A lot of business owners think that by transferring to a virtual office in Brisbane or the Gold Coast they will be casting their productivity into the abyss. They worry that staff will spend their working days distracted by family, friends, errands or cat videos on YouTube. While there is a danger of this happening, studies have shown that people are more diligent and responsible than we might expect and are actually more productive when they work remotely. The key to productivity and success in this environment is organisation and Corporate House can offer a few tips to help you achieve this.
Streamline communication
Communication is vitally important in any workplace setting, but this is particularly true for those using a virtual office in Brisbane or elsewhere. Because there will be much less face to face time between your staff, the modes of communication that are available to you are doubly important. Email may seem an obvious tool but it has limitations. Inboxes have a tendency to become dumping grounds for the full gamut of communication and this can make it difficult to engage efficiently with other staff. Generally speaking, it is wise to use email for external communication and other methods for internal communication. A tool like Skype is perfect for this type of instant connection.
Video and audio
Tools such as Skype and Google Hangout are also great for hosting virtual meetings. Although you won’t literally be face to face, you can get as close to possible to this with video calls. By turning your cameras on, you not only gain that more personal touch, you also get to see the body language and reactions of others. We often take these facets of communication for granted, but they are an integral part of our interactions with one another and should be utilised wherever possible.
Sharing
The whole of your business is greater than the sum of its parts, so it is vital that you continue to share and collaborate with one another, even from a virtual office in Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Share your documents communally, using tools such as Google Drive or iCloud, send each other links and brainstorm together to ensure a steady stream of new ideas and innovation.
Pretending
Treating your home or remote work space as you would an office is a great way to stay focused. Creating a routine or a dedicated work area can help you reinforce a work ethic from a psychological perspective.
Flexibility
Just as flexibility is the major benefit of working from a virtual office in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, it is also great for productivity. If you are feeling a little flat or are unable to focus, you can take a stroll, get a bite to eat, or take some time out to reenergise yourself. 9 – 5 may not be your most productive hours and one of the beauties of working remotely is that they don’t have to be.
If you think a virtual office in Brisbane or the Gold Coast would work for your business, get in touch with the team at Corporate House to find out more.