COVID-19 has changed the fabric of American work life. During the first year of the pandemic, many businesses allowed employees to work remotely. For some people, remote work was a dream and significantly boosted their productivity. For others, the work-from-home lifestyle damaged morale and left workers feeling isolated. The all-remote office is becoming more common in the wake of the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean that it’s suitable for every business. If you’re considering 86ing the old brick-and-mortar, here are eight questions you should ask yourself before you follow through.
Do I have the right tech?
Technology is what makes remote working possible, so your tech capabilities should be at the top of your considerations list.
For example, you’ll need a way to maintain a business address without compromising your home address. Investing in a virtual office gives you a home base for all information running through your company. A virtual office includes mail reception, an address, phone, and fax, so you’ll never be disconnected just because you cut ties with your physical location.
You should also invest in cloud storage solutions to make your business data accessible to employees from their homes. Lastly, consider furnishing employees with a technology stipend or directly with the equipment they need to complete their daily tasks.
Is my business capable of being fully remote?

Not every business is suitable for remote work by nature. Your business’s adaptability to the WFH model will depend on how much face-to-face or hands-on contact your services require. If your work involves sending emails from an office, weekly meetings, and content creation, then remote work is a cakewalk. It’s less so if your job consists of building things or communicating with clients up close and personal.
Remember that even if your work is suited to the online lifestyle, that doesn’t mean that remote work comes risk-free. Security is vital, and if you work with a lot of sensitive data, you must ensure that employees access information responsibly.
Will I lose credibility with my business?
The mindsets around typical American work styles are changing, but that doesn’t mean that professionality is out the window just yet. Using a virtual office space for yourself and your employees can be a reputable practice so long as you maintain your image.
Keeping a separate business address, phone number, and email address solidifies your business’s status so current and potential clients will have no doubts about your credentials.
Can my business maintain this long-term?

There is a difference between six months and six years’ worth of remote work. Perhaps the first period working from home went swimmingly, but will the results stay the same over a more extended time?
The main concern is how remote work will affect team morale and productivity over time. Before you consider going fully remote, spend time talking with your employees and formulating a plan. You’ll need mental health and socialization resources to prevent WFH life from making a dent in your workplace morale.
You may need to consider hybrid work environments with predominantly remote work and a few set days to check-in at an office. You might also consider occasional face-to-face client meetings while the bulk of work is remote.
Each business has different needs. You know your company best and what changes it can stand up to in the long term. Take advantage of the data available to you and analyze what requirements must be met.
How will this change productivity?
Productivity depends on your team. Everyone works differently, and some people handle self-motivation better than others. Some team members need the in-office experience to stay on track, while others do their best in solitude.
Your business’ productivity can be estimated but not known without actual data. Trusting and communicating with your employees will help gauge how much they can achieve at home regularly.
How will this impact my employees?

Some employees thrive in an at-home environment, but others suffer. Before you make any final decisions, discussing remote work with your team is critical. Employees are the magic behind the show, and they keep the business machine running behind the curtain.
You may expect them to be on board for remote work automatically, but don’t be surprised if the opposite is true. Some people don’t have home situations that are quiet or conducive to daily work, and going to an office is the only way they stay productive. Working with others often meets social needs, as well.
Talk to your employees, ask them how they feel about working from home, and gauge the answers accordingly. Your employees keep things in motion, so their input and well-being are paramount.
How does this affect my customers?
Customers stay with a business for the quality of work, or they seek it out because of a professional appearance. The main goal with your business is to produce quality work and satisfy your clientele, many of whom won’t care if you are in an office building or your living room.
The most significant factor is the quality of work clients receive. If the quality of service goes down after remote work begins, you need to reevaluate how your employees approach customer service. Often, people are more relaxed at home and will be more cheerful when interacting with customers.
As long as your customers receive excellent service and content, there should be few problems with a remote business model.
How would this benefit my business?
A majority of working adults are seeking remote work positions. Not only will a remote office give you and your employees more flexibility, but it also has the potential to raise employee happiness and overall productivity.
Not having to pay for an office every month will cut down expenses drastically, and your employees won’t have to commute. Not only will employees save time, but you will see a massive drop in call-outs and overall absenteeism.
Your business is unique, and whether you have already tried out the remote work model or are looking into it, your knowledge of what works best will find the most benefits.
Conclusion
Changing the way your business works is a big decision and undertaking. You need to consider your limits, the nature of your business, and the opinions of your employees before making the giant leap.
Thankfully, plenty of tools allow you to set your business up for success and increase productivity levels. Is your business ready to trade cubicles for Zoom squares?
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