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5 Ways Technology Enables Remote Work

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Chris Jankulovski
5 Ways Technology Enables Remote Work

We all knew that remote work was the future. We just had no idea that it would become the norm sooner rather than later. 

A worldwide pandemic forced many companies the world over to not just consider but to embrace remote working options. Fortunately, we’re living in the 21st century, so we do have technology on our side.

Here are just a handful of the ways in which the latest technology enables remote work and all its participants today:

1. WFH? More like WFA.

 

That stands for “Work from Anywhere,” by the way. Remote work now goes beyond simply working from home

This is all thanks to cloud computing and storage, which uses a centralized server to host all crucial files, data, and applications. Basically, so long as you’re in a place with a stable internet connection, you can access these and carry out your work - quickly and securely. 

Furthermore, this eliminates the need for companies to provide employees with devices. The latter can simply use their own to access the files on the cloud, and some platforms make it possible to track who is currently doing such and from where for safety purposes.

2. Seamless collaboration on ongoing projects.

 

These days, you don’t need to email or fax (does anyone still use a fax machine these days?) the same document or file to everyone on your team. There are now various project management tools and document-sharing platforms that make it possible for several people to collaborate on a singular document.

This facilitates not just real-time updates but also a more streamlined working process between the members of a distributed team.

And speaking of geographically-distributed teams...

3. Asynchronous teams.

 

Outsourcing to remote talents in other countries and continents is hardly a novel concept. While there are still some who work graveyard shifts to synchronize with their clients abroad, non-client facing roles don’t have to do the same, thanks to various project management platforms and online chat applications.

Video conferencing software also enables recording key virtual meetings so that those who aren’t present for them can simply review their content later. 

4. Effective task management and automation.

 

Efficiency is key to remote work. It would all fall apart without the right structure. 

Savvy tech tools like social media scheduling, chatbots, blog planning, and other things allow people to automate tasks so they can spend more time on creative and engaging tasks. These also make it easier to troubleshoot, should the need arise.

5. Limitless e-learning opportunities.

 

Digital content and e-learning has made it possible for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn new skills and thus add value, increasing their chances of success in a remote work environment.

Of course, this wouldn’t be possible if the remote workplace didn’t level the playing field either. Here, it really doesn’t matter where or what you studied, what you look like, or the things that the traditional hiring process often places a premium on. What really gets you hired is your ability to do the job, and e-learning opportunities have made it possible for more people to acquire that.

Granted, it wasn’t easy for everyone to make the transition to WFH set-ups. Those who’ve never worked from home had an especially hard time at the beginning, but it’s hard to believe that we’ll go back to the status quo, even when the world regains some semblance of normality.

Not when companies realize how much they can save on overhead expenses, not to mention access a wider pool of talent from all over the world. And it’s not just businesses that benefit from remote work either. Those who were often relegated to the sidelines, for instance, are now able to participate more actively in the workplace. We’re talking about single parents, the disabled, and those living in remote areas.

And thanks to technology, we can only expect things to get better from here on out. 

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Chris Jankulovski
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