Going remote doesn’t have to be painful

Many companies put off a true transition to remote work out of anxiety that it will slow down operations. With proper planning, though, the process can be smooth. Here are 8 easy steps for going remote with your business:

1. Plan and assess

Determine your timeline, team, budget, and data requirements. Survey your team to understand their needs and help build consensus. Decide whether 100% remote or some combination of local and remote work is best for your team.

2. Choose your IT partner

Choose an IT partner to help with your transition, connect you with the right tools, establish data management protocols, and assist with any technical issues.

If your in-house IT staff will be managing or implementing the transition, take time to include them in early discussions so they are fully invested in the success of the project.

3. Create guidelines

Create guidelines for your team, including roles, responsibilities, and rules on data security. Establish HR protocols, including guidelines for onboarding and offboarding remote team members.

Set your policies/expectations around working hours and be sure to consider any time zone differences.

4. Choose your services

Choose the right systems and software for your team, including tools for work collaboration, file sharing, communications, virtual meetings, data management, and more.

5. Migrate and centralize

Move your data to the cloud so it can be accessed from any location. Create a system for storing and backing up data. Manage permissions to control who can access files.

6. Train your team and convey expectations

Train your team on the tools they’ll need for success. Clarity at this stage will improve trust and prevent misunderstandings.

Don’t forget company culture! Communicate your company values and keep up the team’s enthusiasm with regular informal meetups (online or in-person), Slack channels, and more. Keeping things casual can keep people engaged.

7. Test, Test, Test

Run trials and test your new systems. After proving the integrity of your news ways of working, try transitioning one department at a time, or only for a few days per week in the beginning.

8. Complete the transition and reap the rewards

Now that you’ve covered the steps for going remote, you and your team should be running at full speed. 

LimeTech is a creative tech company with a focus on innovation and adaptive change. We use technical know-how, design skills, and deep experience in entrepreneurship to help companies advance their business goals. Do you need IT planning, mobile app development, web design, or remote work solutions that will take your business to the next level? Get in touch today and find out what we can do for you.