, you might find that your social life suffers as a result. There is a chance that you’ll grow tired of being a loner and want to spend some time with your friends or family. This is perfectly normal, and you should feel free to take time off when you need to focus on your work. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot you can do to prepare for this. Working remotely has very little to do with how you interact with others in real life.

Conclusion

Working from home can be a huge advantage in many situations, but it can also be very challenging and overwhelming if you’re not well traveled. Even if you’re used to working remotely, there are a few things to think about before giving it a go. Get to know your space, set up a home office, find the right working environment, and network