What a year! It feels like we have all taken a gut punch. Nothing is the same and life is kinda going by in slow motion. A lockdown that started for two weeks in March is now approaching 10 months! Never saw that coming.
A scan of internet sites reveals all the bad stuff about this year. From medical issues to political problems, nobody is happy. Families have been torn apart, deaths, loss of employment, and it goes on and on.
I want to focus on some positive news. Yes, there is positive news.
For a large subsection of the United States, there is a significant group of employees that can work from their homes. Almost every administrative tasks can be done remotely as there are so many options for safe remote computing.
This is amazing, we can continue working just like we are in the office. You are saying “big deal”!
Yes, but it is a big deal as it was not too many years ago, this was not even possible. Not even thinkable a few years ago.
Now, the Internet makes it all possible to work from your bedroom and not miss a beat.
I talk to my insurance agent while she works from home. My doctor’s appointment center team members work from home. Computer tech support team members are home.
Considering the hit we are taking for this pandemic, these remote work options are softening the blow.
Yes, not everyone is so fortunate. But, many are.
The big news from this is yet to come.
I am convinced that corporate management are in for a huge surprise.
Work has continued for much of corporate organizations even though their employees are spread across the country.
Companies that would never consider remote work now are finding…it is actually working! And from what I see, productivity is actually higher.
Employees are now working longer because they don’t burn up 2+ hours a day in commuting.
Yet, they are not impacting their families because they are right and can handle issues as they arise with a minimal impact on their work.
Even hardened anti-remote workers are now coming around. I know several who have confided to me that they hated the thought of working from home in March but now they are enthusiastic remote workers!
The big shock for corporate management is that getting people back into the office is not going to be easy. Remote work is here to stay. Period.
There are some old world management that believe we need to get back into the office.
However, some are seeing the reduction of office space and the savings for that is awesome. Think about reducing your real estate footprint and how that helps the bottom line.
For those mourning the loss of the office and all of us together, take heart. Roll with the times and work to have the best remote work possible.
There is a magic answer in there somewhere!
Good luck!