Setting expectations for your team
Working from home may be a new concept for some of your team so you need to make sure that you set out and communicate clear guidelines around your expectations – working hours, communication, reporting etc
- If they have contact with clients/customers, set out your expectations in terms of availability, response times and service levels.
- Ensure they don’t feel isolated with regular communication – check-in on their workload, priorities, are they facing any challenges?
- Do they have the correct hardware, software and security set-up so that they can do their job effectively?
- Select your chosen communication tools and make sure that the team are comfortable in using them – Whatsapp, Slack, MS teams, Zoom, messenger
- Use online tools like Trello or Asana to agree to do lists and priorities
- Review the arrangements regularly, are they still working for the team? Make adjustments where necessary.
Surviving working from home
- Don’t sit in your pyjamas all day! Get dressed as you would for work and follow your normal routine.
- Create your work-space – you may have a home office but if not then the kitchen table is a good option, but not the sofa! Where possible ensure your chair, desk and laptop are in a good position to avoid any posture related problems.
- If your family are at home with you, set guidelines for them, let them know that you are working and can’t be disturbed with any homebased tasks.
- Try to minimise distractions – it’s not an opportunity to get the housework done or put the washing on! You’re at work.
- Have a plan – what’s your to do list for the day, time block for tasks and be strict with yourself. There are some great task management tools that you can use – Trello, Asana, Toggle.
- Challenge all non-urgent tasks – phone calls, emails, social media, don’t let them disrupt your day.
- Communicate and check in regularly with the office – Whatsapp, chat, MS teams, Slack etc
- Is your Wifi connection strong enough to now deal with you working from home?
- Use virtual meeting software like Zoom with both your colleagues and clients – by turning off your camera you can improve bandwidth and always ensure that meetings are recorded.
- Use earphones to remove external noise or indicate to the kids/ others that you are on the phone.
- Keep up your energy levels and motivation – set time aside for going for a run or to the gym to clear your head.
- Make sure you take a lunch break – we need food and drink to keep our body and mind performing.
- Avoid total isolation, look after your mental well-being – go out if you can and have social interaction, chat to your colleagues/ friends and have a virtual cuppa.
Related resources:
- Why you should follow your passion
- Don’t wait for it to happen, make it happen
- Business survival guide – top tips
Are you are struggling to get focussed and are finding yourself busy but not achieving anything? If so, it’s time to take action.
Access our tool here to get started: tendo-uk.com/productive
You can also download my working from home guide for business owners here.
