Remote, Steady Go!

There was a time when the terms "telecommuting" and "home office" weren’t something you heard every day. Today, however, they’ve been cast into the limelight. David Blay, journalist and author of the book "Why won’t they let us work from home?" provides the basics needed to ensure remote working is an effective and sustainable solution for all.

10 lessons

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Lessons

10 lessons

Why you are ready for this
Why you are ready for this

The best lessons are the ones we learn without even realising it. Lockdown forced many people to acquire new skills in short order, drawing upon the hidden reserves of a singular strength: adaptability. To those who don’t feel ready to work remotely, David Blay would argue that they already are—they just don’t know it yet.

Lesson 1 • 3mn
Building on strong fondations
Building on strong fondations

With lockdown, the shift to working from home came about in a hurry. Now it’s more important than ever to take a step back and reflect. Whether home or office, what works best for each individual and their position? In the answer to this question lies the key to sustainable work habits.

Lesson 2 • 4mn
New rules, new schedule
New rules, new schedule

A 9-hour day at the office should roughly translate into 5 hours at home. This is Blay's conclusion—but it only works when a routine is established. By knowing how much time things actually take, you’ll be able to keep up with your workload, reduce stress and boost your performance.

Lesson 3 • 5mn
How to meet remotely
How to meet remotely

Working from home does not mean working all alone. Maintaining good communication is an essential part of a company’s success. That’s why the importance of video conferencing cannot be underestimated. But to remain truly relevant, some ground rules must first be established.

Lesson 4 • 4mn
Working with goals
Working with goals

Working to meet objectives, instead of just putting in the hours, helps employees gain autonomy and boost performance. But to avoid being overwhelmed by deadlines, time management is key. In this episode, Blay offers advice on how to organise your time better and break free from the office clock.

Lesson 5 • 5mn
Trust and performance
Trust and performance

Telecommuting can be challenging for some managers, since it requires a certain amount of blind faith at first. But in most cases, distance and performance are perfectly compatible. By setting clear objectives, employees are free to do their jobs independently with no negative impact on the company's results. It’s quite the opposite, in fact!

Lesson 6 • 3mn
When remote work hurts
When remote work hurts

While some people thrive in remote working situations, others find themselves floundering. But there’s hope. Taking the time to open up about it, or simply talk, can help establish positive communication and identify growing pains. And it can all begin with a simple and sincere, "How are you doing?".

Lesson 7 • 5mn
An office life without an office
An office life without an office

It’s a common truth that you don't choose your colleagues. However, socialising in the office—even without an office—is the key to building trust and good relationships. According to Blay, we must give importance to the accomplishments of each individual. That's how a collective is created, even at a distance.

Lesson 8 • 4mn
Remote recruitment
Remote recruitment

Remote work opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Looking past the issue of distance widens the pool of potential recruits and demonstrates the kind of flexibility that attracts new talent. In this episode, Blay gives tips on how to conduct interviews and onboard newcomers in the virtual realm.

Lesson 9 • 5mn
How to unplug
How to unplug

To prove they’re productive at home, many people feel pressured into making themselves available at all times. A typical example is answering emails the minute they arrive. But patience is a virtue in a world of new technologies. Setting limits makes it easier to manage your workload, avoid careless mistakes and learn how—and when—to disconnect.

Lesson 10 • 4mn