Why do these myths about remote work exist?
It can be easy to form misconceptions about something new and unfamiliar to us. Since remote work is relatively new, people who have never worked remotely may have difficulty understanding how it is possible to be productive without being in an office. Additionally, there is a lot of misinformation about remote work online, which can make it difficult for people to separate fact from fiction. Finally, many people simply don’t know anyone who works remotely, so they assume it’s not a viable option for most people. Given all these, it isn’t a tall order to combat these myths about remote work. One of the easiest ways to get yourself informed is to spend five minutes finishing this blog.
Here are myths about remote work and the truth behind them.
1. You won’t be able to manage your remote team.
This isn’t true. With the right tools and communication, you can easily manage a remote team just as well as if everyone was in the same office. The key is to stay organized and ensure everyone is on the same page. Notably, there are a variety of tools available that can help with this, from project management software to video conferencing platforms. As long as you’re willing to put in the effort, you can always get along with innovations popping out daily. Through strategies, proper tools, and the right set of people, you can absolutely manage a remote team effectively.
2. Collaboration can’t exist online.
With the right tools and protocols, collaboration can be as effective online as in person. Of course, you need to make some adjustments. Particularly, one of the critical things to remember is to over-communicate. When people are not in the same room, it can be easy for misunderstandings to occur. By being clear and concise in your communications, you can help to avoid any potential miscommunications.
Additionally, it’s important to establish ground rules for how everyone will work together. For example, this might include setting clear deadlines and expectations for deliverables. By setting up a solid framework for how you will work together, you can ensure that your team can collaborate effectively – no matter where they are in the world.
3. Your employees cannot be productive from home.
One of the most persistent myths about remote work is that employees cannot be productive when working from home. However, the truth is many factors contribute to employee productivity, and where someone chooses to work is only one of them. In fact, studies have shown that employees who work from home are often just as productive, if not more so than their office-based counterparts.
There are several reasons for this, but one of the most important is that working from home gives employees greater control over their environment and schedule. As an effect, this can lead to increased focus, concentration, and, ultimately, higher productivity. So if you’re thinking about assembling your remote team, there’s no need to worry about whether they’ll be able to be productive. All in all, the evidence shows that they almost certainly will be.
4. There are only specific industries fit for online work.
In reality, very few industries can’t transfer in an online setup. With today’s technology, it’s possible to work in almost any industry worldwide. Certainly, many businesses use video conferencing for meetings and various project management tools to collaborate on projects remotely.
Different software is also constantly developing to deliver various services online. For example, Doxy.me is now here to provide a secure telemedicine software application. It’s easy to use and runs in any browser. More importantly, it can integrate with Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Through software like this, physicians can now practice medicine online.
5. There can be no structure in working online.
While it’s true that remote workers have more flexibility in terms of when and where they work, this doesn’t mean that there can be no structure. There are many ways to create a system when working remotely.
For instance, you can do this by setting regular office hours, establishing daily or weekly check-ins with supervisors, and using project management tools to track deadlines and progress. With the advantage of these tools and strategies, this myth about remote work is already debunked.
6. You’ll create a disorganized and disconnected team.
Some people may believe that remote teams are inherently disorganized and disconnected. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. With the right tools and systems, remote groups can be just as organized and connected as any other team.
In fact, many remote teams find that they can communicate more effectively because they aren’t hindered by the distractions of a traditional office environment. If you’re looking to take advantage of setting up your remote team, don’t let myths about remote work hold you back.
7. Remote work destroys the culture of feedback.
One of the myths about remote work that you may hear is that it’s somehow wrong for feedback culture. The reasoning goes that employees will be less likely to give and receive constructive feedback without face-to-face interaction.
This myth is false. With a little effort, remote teams can create a feedback-rich environment that helps everyone perform at their best. The key to making it work in a remote environment is to be intentional about it. Leaders must proactively create opportunities for employees to give and receive feedback and set the tone that feedback is welcome. Furthermore, it would be best if you tailored feedback to each individual’s needs and communication style.
Read: How to Cultivate a Culture of Feedback
Another myth: Remote setup is complicated and expensive.
The truth is that it can be a very cost-effective and efficient way for companies to operate. For one thing, there is no need to lease or purchase office space, which can be a significant cost-saving technique. There is also no need to provide on-site amenities such as coffee machines or cafeterias, which can further reduce costs. Lastly, with Core Virtual Solution’s plug-and-play solution, you can hire highly-vetted Virtual Assistants (VAs) and Virtual Medical Assistants (VMAs) without hurting your budget.
Talk to our industry experts to discuss our plan with your remote staffing needs! Book a discovery call here.
Read more: 5 Business Statistics Why You Need a VA this 2022
