In fact, according to this research, workers feel at least somewhat ready to make the shift to working from home if required (87%). This continues to look like a possibility, as the majority of companies have either encouraged (46%) or required (26%) remote work since the COVID-19 pandemic took effect. Especially during these disruptive times, technology can enable us to keep moving forward.
At Lenovo, we will continue to prioritise the health and safety of our employees, customers, and communities. With that in mind, here are some tips on how to use technology to make working from home effective.
Our research team found that of the employees currently working from home, 71% feel they have access to the technology they need. Just like in today’s workplace, where there might no longer be a traditional office environment, we move with our laptops in hand from a desk, to a huddle room, to a couch, or even to the walking treadmill! When working from home, the new form-factors and easily portable laptops and mobile workstations allow you to keep the same pace, so you can stay active. You don’t have to sit in the “home office” base or in one setting through the entire day. Instead, you might move to your sofa or kitchen island with your laptop. And, you no longer need to worry about battery life. The improved smart standby features in laptops give you 30% more battery, so you are free to roam around. Staying active will in turn make you more engaged and efficient, while you use these technologies to fuel your work.
Consider productivity enhancers like a monitor, webcam and collaboration tools, such as a headset or conferencing tool.
A monitor is a major productivity tool in the office and at home. If you are used to having two monitors, your laptop and a larger monitor at work, you should consider duplicating this setup at home. If you’re working on spreadsheets, graphic design items, architectural plans and detailed work that requires larger screens, an extra monitor is immensely helpful.
Video is key to the remote working environment. It’s an engaging style that enables employees to feel connected and avoid that feeling of isolation typically reported when working from home. It’s important that companies make sure their employees are armed with the ability to use the best video-conferencing technology. The latest laptops, desktops and workstations all have enhanced video and audio features that provide microphones for 360° reception and a 4-meter far-field performance.
With all these capabilities your PC now acts more like a smartphone with an optimized user experience ensuring more phone-like, always on, always connected state.
Enhanced visibility through collaboration tools. In our office space, many of us use the latest collaboration tools for conferencing, like one-touch start devices to meetings in a huddle-room. At home, we can use personal collaboration devices or PCs that are enhanced with collaboration software platforms.
If working remotely makes you fear losing your visibility among colleagues or worry you’ll feel isolated, take advantage of Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, or other video-conferencing tools. Taking even five minutes to chat with someone with whom you haven’t connected in a while can shift your entire mood or workflow for the better. Never underestimate the importance of a chatroom or a direct message. Keeping a team chatroom open all day will make you feel connected and aligned. Some employees are even utilizing their company’s video-conferencing solutions to ping a colleague and grab a virtual lunch together. The right technology provides not just productivity, but personal connectivity.
As COVID-19 impacts childcare and other services, be sensitive to the ways your colleagues may be juggling work and home responsibilities in new and challenging ways. Chances are you’re no longer the only one in your household dealing with the effects of coronavirus in your community, so make sure to communicate clearly to let your household know it’s work time. Starting and ending work at the same time each day will help you separate professional and personal time. At the same time, be flexible, understanding that others might be working from home as well. This is where an extra pair of noise-cancelling headphones could come in handy.
While our research found 61% of employees feel they are as productive – if not more so – when working from home vs. working elsewhere, the primary reasons employees choose not to do so in normal conditions, are at-home distractions or an inability to separate work and family life. Setting some boundaries and daily schedules will help eliminate those distractions and increase your ability to focus.
As managers, it’s our job to make sure our teams feel connected and supported. Clear and open communication is vital, especially during these transitional periods.
As we move forward, company policies are evolving and will continue to do so. The many uncertainties presented by COVID-19 challenge businesses to find new ways to collaborate with their teams while remote. Will this pandemic create a future where remote work will be more of the norm than it is today? There is a sense this situation might usher in more permanent change. According to Lenovo’s global research, 77% of employees feel that companies will be more open, or even encourage, remote working beyond the pandemic.
The employee experience in the workplace was already changing before the pandemic hit. Technology capabilities had already ushered a new global workforce that stays connected in a work-from-anywhere world. Since 2005, the regular work-at-home population has grown 159% and continues to grow. The situation we are in right now only confirms that the investment employers are making in technology won’t be wasted.
If you’re looking for a set-up that helps your employees to do their best work from home, check out our range of home office solutions or contact us for a demonstration.
