![[Image] - COVID Dog Meme](http://images.ctfassets.net/u1t4renh9yib/2fAWP2yxMZ4D35FHfChzvi/bd25cd052e8225e771fbbe4e1399c230/COVID_Dog.jpg)
Who saw 2020 turning out like this? No one. But that can only damper our spirits for so long.
Self-isolation has had a big impact on most businesses—some more than others, with complete hibernation being a reality for many.
But for those still operating, working from home is completely doable with a few little adjustments to keep the bond strong. Studies have even found working from home leads to greater productivity.
Here are five tips to keep a happy, healthy team while working from home, despite the current chaos.
1. Allow your team to take advantage of increased flexibility
The great thing about working from home is having more flexibility in when and where you complete projects. Though COVID-19 eliminates the option of working from our favourite cafes, beaches and bars, we can still benefit from the extra time we have.
Not all businesses will allow for this, but if you can, let team members work at their peak time of day. We all do our best work when we’re most energetic, and when working from home, we’re not bound by the office’s opening and closing times.
Also keep in mind your team is likely working alongside family members or roommates (in potentially small spaces), so a little flexibility could go a long way in keeping everyone comfortable and distraction-free.
2. Check-in, often
It’s important to stay on top of mental health, with risks of social isolation impacting those with anxiety and depression the most.
Check in with your team at a set time each day via Zoom or Google Hangouts to touch base and see how everyone is tracking. Also encourage your team members to take breaks throughout the day, for coffee and fresh air, as they usually would.
Because we’re all couped up at home, sometimes we forget to move around—a gentle reminder to get up and take little breaks never goes astray.
3. Play online games together
Team-building is just as fun from home. Play interactive online games with your team to break up the day or invite each team member to share ‘a photo a day’ along with a brief story (cue: cute doggos and picturesque apartment views).
Chatting or playing games with your team for just fifteen minutes a day can get those creative juices flowing and give your team something to look forward to.
4. Encourage team members to set up a comfortable (and inspiring) work space
It’s a strange time for everyone, so encouraging your team to add a touch of normalcy to their home office can help them get in the zone.
Not everyone has a big space, but everyone can make a good space. Ask employees to sit at a desk or table rather than slouching over their couch or bed, and find a quiet space (even if ‘quiet’ is achieved with noise cancelling headphones) with plenty of natural light and fresh air to help boost productivity and success.
Moving around the house throughout the day can also be a good way to prolong focus (depending on what your team does) but don’t substitute this for breaks—they’re essential for productivity.
5. Keep the vibe alive
Just because your team is working from home, doesn’t mean you’re apart. Keep your usual office culture alive and strong with virtual Friday night drinks, movie nights, post-work yoga sessions, or whatever else you did to bond as a team.
Here are some other ideas to maintain a great office culture:
- Live stream cooking classes, challenges and competitions
- Share healthy, easy recipes and home work-out tips
- Share favourite movies, shows and music
- Run mindfulness and meditation sessions
- Try Friday night (or lunch-time) trivia
- Create channels or clubs based on specific interests e.g. wine lovers, WFH eats, book worms, best of Netflix, etc.
Keeping up a healthy level of social interaction will create a ‘new normal’ for your team—no doubt things are different, but change is what you make of it. Encourage your team to embrace the benefits of working from home—extra time that would have been spent commuting to and from the office, new-found energy and laser-like focus to get tasks done efficiently.
Nicki is our Senior Working Capital Manager. She works with a team of talented product specialists, leveraging 25 years combined experience to help Aussie businesses find tailored finance solutions.
Related Posts
A successful finance application starts with a healthy credit score. Click for seven practical tips to improve yours today.
Does working remotely work? The stats are in! Here’s how our idea of work-life balance has changed, and whether it will stick.
Finances hit hard by Covid? Click to learn more about hitting pause on your mortgage repayments, and other ways to relieve financial pressure.
Who saw 2020 turning out like this? No one. But that can only damper our spirits for so long.
COVID forcing you to rethink your business model? Here are five practical steps you can take to cope with new challenges and changing needs.
While no one planned for COVID-19, there’s a plan in place to keep SMEs afloat. Here's what you need to know.
A minor setback can be challenging, but there's no reason to let it derail your business goals. Here are a couple of coping strategies to keep you moving.
Put your best foot forward by preparing strong answers to these 4 questions.
A little preparation goes a long way. Get ahead on the finance front with our quick tips to help you with the 3 key areas of your loan application.
Cut through the confusion. There's so much talk around credit scores and what they mean; it can be hard to seperate fact from fiction.
The time arrives in most small businesses when you’re required to borrow money. So, how do you get 'business finance ready'?
We sat down with Neil Slonim, The Bank Doctor, to find out what he thinks about Australia's fast-growing online SME lending market.
Finding the right business loan doesn’t have to be difficult. See how we helped Mark’s Wholesale Steel Business find the right business loan for them.
How do you attract new customers to your business? Where do loyal customers come from? It all starts with your SMB online strategy.
The path from personal trainer to business owner can be both challenging and rewarding. Check out our top tips for making the transition.
Want to reach your customers online? Are you ready to digitise your small business? First up: get smart about social.
Don't let angry customers stay angry. Protect your business' reputation with these simple tips and tricks for delivering exemplary customer service.
Every business is unique. Every business loan is different. What features are most important to you? Consider these 4 things before applying for finance.
Have you explored your trade finance options? Premiering your business on the world stage may be within reach.
Your guide to smart inventory management for every season.
Get more customers and keep them. Here's the low-down on setting up your very own customer loyalty program.
You've explored your business finance options. What do you do next? How can you be sure you're comparing loans effectively and getting the best deal?
Want to expand your team but don't know where to start? Here's our guide to hiring great employees, featuring tips from industry leaders.
A Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is fundamental for any business looking to grow. Learn how to develop your USP and stand out from the crowd.
Are you invoicing your B2B customers with longer payment terms? Is it hurting your cash flow? Debtor finance could be a lifesaver between payments.
With so many business finance options to choose from, how do you know whether working capital is right for your business? Start by reading this.
Are you ready to refinance? Reviewing your business loan every 2 - 3 years can save your SME a lot of money. Here's what you need to know.
2018 is your year. Here are 7 quick tips and tricks to get back in the driver's seat when it comes to battling business debt.
Improve your chances of locking down the perfect business loan. Here are 19 business funding mistakes to avoid when you're applying for commercial finance.
Setting up a business is hard enough, without getting stung with unexpected costs. Here are the things you should be thinking about before you dive in.
Getting the best rate is all about asking the right questions. Have you done your research? Here's where to start and why.
"Ok, I'm eligible for the R&D tax incentive. But how do I actually claim it?" Here's what you need to know.
You could be missing out on a tax offset of 45 cents in every dollar. Check your eligibility for the R&D tax incentive today.
Need to raise cash for your business? We explore the use of debt versus equity, and how to decide which one is best for your business.
Reward points can add value to your business, but it's not one-size-fits all. Here's what you need to know.
Here's the million dollar question: will you start up a company or will you establish yourself as a sole trader? Get the full story.
Valiant Finance is a small business dedicated to supercharging the growth of other small businesses through access to funding. Here's what we've learned.