As remote work unabashedly claims its title of “the new normal,” businesswomen and businessmen must adopt a sink-or-swim-mentality and conform to these unconventional workplace setups. While fully-remote work structures yield their fair share of detractions and benefits for business people of all genders, female entrepreneurs have been granted a unique opportunity to capitalize on work-from-home setups.
Today, business women worldwide have claimed their rightful place in industry leadership, knocking down barriers and reconstructing archetypes of the CEO persona. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has only installed new hurdles for women-identifying working professionals to vault over in their pursuit of success. Recently published studies showed that 80% of the 1.1 million people who dropped out of the workforce in September were women.
Why is this the case? For many female CEOs and employees, balancing the unprecedented complications of work-from-home life can pose quite a challenge. In many cases, businesswomen taking the world by storm experience deteriorating work-life balance as they frantically juggle their professional and caregiving responsibilities. However, despite the occasional episode of whining children tugging your professional business blazers, WFH structures have been a blessing in disguise for women-identifying business owners, entrepreneurs, and business associates alike.
It may be difficult to believe that this pandemic could lead to any positive outcomes for women. However, companies’ opportunities to innovate and diversify have multiplied with the rising popularity of remote work. Employees’ productivity has followed similar trends, as working professionals take advantage of these flexible work environments.
However, you may be wondering how you can overcome the challenges of remote work structures. If you would describe yourself as a businesswoman looking to grow in hostile soils, consider investing in a virtual office. Additionally, make an effort to explore new technologies that will strengthen company bonds and set initiatives that foster unbreakable company culture.
As working mothers juggle Zoom meetings and playdates, all while shattering the glass ceiling hovering above, women-led businesses must adapt to this remote-work reality. With these suggestions in mind, female-led companies can come out of quarantine and stay-at-home orders more successful than ever.
Consider a virtual office
A virtual office comes stocked with many advantages, convenience being one of many perks. Not only does this option cut costs, it attracts a wider pool of candidates, can improve employee satisfaction, is easy to set up and set down, and opens the door to a larger client base.
Without the costs of lease obligations, internet, and phone services, companies can reinvest these financial resources into initiatives designed to boost employee morale.
With a virtual office, business owners no longer need to worry about limited office space or dwindling parking spots either. Without concerns of fixed office space on the brain, business owners can increase and diversify staff instead of resorting to firing.
Utilize technology’s communication tools
Limited opportunities for social interactions means, now more than ever, consistent and clear communication is key to a company’s success.
Communication should not stop at frequent Zoom meetings, though. Using communication tools such as Slack and Google Docs streamlines communication and frees employees from inboxes overflowing with e-mails. Employees can conduct side conversations between projects without cluttering your inbox. Tools that facilitate accessible communication can also increase a company’s camaraderie-boosting opportunities.
Foster strong company culture
The out of sight, out of mind aspect of remote work makes fostering a strong company culture a challenging adjustment for employers. One small way to combat this issue is encouraging employees to keep a print out of photos, names, and positions of co-workers taped to their desks. Not only does this keep employees familiar with one another, but it improves the effectiveness of collaboration efforts.
Other ways to create an inclusive work environment include attending weekly web seminars covering various topics of employee interest or hosting meditation and workout classes. For those business owners looking to step outside the box, inviting groups of employees to virtual lunches can solidify professional relationships. Additionally, rewarding your employees with frequent shout outs or thank-you cards helps keep employees motivated. Finally, a trusting manager breeds productivity and satisfaction, lending to strong company culture.
Invest in personal training
Adapting to remote leadership takes practice, but efforts to do so will prove beneficial.
Continuously learning how to be an effective remote leader through books, classes, and practice behind the scenes will make employee training a virtually effortless experience. Consider taking the time to write a manual for working from home that covers expectations, boundaries, and general helpful home office tips for employees.
All in all, female CEOs who embrace recent changes to work structures can leverage the positive elements of remote work and maximize their profits, advises Staples.
