With the COVID-19 pandemic throwing a spanner in the works of many small businesses. Many industries have been suffered and forcing their employees to work from home.
Some businesses, such as the hospitality industry, for example, have been brought to a halt altogether. But what about the industries that have the means to perhaps work in some way remotely?
The current scenario is concerning and troubling, for sure. Find a solution that allows them to work as efficiently as possible – sometimes perhaps even more efficiently than before. It’s also quite inspirational when we see a person or organisation working innovatively in self-isolation.
Many businesses have started using remote work toolkit which includes Project management software, Password managers, Video conferencing apps, Screen sharing software, Online office suites, Note-taking apps, and many others.
Trying to think of ways that you can tackle your work differently when stuck at home? Here are some varied, exciting examples of how businesses are working remotely, and coming up with innovative solutions to self-isolation.
1) Video Conferencing
Consistent communication is a vital part of running a business successfully. With everyone stuck at home, regular meetings and discussions won’t be able to run as normal.
Luckily, the large majority of people have enough tech in their homes or pockets. To connect themselves to the outside world in a pinch.
Examples include Microsoft Teams, Skype, Google Hangouts, and Zoom. Even the UK government is making the most of an online connection during social distancing, doing meetings in this format.
Unfortunately, the Prime Minister did have a bit of a blunder when he revealed the ID code for the meeting. Meaning that anyone with an opinion could perhaps join in the next cabinet meeting if they wanted to!
2) Virtual Reality
One step further than video conferencing, virtual reality technology is proving to be a great method of escapism. Allowing those trapped inside to fully immersive themselves, if only for a moment, inside a different world entirely.
One innovative and interesting way that this technology is being utilised is in the property investment industry, by RWinvest, a company with luxury apartment offerings throughout cities in the UK such as Liverpool, Manchester, and London.
With potential investors unable to visit the investment property that they’re looking into invest. VR is used to provide the next best thing: a tailored ‘virtual viewing’ experience that gives them an in-depth look at the property.
A contextual view of the surrounding city that the property is situated within. Also, a wealth of accompanying literature and insider knowledge to complete the package.
It’s as close as you’re going to get to a traditional viewing experience and an innovative solution to working remotely from home.
3) Working from the Cloud
This bit of tech is something that many different companies and businesses take for granted these days and already have set up.
But cloud storage really do a ton of the legwork for colleagues who are willing to work and access files remotely.
With services such as Dropbox or Microsoft’s OneDrive, not only are files and valuable pieces of work backed up online in the event of loss, theft, breakdown, or damage of a computer. But they can also be accessed from wherever you are.
The only downside to this is the safety and security of a businesses’ information. Make sure that you let anyone working with the information know-how imperative it is that they keep it to themselves. Perhaps restrict access within folders of your company database to be accessible by only those that truly need to access them.
