The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.
6 ways Remote Work Transformed My Finances | Laura Beck, Finance.yahoo.com
To understand how remote work has transformed finances, let’s look at a few real-life examples — from Augustinas Milaknis, head of PR at Ratepunk, and writer Emery Bowles — about remote work tools and managing remote teams.
Milaknis shared how remote work saved him money on commuting costs. Not having to commute to an office every day provided huge relief for his wallet.
“The biggest change was the fact that I didn’t have to pay for a taxi or other kinds of transport to get to my work, which was a problem since I live quite far away from the city. This alone saves me a couple hundred dollars a month,” he explained.
I Cut Down on Meals Out
“Another very welcome change was eating home-cooked meals for breakfast and lunch every day. Since I don’t have to go to diners or restaurants around my workplace during lunchtime, I save a ton of money on food-related expenses, and drinking homemade coffee and not going to the coffeeshop two times a day, as I used to when I was working a non-remote job helps, too,” he said.
I Relocated to a Lower Cost-of-Living Area
In expensive urban areas, salaries often barely cover basic living expenses. But remote work opened up the option to move to locations with cheaper rents and home prices. Bowles could stretch his income further and gain an improved quality of life in an area that better aligned with his budget and lifestyle goals. For remote workers, geography no longer has to limit options.
I Gained the Flexibility to Travel
Working while traveling was a game-changer. With a remote job, he gained the freedom to become a digital nomad. instead of using precious vacation days, he could simply work from Airbnbs and coffee shops abroad. Blending work and adventure opened up affordable travel opportunities.
However, Some Expenses Went Up
Bowles pointed out some downsides of remote work on personal finances, though. With no office environment or commute separating home and work life, he found boundaries blurring.
“With the comfort of home, I found myself occasionally splurging on high-end home office gadgets and ergonomic furniture. Plus, the blurred lines between work and leisure meant higher utility bills from being home more often,” he admitted.
Without conscious effort, it’s easy for remote workers to veer into impulse purchases for their home workspace. And higher electricity, gas and internet costs from increased home usage can eat into budgets. While remote work can save money in some areas, expenses in others can rise.
9 Proven Productivity Hacks to Supercharge Your Performance | Abha Warrier, Yourstory.com
Productivity is the ability of an individual or a team to work efficiently with maximum output in a given time frame. There are multiple factors that determine your productivity such as motivation, training, time management, stress levels, and physical and mental health. Especially, if you work at or run a startup, it’s not just about working harder but smarter, ensuring each stride is purposeful, each effort, monumental.
Tips to improve your productivity
The key lies in discovering the unique blend of strategies that resonate with your individual rhythm, driving you to achieve more in your distinctive entrepreneurial dance.
1.Set your goals
Setting clear and realistic goals is a must. If you begin by setting goals that you might not be able to achieve right away, it generally tends to discourage you and you begin to question your own ability.
2.Perform tasks in order of priority
Make a list of the tasks you need to accomplish in a day (or any different duration) and list them based on the order of importance. This will help you get an overview of your tasks and manage them based on the time you have.
3. Improve time management
Being one of the most crucial steps, it allows you to manage your tasks based on how much time you have. If you have a minor task that can be completed immediately, don’t procrastinate. Finish it right away, or else multiple such tasks can pile up and make you feel overwhelmed.
4. Avoid distractions
If possible, put your phone away. Ringtones, notifications and even a simple buzz from a device are enough to distract you. With constant notifications from the various social media platforms, it is easy to get carried away and before you realize it, you have spent more time on it than you intended to. Instead, you can schedule breaks for yourself where you can indulge in these activities.
5. Visualization
Visualise your goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them and then picture yourself achieving them. Having a clear mental picture makes it easier for you to navigate. It boosts your confidence and motivates and encourages you to pursue your goals.
6. Collaborate and network
Forming connections is vital in any organisation. There are multiple occasions when you would be assigned team tasks and collaborative work. In such cases having good connections with people will definitely come in handy.
7. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Health is of utmost importance as without good health, you will not be able to concentrate or work efficiently. Having good health also reduces absenteeism and can contribute to improving your performance.
8. Stay flexible
In the startup ecosystem, there can be uncertainties from time to time. People with the ability to adapt to these circumstances, learn from them and mould themselves will be able to enhance their future performance.
9. Use rewards and positive reinforcement
Rewards or positive reinforcements can come in the form of congratulations from your boss or your teammates and they boost your confidence and give you a sense of accomplishment. However, rewards need not always be expected from someone else. You can treat yourself to small rewards for achieving your goals and milestones that you set, no matter how small they are and it will boost your morale and your confidence. It will increase your will to work harder and faster next time as well.
4 environmental impacts of remote work | Molly Driscoll, Techtarget.com
Remote work can be environmentally sustainable in a number of ways, with benefits such as a reduction in employee commuting and the potential of more environmentally friendly employee meals helping reduce a company’s impact on the environment.
In addition, remote work is a win for companies in ways that extend beyond environmental gains. Remote work can improve employee experience.
Here’s more about how remote work is more sustainable, as well as some factors company leaders should keep in mind to ensure their organization’s remote work arrangement is helping the environment.
Fewer cars commuting to work
Research supports this assessment. If employees who are able to work from home did so for half their work schedule, greenhouse gases would decrease by 54 million tons, according to Global Workplace Analytics, a research-based consulting organization located in San Diego.
Less packaging and food waste
Food waste and the types of materials used for food packaging are two major environmental issues.
Food and food packaging make up almost 45% of the items put in landfills, according to a 2014 Environmental Protection Agency report.
Food packaging in particular comes into play in an office environment.
Opportunities for office efficiency
Expanding remote work options can open up opportunities to decrease company office space. Heating or cooling a smaller space requires less energy, reducing a company’s direct emissions.
“If you’re downsizing in the office sector, then you are achieving additional [energy] savings,” said Steve Sorrell, a professor of energy policy at the University of Sussex.
Less air travel
Remote work arrangements now extend to beyond employees doing their day-to-day work at home. Thanks to more virtual events, options to attend work conferences remotely have increased compared with in-person events, which require that many conference attendees fly.
Remote work factors to keep in mind
While remote work can help the environment in a variety of ways, company leaders should make sure remote work’s positive impacts aren’t negatively affected by other employee or company behaviors.
“We shouldn’t see telework as a panacea [for the environment],” Sorrell said.
For example, employees who work from home might get antsy and run an errand or go on some other outing using their car.
In addition, company leaders should examine their organization’s lighting, heating and cooling arrangements for their office building. Lighting, heating and cooling an office space is a waste of energy if employees aren’t in the office.
Instead of hitting your team with another motivational speech, try out some of these tips for cultivating a productive work environment. These strategies are proven to help inspire your employees to push themselves to higher heights. Keep reading to find out more.
1.Hire Strategically
During the recruiting process, companies tend to prioritize technical ability above all. While technical skills are certainly important, you also need to focus on finding the right fit for your team. Bringing on the wrong people can negatively affect your entire team.
2. Prioritize Onboarding and Training
Once you start the hiring process, you’ll need to prioritize the onboarding and training of new employees. An employee’s first two weeks are crucial to their success at your company. This is also an essential time for them to integrate into your team.
3. Conduct Regular Check-ins
Conducting check-ins with your employees is an effective way to help them excel. It provides dedicated one-on-one time for you and each member of your staff where they can voice their concerns. It also helps them to know they have a voice at your company.
4. Empower Your Employees
There are so many ways you can empower your employees in the workplace. The first step you can take is to provide them with the tools they need to perform their duties. This can include tasks like additional training, outside resources, and help when they need it.
5. Set Clear Goals
Employees tend to perform at a higher level if they have a direct picture of what is expected of them. Having a clear vision for the future will help to give everyone on the team more guidance. You can provide this guidance by sharing the long and short-term goals you have for the company.
6. Give Your Employees Autonomy
Some workplaces tend to operate more like a classroom than an office. Nothing kills morale quicker than feeling as though you are being treated with zero respect. Respect your employees and only implement policies that have a true purpose.
7. Provide Work-Life Balance
In 2023, work-life balance is at the forefront of everyone’s minds. In fact, businesses that don’t prioritize work-life balance have a harder time retaining top talent. Approve time off when the requests are made in a timely manner, and be understanding when unexpected life events take priority over work.
8. Encourage Breaks
It has been reported in numerous studies that the most effective employees work with regular breaks in between bursts of work. If you can walk away from your computer for 15 minutes, you can avoid burnout and stay productive for longer. The issue is that many companies don’t allow breaks at this frequency.
9. Provide Opportunities for Growth
Most people start their careers lower on the metaphorical totem pole. The goal when you start a new position is rarely to stay in that position long-term. Employees need to feel like there is room for growth at your organization in order to thrive.
10. Encourage Team Building Activities
Not everyone is going to be thrilled at the concept of taking time away from work to spend with co-workers. However, research shows that team-building activities can lead to higher workplace satisfaction. Being able to bond with your team outside of the office can foster positive relationships, thus making work more fun.
Creating a Productive Work Environment
Don’t let your team fall prey to the yearly slump. Try out some of these tips and tricks for garnering motivation to help your business thrive. You and your staff will be happier and more efficient following the implementation of these methods.
Worksnaps 