The coronavirus pandemic has already turned the business world upside down, and all indications suggest that there is more of the same to come. Not only are millions of people suddenly (and unexpectedly) working from home, but unexpected illnesses and absences are likely to plague companies of all sizes for months.
These unanticipated interruptions might slow your team down, but they don’t have to grind your productivity to a whole. That’s because there are internet-based tools and tactics you can use to help. In today’s post we want to highlight some of the solutions we’ve been using with our clients. Here are a handful of ideas you might want to embrace during the current health crisis…
Use Real-Time Remote Communication Tools
One reason that employees tend to not be as efficient when working from home has to do with the fact that they spend a lot of time waiting for responses and updates or duplicating work. In other words, it’s easy for their efforts to become uncoordinated. One way around this issue is to enable real-time communications tools like Slack chats and video conferencing products. They ensure everyone knows what they’re supposed to be doing, and how progress is coming along on different projects.
Review Employee Access to Key Documents or Applications
With your team spread out, you might need to give some employees access to files or applications that were previously restricted. Or, you might simply have to adjust their permission levels to carry out certain tasks. Additionally, you’ll want to be sure that no single individual represents a bottleneck in terms of being the only one with important plans or passwords. Otherwise, if they become ill or have to take time away to care for a loved one you, might end up in a situation where no one can work.
Set Priorities with Project Management Tools
In most companies, it’s going to be taken as a given that deadlines are going to be missed and teams are going to encounter bottlenecks that are difficult to overcome. Again, though, this doesn’t have to mean that all work stops completely. If you make the most of collaborative project management tools, you and your employees can shift tasks and priorities to adjust to changing conditions. That way you can keep your focus on the things that are most important when it’s possible, and switch to other jobs as needs or schedules dictate.
Stay Flexible with Your Plans for the Future
This piece of advice doesn’t pertain to a particular tool or solution, but it’s valuable nonetheless. Your perspective as a business owner, manager, or executive should be to survive and thrive during the limited window of time where you can see ahead. None of us knows what the coming months are going to look like so it’s a good idea to implement these tools, watch the results, and then change your approach as new ideas and information come in. And don’t forget that your outsourced IT partner can help you put the pieces together.
What Can You Do to Help Your Team Be More Productive?
As the coronavirus epidemic unfolds, business leaders are scrambling to find answers amidst changing conditions. Our team of experienced problem-solvers can help. If you’re looking for ways to keep your team engaged and in the loop, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll work with you to find cost-effective solutions that keep your organization running as smoothly as possible.