Sales and Marketing - Jen Jordan
Jen Jordan brings a wealth of life and leadership experiences to her writing. After 10 years creating a variety of content for a nonprofit, Jen decided to establish her own writing business. She specializes in creating high quality blog and website content for small businesses. When she's not writing, Jen is a competitive triathlete with a goal of completing a triathlon in all 50 states.
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Remote VS In Office: Which One is Right for Your Small Business?The end of the pandemic marked the push to return to the office. While 27% of large companies have asked employees to return to the office, 40% of small businesses are returning to an in-office or hybrid model. Businesses, managers, and employees have experienced remote work. There are benefits and drawbacks to working in an office and remote work. It’s worth considering the pros and cons of both models before committing to one for your small business. It’s crucial to weigh employees’ and businesses’ needs to make the right decision. Operational Considerations: Remote work can reduce overhead costs with lower (or eliminated) rent, utilities, and supplies. However, working outside of the office can require more technology and cybersecurity considerations. Internet issues may add more risks for remote workers. Scheduling and a perceived need for more meetings can be difficult for remote workers in different time zones. Despite these challenges, remote work can boost your small businesses’ ability to take a global approach and attract top talent. In addition to the possibility of global recruitment, remote employees tend to stay longer and have greater loyalty. Reducing turnover can lead to operational savings. Managing employees remotely can present unique obstacles. While remote employees are often more productive and don’t have a "quitting time" perspective, some workers will blur "work-life" boundaries. In extreme situations, this presents itself as workers who slack without direct oversight or, on the other extreme, employees who risk burnout due to lack of balance. Team communication and collaboration feel easy in an office setting. Communication among remote workers is unique. A study of Microsoft remote workers found that communications across groups lessened while in-group communication increased. The time spent in meetings decreased, and the autonomy of remote work led to originality and critical thinking. Employee Considerations: Commuting to work can be both expensive and time-consuming. It can often lead to tardiness due to traffic issues. Remote workers have greater flexibility, which can result in a reduction in tardiness and absenteeism. Employees often find a better work-life balance with remote work. They can design their work environment, work from anywhere, and have greater flexibility. This can improve job satisfaction, leading to greater productivity and overall morale. Remote workers also tend to have access to more resources, such as online tutorials and virtual mentors. They can easily access the latest developments in their field, allowing them to stay up-to-date with industry trends. Despite possible distractions at home for remote employees, working at home can reduce office distractions and conflicts. Additionally, remote workers benefit from lower stress levels, as they can focus on work in comfortable environments with any necessary accommodations (which can eliminate the business costs of providing some accommodations in an office space). The office environment can offer a sense of community and belonging, and working from home can leave workers feeling disconnected and isolated. Working remotely can be tough for new hires. This means remote businesses might need to offer more activities and resources for team bonding. Small businesses with a remote work model have the opportunity for lower overhead, a larger talent pool, and greater employee satisfaction. The in-office business model allows for more direct supervision, control of resources, and hands-on team activities. Remote work is not an option for all operations. Still, exploring and even experimenting with various hybrid work models can help small businesses find the ideal remote or in-office model.
Works Cited: https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/feature/15-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-remote-work https://lpalmer.com/executive-recruitment-blog/remote-vs-in-office-vs-hybrid-working https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/the-pros-and-cons-of-working-from-home |
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