Five ways to support a mobile workforce

Posted on: 3rd December 2020

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The pandemic has shown that companies are able to work remotely long term and with excellent output – though specific flexible working options and strategic policies can make life easier for both employers and employees.

While the trend for ‘digital nomadism’ (those who work from no fixed location, enabled by technology) has been gaining momentum for several years, the pandemic has proved to corporates in particular that investing in workplace mobility is the future.

Whether you’re working from home, a coworking hub, or a serviced office, as long as you have access to flexible working solutions and are supported by intelligent workplace policies, this untethered way of operating – free from daily commutes to city-centre HQs – can improve job satisfaction, work-life balance and productivity. Here’s what you need to look into to get started.

1. Remote work policies
When you’re adopting remote-first culture, it’s essential to have the right systems in place to support your team. You can learn a lot from looking at how ‘all-remote’ companies such as GitLab operate, from adopting non-linear workdays to scheduling regular video coffee chats to combat loneliness. Having a set of remote workplace policies is key to underpinning your organisation (big or small) and making sure everyone knows what the boundaries and expectations are.

You’ll want to ensure employees have access to childcare and flexible working hours, structured daily check-in calls and (as Google describes it) ‘team norms’ that outline when it’s OK to take time away from your desk and how long it should take to reply to an email.

2. An office for a day
Being a remote worker doesn’t mean you’ll never need an office again. Whether it’s printing, a dedicated phone line, a place to meet a new business partner, or just a comfortable environment with stable WiFi, being able to rent an office for a day wherever you are in the world is a reassuring asset both for you and your employees.

For startups and entrepreneurs, in particular, it’s crucial to have a well-situated, flexible working solution that truly understands your professional needs, especially during times of economic volatility where demand and business conditions are in flux.

3. Flexible workspace membership
Being a member of a flexible workspace solution gives you options – something that’s increasingly valuable in a world of constant change. Has a major client requested a document scanned and signed in the next hour? Having access to a network of business lounges means you can drop into an office space whenever you need to, and print, sign and scan at your disposal.

Need to meet a potential buyer while on the road? Host a discovery session in the comfort of your nearest business lounge. Looking to work alongside fellow remote colleagues for a day? Booking a day office through a membership scheme means you can access office space whenever you need it.

4. Virtual office
If you need to scope out a potential new business destination but have yet to make the leap, a virtual office could be an ideal halfway point that shows prospective clients your commitment, while affording you freedom and elasticity in your negotiations. You can establish a business address using official documentation, and have all post sent and calls directed to that same office – all while you build the foundations and network required to foster a viable physical presence.

5. Data security
Membership to a flexible workspace provider that offers a secure digital infrastructure can make all the difference while teams work remotely for prolonged periods. Choose one that prioritises private Wi-Fi networks, private wired LAN networks, and private static IP addresses to help you rest assured that privacy breaches won’t be yet another risk to contend with during such uncertain times.

Find out how Regus can help your business implement a mobile working architecture

Topics in this article

  • Work Trends

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