A decade ago, both employers and employees recoiled at the idea of remote work; be it temporary or permanent. However, with today’s evolving technology and digitization more and more organizations have now embraced a more flexible work routine.
Companies around the world have realized the advantages of recruiting new talents beyond their localities. This not only benefits those companies themselves but provides job opportunities for job seekers that are unable to move to a different location. Some businesses function by hiring fully remote teams, while others prefer a combination of both office-based and remote workers.
It is safe to report that 2019 will further support the current universal swing towards remote work and direct a few more solid trends in the upcoming future.
How remote work has evolved
There used to be a time when working from home didn’t exist and if you weren’t at the office, your colleagues weren’t able to contact you through text or email. Back then communication at work was done differently. However, with the introduction of technology, times have changed.
What used to be restricted to a minimum wage telemarketing or customer service representative job is now connected with a full-time career. Technology and its innovations allow us to get all sorts of jobs done, regardless of its destination in the world, while also being in contact with team members and customers all the time.
Now, companies can conduct smooth video conferences with employees worldwide to discuss important business targets without any disturbances and work towards the betterment of the company. But without the widespread employment of broadband internet in the past fifteen years, this wouldn’t have been possible.
The current state of remote work
Due to the ongoing developments in technology, communication methods, and internet connection remote work is now becoming more globally accepted as we speak. This modern workforce is cooperative, proactive, and encompasses multi-generations, all with a variety of different communication preferences.
Organizations that are located in large cities with the expensive cost of living have opted to recruit team members in various other parts of the country. This is a lot more accommodating for the employee who can’t afford to pay rent in a big city and are unable to relocate. Fortunately, companies can hire employees with the same skillsets and expertise as local applicants and at a much affordable cost to both the organization and employee.
Employees just need to set up their freelance office in a location that offers them a fast and reliable broadband internet connection, so there are no interruptions or disturbances during the workflow. The cat6 rj45 is ideal for a consistent internet connection and high-performance speed.
What the future holds
Predictions are being made that as virtual tools increase in adoption and workforce continues to become more progressive, remote work is staying put. With the explosion of affordable tools and flexible job openings, freelance employers are expected to rise in every corner of the world.
Here are a few predictions regarding the future of remote working:
1. Remote tools will become mainstream even amongst non-remote staff
This means that companies will favor video conferencing platforms over face-to-face meetings because of the additional features they provide. Employees can screen share whatever they’re currently working on with their team leads and business executives to brainstorm and collaborate ideas. Whether your employees are right next to you or on the other end of the country, we’re moving fast towards a world where virtual tools are becoming the new standard for collaboration.
2. Artificial intelligence will manage remote staff
Freelancers are less exposed to directions from higher management it leads to a lack of feedback regarding important tasks. AI is working to change that.
Slack is working on implementing AI to highlight communication channels and interactions more efficiently on its platform. AI is believed to restore the oversight that is lost when employees aren’t physically present in the office, as well as align the remote workforce to the company’s timelines, targets, and priorities.
3. Employer expectations of digital skills will rise
Hiring managers will have a keen eye for technology-savvy professionals and talent pools to recruit into their teams. General tech-based skills such as web design, social media management, and app development are some of the fastest rising in-demand skills. More companies are now expecting employees to be familiar with different digital tools regardless of the level of their job’s position. Remote job openings allow opportunities for candidates who are unable to relocate. Also, it offers them an upper hand to negotiate a handsome salary and benefits as their expertise increases in market value.
Freelancers are recommended to keep their technical skillset polished and up-to-date at all times if they wish to land a good remote work placement.
4. More companies will support location “flexibility”
Companies around the globe have started to realize that there are other elements associated with remote work as well. There is a misconception that remote workers are mostly traveling all the time but what they demand is flexibility. As more and more firms begin to hire remotely, they will realize the importance of flexibility and how it helps off-campus employees overcome challenges faced by working away from a physical office.
In Conclusion
Keeping these developments in mind might put companies in a bit of a dilemma on whether or not to transition into a remote workforce. But, with the right tools, hardworking workforce, and the company’s goal in hindsight it can be a smooth process. Different industries have different reactions to such revolutionary changes; some choose to fight the change, while others embrace them.
All signs point to one thing and that is how remote work is nowhere near to hitting the plateau and is only growing stronger. As businesses begin to recognize the benefits of recruiting and maintaining remote workers, more individuals are requesting to work remotely. Ultimately, as long as organizations work towards establishing stronger work policies, productivity and performance will never be a major issue. Sooner than later, newer generations will team up with technology to redefine how and where work can be completed.