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As an SME business leader, owner, or advisor, thank you for driving one half of the gross domestic product in the top 17 countries around the world (according to the World Bank). We need you now more than ever!
I wish you much entrepreneurial success.
Phil Symchych
Founder
Global Business Advisors Forums
How to work from home
This was from my blog here.
Are you working from home due to Covid-19?
Given the impact of Covid-19 on many countries, with businesses closing their offices and having people work remotely, I wanted to share lessons I’ve learned from working for home for more than two decades.
My working from home was a strategic choice of convenience, flexibility, quality of life, priority, and impact.
However, many people aren’t making the decision to work from home, but having it made for them by their employer or their government. If you’re working from home, count yourself lucky. There are people who are simply laid off and can’t work from anywhere.
Here are the major steps to consider when working from home.
Figure 54.1 Working From Home
https://www.smewealthbuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/phil_2020_04.jpg
Set-up A Real Office
To be productive at home, you need an environment that supports your ability to focus on priorities, protects you from unnecessary distractions, and gives you control over your space and time.
Some key set-up factors:
- A good quality chair. This costs a lot more than fifty bucks. A good chair will increase your productivity by ten percent or more per day, based on my experience. Then take regular standing or stretching breaks.
- While working at home, you can do yoga stretches without anyone watching.
- Adequate desk or work space.
- Ideally, a door you can close to shut out distractions.
- You’ve probably already got a laptop. Either the laptop’s screen or the keyboard is at the right height ergonomically for you, but never both. Invest in an external keyboard and a laptop stand or a monitor. Ergonomics are very important.
- You’ve already got a mobile phone. Check.
- The new Apple Airpod Pros, although expensive, are worth every penny. They’re wireless. The noise cancelling feature is excellent even on a Dash-8 airplane and will certainly minimize any noise distractions in your environment. From the money you’re saving on commuting, dry-cleaning, and eating out, splurge and get these. They’re a necessity, not a luxury.
Setting up your home office so it’s as close to a real office as possible is very important.
Strategy – Be Proactive On Priorities
Since you’re not at the office, you are now your own boss of your space and time. Well, as a business owner, you’ve always been your own boss. So, no change there.
Now, you have some distance from operations, and can stay out of the day-to-day. This is a strategic advantage for any leader or executive.
- What are your most important priorities?
- With the time saved from commuting, what can you work on that will build your brand, grow your company, differentiate you, and attract new customers?
- What systems need to be improved to accelerate the sharing of information remotely?
- Have you looked into Slack or Asana for your business?
- Approach your best customers and clients and offer to help them. Helping is easy. You’re not selling. Just be helpful.
You’ve got a great opportunity to help your customers to be prepared to accelerate growth in their business once the economy starts opening up.
Schedule Your Priorities
What gets scheduled, gets done.
In an office, you’re required to attend meetings and subject to social traffic and interruptions. At home, you’re required to put dishes in the dishwasher and subject to domestic interruptions.
Setting regular office and work hours will help you stay on track. Identifying your top three priorities for the day, which you’ve hopefully been doing at the office, will keep you aligned to make regular progress on your strategic priorities.
Most highly productive people I’ve met are in strict control of their calendars: what gets added, who gets access, and under what conditions.
It’s important for other people near your home office to respect your office hours.
It also helps if you get dressed for work and don’t look like you’re having a pyjama day. This will help others to take you seriously, especially on those video calls!
Sprint To Win
Working in sprints, whether a 25-minute pomodoro or a 90-minute intense creative session, will help to optimize your productivity. That means closing your email and web browser and focusing on your task.
Everyone is more productive when they’re working against a deadline. It’s okay to set your own artificial, interim deadline.
Did you know the most productive day we have is the day before we leave for vacation?
What can you get done in 15 minutes of focused time?
After your productive sprint, take a break, check and respond to email, have a snack, go for a walk, and do something to move around. You’ll have more energy and be even more productive when you take a good break.
Social – Staying Connected
It can feel lonely and isolated working from home, or it can be a great opportunity to proactively strengthen your most important relationships with coworkers, customers, suppliers, and family.
It’s definitely hardest on the extroverts and amiables that need the kinetic energy of others on a daily basis.
Whether you use Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime, it’s easy to have a face-to-face meeting with someone. This is how I run my global coaching practice with clients in Australia, Spain, Ireland, and all over North America.
When you’re not chatting or Skyping, you’ve got more options. Take advantage of your freedom and flexibility. Go for coffee. Take someone for lunch. Try a new restaurant.
Working from home can enable you to be more strategic with your social relationships.
How can you help your employees to work from home while you turn your company into a great company?
Comments
For me the must critical elements is to set goals that are stretch, yet achievable. Then lock down time and make the goals happen.
Excellent blog post, Phil. Thanks for the info on the Apple Air Pods. I was looking at them and the cost, and your analysis is a good one.
Dan,
The Airpod Pros are amazing, except for exercise.
I'll talk to Chad about adding a category or perhaps modifying one of the existing and under-utilized categories.
Would the IP category be a good fit for the ECO/Business Owner board?
Yes AND I think a space for equipment and resources also would be. Many of us have shared equipment ideas and outlets. I've started a new file folder in my email for it so I can easily locate. What do you think?
🎬️
Let's use the "Resources - Technology, Tools, Templates" section for our microphone, video, lighting, and all things with electrons posts.
Copy that...