Working online has changed the landscape of what running a business looks like. It’s also lowered the barrier to entry, making it simple for anyone to start a business online. Unfortunately it also means we can start a business without any training or experience, which can lead to doing things a little haphazardly.
The ability to work from anywhere offers a great opportunity to entrepreneurs to build their businesses and expand their reach without geographical limitations. Whether working remotely is something you want as a lifestyle, or something that is required due to factors outside your control (if you’re a caregiver, dealing with chronic illness, or something else) the freedom it affords is something we haven’t seen in years past.
“Working from home makes it much harder to delineate work time from personal time. I encourage all of our employees to have a disciplined schedule for when you will work, and when you will not, and to stick to that schedule.”
I have run my business from the road when doing disaster relief work, from doctor’s offices when taking care of my daughter with a chronic illness, and from the beach while on vacation. And the ability to keep things running no matter where I am or what I’m doing has allowed me to scale my business far beyond what I had ever imagined possible while still doing the things that matter to me.
In fact, remote work (telecommuting included) surged by 216% between 2005 and 2019, so this growth and acceptance predates the COVID-19 pandemic. The great news about this is that technology companies have been learning and figuring out what people need to work remotely for years. And they’ve come up with a lot of answers.
In this blog post, we will explore the systems required to build a remote business and how we can thrive in the remote work environment.
67% feel the greatest benefit of remote work is flexibility in how they spend their time.
The Importance of Systems for a Remote Business
The key to success in a remote business is to have the right systems in place. Systems are the processes, tools, and routines that we use to run their businesses efficiently.
Remote work requires a different approach to managing a business than a traditional brick-and-mortar setup. Therefore, having the right systems in place can help us overcome the challenges associated with remote work and thrive in this new environment.
According to a survey conducted by Buffer, 98% of remote workers would like to continue working remotely, at least some of the time, for the rest of their careers. This indicates that remote work is not just a passing trend, but a growing and permanent way of working.
Systems for a Remote Business
To build a successful remote business, we need to have systems in place that cover the following areas:
Communication: Effective communication is key to a successful remote business. Entrepreneurs need to have a communication system that ensures that all team members are on the same page and that everyone is up to date on the latest developments.
There are several tools available, such as Slack, Zoom, and Skype, that we can use to facilitate communication.
Project management: Project management is crucial to keep track of tasks and deadlines. We need to have a project management system that allows us to manage our projects efficiently.
There are several tools available, such as Trello, Asana, and Basecamp, that we can use to manage our projects and teams from anywhere. (My Asana app saves me when I’m managing my team and deadlines from a doctor’s office or waiting room.)
"Working from home is great for a lot of people because they get to spend more time with their family, their kids, and their pets."
Time management: Time management is essential in a remote work environment where distractions are more prevalent. We need to have a time management system that helps us manage our time effectively.
There are several tools available, such as RescueTime, Toggl, and Focus@Will, that we can use to manage our time.
Accounting and finance: We need to have an accounting and finance system that allows us to keep track of our finances and make informed financial decisions.
Some of the more widely used tools are, such as QuickBooks, FreshBooks, and Xero, that we can use to manage their finances. (I highly encourage hiring someone to get this system set up right for you…a little bit of money spent early in this process will save you oodles later on.)
An estimated 18 to 22% of US workers provide care for an elderly, sick, or disabled family member.
Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity is a critical concern in a remote work environment. Entrepreneurs need to have a cybersecurity system that protects their data and prevents cyberattacks. This is especially important when handling client data from a virtual location.
Some of my favorite tools are NordVPN, McAfee, and LastPass.
As you start looking into different platforms to set up, be careful of your well meaning friends, colleagues and social media “friends” who want to tell you all about the best, and worst, of the software out there.
They want to help. They do. But everyone has a different experience, a different filter they pass information through, and different needs they sort by. Make sure that the people you listen to are the people who have business functions similar to you, and remote requirements similar as well.
According to a report by Owl Labs, 24% of remote workers report that their biggest challenge when working remotely is loneliness. Therefore, it is crucial for us to create a sense of community among team members to overcome the isolation that comes with remote work.
“Remember to enjoy the freedom of being able to work from anywhere and the flexibility to adapt your work to your life rather than the other way around”
Tips for Building a Successful Remote Business
Here are some tips for building a successful remote business:
Hire the right team: When building a remote team, it is crucial to hire team members who are self-motivated, disciplined, and have excellent communication skills. This will help ensure that team members can work independently and collaborate effectively.
Establish clear expectations: It is important to establish clear expectations and guidelines for how team members should communicate, manage projects, and meet deadlines. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and continually working towards the same goals.
Set up regular check-ins: Regular check-ins with team members can help ensure that everyone is on track and address any issues before they become bigger problems. These check-ins can be in the form of weekly team meetings, one-on-one meetings, or daily check-ins.
Create a sense of community: As mentioned earlier, creating a sense of community among team members is crucial in a remote work environment. Entrepreneurs can do this by organizing team-building activities, virtual social events, or even just encouraging team members to have casual conversations throughout the day.
Regular telecommuting surged by 216% between 2005 and 2019.
Embrace technology: Technology is essential in a remote work environment. Entrepreneurs should take advantage of the tools available to them to streamline their work processes and improve communication and collaboration among team members.
Prioritize work-life balance: One of the benefits of remote work is increased flexibility, but it is essential to prioritize work-life balance to prevent burnout. Entrepreneurs should encourage team members to take breaks, set boundaries, and prioritize self-care.
Building a successful remote business requires the right systems, tools, and processes in place. Entrepreneurs must prioritize communication, project management, time management, accounting and finance, and cybersecurity.
Hiring the right team members, setting clear expectations, establishing regular check-ins, creating a sense of community, embracing technology, and prioritizing work-life balance are crucial for success. Remote work is here to stay, and we who embrace it and build successful remote businesses will thrive in this environment.
