Remote work is not a trend, it's an essential part of how businesses operate in the 21st century. It can help you hire talented employees, improve staff retention rates and reduce your carbon footprint. In this post, we share some of the benefits your business can derive from adopting a remote-led model of operation.
Reduced overhead costs
As a business owner, you know that overhead costs are one of the biggest expenses you have to worry about. After all, your business needs a home base. But with remote work, this isn't an issue! When employees work remotely, they can use their own computers and laptops instead of having to share office equipment like printers and copiers. They also don't need desks or workstations because they don't actually come into the office (or at least not as often). That means no more worrying about paying for office space or furniture—which brings us right back to reduced overhead costs!
Of course there are still some minor costs associated with remote workers: communication costs if you're using Zoom or another video conferencing software; internet connectivity fees if they're working from home (unless they have free WiFi); and even travel expenses if someone is traveling outside their city for conferences or meetings. But these are small compared to what it would cost if everyone was in an actual office together every day—not to mention how much easier it will be once you have eliminated all those other expenses mentioned above!
Access to a larger talent pool
Businesses that choose to hire remotely can reach a much larger audience than if their hiring were limited to only local applicants. This means they get more applications and have more options when filling positions. They also have access to candidates who might not otherwise have applied for the job if they had had to travel in order to apply or interview with them in person—this includes potential hires living outside the country! And finally, many people are willing to relocate in order to take jobs that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to find locally; this helps businesses fill positions without having them go unfilled because no one has applied for them locally.
Better productivity and engagement
If you set up remote work correctly, it can be good for your business. Not only do employees feel more engaged when they’re working remotely, but they also tend to have higher levels of productivity than their counterparts who are stuck in the office all day. A recent study by Stanford University found that employees who worked from home increased their productivity by 13% and were absent less often than their on-site colleagues.
The benefits don’t end there! Another major bonus of allowing remote work is that it allows employees to find a balance between work and life—which is not only great for them individually, but also helps them stay focused on the job when they return. A lot of people need time away from the office during certain hours of the day or week (for example: parents with kids), so giving them this flexibility can go a long way towards keeping morale high among your workforce.
Increased staff retention
When you allow your employees to work remotely, they are able to do it from the comfort of their own homes. This means that they don't have to spend time commuting, or feel like they have to leave at a certain time in order to get back home before dark.
This gives them more flexibility with their schedule and allows them the opportunity for some relaxation time after work. The result is happier, less stressed out employees who are more productive in general because they can be more focused on what needs doing.
Those same happy, relaxed people will also be much less inclined to quit if given this freedom because it allows them better control over their lives and makes for a much better work-life balance overall.
Improved work/life balance for staff
When your staff works remotely, they can choose when to work. This could be during the evening after their kids have gone to bed, or early mornings when they are feeling particularly productive. Staff will also be able to avoid rush hour traffic and any other time-consuming travel that would otherwise take away from their productivity.
It’s no secret that working from home can provide a great deal of freedom for both employers and employees, but it also allows for improved work/life balance for your staff. If working from home means that the employee is better able to manage their own schedule, this will help them achieve a healthy balance between life activities and work responsibilities.
Improved environmental impact from reduced business travel
Remote workers have a far smaller impact on the environment than employees who commute to and from the office. This is because they don't need to drive or fly in private vehicles, which means less carbon emissions and pollution.
Business travel also contributes heavily to congestion and noise pollution on public roads, as well as waste from businesses using disposable products such as coffee cups at airports.
Reduced disruption from lack of office space during relocation/refurbishment projects
When you're moving, there's a lot of disruption that comes along with it. And while the benefits of remote work are numerous and varied, one benefit is that it can be used during a move to continue working as usual. This makes it easier on your employees who are helping with the move, and easier on your clients who need their services.
Remote working can also make it possible for businesses that have been forced to relocate due to refurbishment or renovation projects to continue operating normally while they wait out these projects' completion dates—allowing them more time for planning and less stress overall.
Work can be continued should a major local event cause regional disruption, such as extreme weather events or industrial action.
Remote work also offers businesses the ability to continue work should a major local event cause regional disruption, such as extreme weather events or industrial action. For example, if you were working from your home office and there was an announcement that all walk-in businesses were closed for the day due to flooding, you could still log in and get on with your job.
Conclusion
Remote work can be a great way to run your business, but it is important to set up remote work correctly. A good remote work policy is key, as well as making sure you have the right technology in place and that you have the right people working remotely. I've enjoyed running a remote-led business, and I have staff across Nigeria, London, the United States, and Kenya! I hope this article has given some insight into the benefits of setting up remote working arrangements in your business!