Remote working is no longer an alien term after the spread of COVID-19 all over the globe. Millions of people went jobless and to survive thathard phase of life, they had to take the chance. We are living in a time when establishing one’s empire isn’t difficult. You got an idea, just start working on it and bang. The digital disruption and prevalence have led people to say goodbye to modern slavery and start pursuing their passion. Due to the global pandemic, people are looking at it as a goldenopportunityto generate revenue without commuting to work.
We are talking about remote working which has been on the rise since the digital evolution and has grown since the global pandemic. If you have some sort of idea or are working remotely for your company or clients, make sure to read this article carefully. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the essentials that you must invest in before starting the journey. Also, we will share some statistics about remote working. So sit tight and stay with us until the end.
Remote Working Statistics
- According to Owl Labs, remote employees save as much as 40 minutes daily from traveling
- A study spanning over two years by Stanford University found a remarkable increase in productivity among people working remotely
- A survey conducted by Boston Consulting Group concludedthat 75% of remote workers despite pandemic challenges improved their productivity.
- As per some estimates, employers can save as much as $11,000 per employee
- According to a study, 81 percent of remote workers would prove to be loyal to their bosses if they had the remote working option
From the above statistics, we can see a positive impact among employees and employers as well. But remote working alone is not going to be productive as long as you don’t invest in essentials. Here are some of them.
Setting up Home Office
Internet
When starting to work remotely, you need to consider your home as an office. Although you cannot create the same environment as that of a normal office, yet you can dedicate a room for this purpose.
The first thingyou need to look for is an internet connection. There is not a single moment you could afford a slow internet connection. It would be a nightmare if you settle for a low one. To address this issue one and forever, check whether Spectrum packages are available in your area or not. If not, you can also try searching forSuddenlink or Optimum internet.
Laptop or Desktop
The next thing you need is to have a desktop or laptop. In our opinion, it is better to invest in a laptop, as it is easy to carry and allows you to sit anywhere. However, if you have a desktop, your requirements are met as long as you are comfortable.
Soundproof Room
A soundproof room will prove to be useful if you have kids at your home. Without being distracted, you can work as long as you want without being unproductive. If your room is somewhere far from any noise and distraction, you don’t need to waste any money.
Lighting and Environment
A home office should contain everything that could add convenience and ease. Make sure to adjust the environment of your room according to your taste. Invest in some beautiful wallpapers and try to change the settings now and then. Moreover, lighting also plays an important role in boosting your productivity. You can also invest in smart lighting if you want more ease in your home office.
Furniture and Storage
If you want to prevent yourself from backache and other health issues, make sure to invest in an ergonomic chair and desk. You can find plenty of chairs online at Amazon and Target. Also,don’t forget to buy a lumbar pillow to adjust your back and sit for long hours without feeling the pain.
If your desk is not having enough storage, you can consider buying a small cabinet. However, if you are tight on budget, you can consider alternatives like plastic storage containers or buy some plywood and fix it on your wall. It would be helpful in saving you money.
Desktop Accessories and Online Tools
Working from home requires you to equip with all the tools without compromising on productivity and work quality. Here are some of the things you need to invest in, as well, for remote working.
Storage Device
Transferring data is a norm for anyone who is working remotely. Make sure that you have an external hard drive to store and backup your data. If you think your data is not too heavy, you can purchase a USB to save money and have a storage device for emergency purposes.
Headsets
Remote working is not as easy as it seems to be. You need to see the changein your workplace for a change. For instance, if you are not working as productive as in the early days, you can rent a co-working space or go to a café. However, due to noise and other distractions, make sure to have a noise-canceling headset, as well. It would help you to attend online meetings without missing the details. Also, noise-canceling headsets can be used to hear light music in your free time.
Camera
Most of the laptops come with a built-in camera to help you attend video conferences and calls. But if you are using a desktop computer, you might need to buy a camera to conduct online meetings with clients or bosses.
Communication Software
Skype is a great communication tool for remote workers to interact with clients and other employees. You can also use Jitsi, Talky, or Slack for online communication with your peers and clients.
Presentations are an equally vital tool and occupy more than 90% of all remote business communications. Using SlideUpLift’s visually engaging PowerPoint templates can help you save the time spent in making remote presentations from scratch. They also drastically improve communication effectiveness increasing overall remote working productivity.
Time Tracking Tool
One of the most important things to stay productive while working remotely is a time tracking tool. You can easily track your time spent on work and manage your work according to your deadline. Some of the best time tracking tools include Harvest, Time Doctor, and ClickTime.
