In the wake of the global shift towards remote work that was accelerated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, leveraging technology has become an essential part of creating productive and efficient work-from-home environments.
As businesses adapt to this new normal, there are plenty of ways that employees can make use of various strategies and technological tools to enhance their remote working experience.
Here are 6 ways in which you can use technology to work smarter and more efficiently from the comfort of your own home.
Create a Dedicated Workspace
Everybody is different in terms of their particular preferences, but creating a dedicated workspace within your home is normally a good way to maintain productivity. It also helps create boundaries between work and leisure.
A good way to make your workspace as comfortable as possible is to invest in ergonomic furniture, like a comfortable office chair and an adjustable desk – sitting there will be far more enjoyable and it’ll be better for your overall health.
Setting up dual monitors can enhance your ability to multitask and improve your workflow efficiency. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to ensure that your workspace is well-lit and free from obvious distractions, so try and avoid a build-up of clutter.
Make Use of Team Collaboration Tools
Keep in contact with your team and colleagues by means of tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams and Zoom to facilitate real-time communication and collaboration. You can choose between using instant messaging, video conferencing and file-sharing depending on your needs.
Regular virtual meetings and check-ins can help to keep everyone accountable, ensure everyone stays safe and secure when performing sensitive work tasks, and maintain a sense of camaraderie.
Utilise Project Management Software
By implementing project management software, you’ll be able to stay organised and ensure that you and your team are on the same page without lots of unnecessary communication. Tools like Asana, Trello and Monday.com allow you to create task lists, assign responsibilities and monitor progress.
By centralising your task management, you’ll dramatically reduce the risk of miscommunication and having things slip through the cracks, and you’ll improve your overall efficiency.
Make Use of Cloud Storage
Cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive and Dropbox allow you to store documents securely and access them from anywhere at any time. They also allow for real-time collaboration, so multiple people can work on the same document at once.
This is a great way of maintaining efficiency within your virtual work environment, reducing the need for loads of emails and large attachments.
Manage Your Time Effectively
When you’re at home, it can be easy to get distracted by non-work-related things. Use apps like Toggl, RescueTime and Clockify to help you track your time, identify your patterns and find a system that allows you to be as productive as possible. This will ensure you work during working hours and can enjoy games, Australian sports betting, and any other activities when you’re done for the day.
Prioritise Your Internet Connection
When you’re working from home, having reliable internet will make or break your professional work environment. So, choose a high-speed plan with a wired connection to improve stability and reduce latency issues.