While we aren’t out of the woods yet, there are some glimmers of hope that we may have past the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. However, once the recovery takes root and starts to gain momentum, some things aren’t going to go back to the way they were. And one of the most significant shifts is going to be around the concept of remote working.
That Was Then…
Before the coronavirus pandemic, remote working was already surging in popularity. Here are some of the statistics (all of which were compiled prior to the crisis):
- 55% of workers now telecommute full-time. (Source: AND CO)
- 90% of remote workers plan on working remotely for the rest of their careers. (Source: Buffer)
- Employers save an average of $2,000 in real estate costs for each mobile worker. (Source: Stanford University)
- Remote workers are on average more productive than in-office workers. (Source: Polycom Inc. & Future Workplace)
- Companies that offer remote working experience a 25% lower turnover rate vs. companies that do not offer remote working. (Source: Owl Labs)
Yet despite the growth and popularity of remote working, in some industries and sectors — particularly older ones like insurance, law, healthcare, and so on — it was still viewed as a perk, like paid family leave, gym memberships, financial planning resources, and so on. Well, that perception is over and done!
This Is Now…
Now and into the future, remote working is no longer a “nice-to-have” — it is an expectation that is shared by employers who want to save money, improve retention, and increase productivity, and by employees who want to avoid the cost, time, inconvenience, and environmental impact of commuting.
Of course, not all employees will be able to work remotely, simply because it’s not feasible for their type of job — for example roofers, plumbers, doctors, chiropractors, dentists, and so on. However, even in these situations, going forward remote working is likely to become a much bigger piece of the picture to some extent. For example, a dental practice may have its practice manager carry out some administrative duties remotely, whereas before the pandemic all work was exclusively done in the office.
Remote Working as a Competitive Advantage
What this shift also means for employers in all industries and sectors — from small businesses to established enterprises — is that remote working is going to become (and in some scenarios already is) a key competitive advantage both in terms of recruiting, retaining and optimizing their workforce, with respect to serving customers and clients.
In other words, employers that have an exceptional remote working program — which includes providing remote workers with the cloud telephone system they need to be productive and efficient — will thrive past their competitors whose remote working program is misfiring, or worse, has broken down completely. These competitors will see their best people leave and their best customers churn. Why? Because remote working is no longer a perk. It is the new normal.
Equip Your Workforce Now and Get Ahead!
Don’t wait until the recovery kicks in to equip and optimize your remote workforce— get ahead now with our affordable, scalable, and feature-rich cloud-based telephone system. And don’t worry about social distancing: we are offering NEXT DAY DELIVERY of IP-based telephones directly to your employees at home, so they can be connected to your office and customers.
Plus, our expert team is here to offer the industry’s best service, which is provided by an experienced and friendly customer support engineer technician in your city — not someone in a call center 10,000 miles away.
Learn more by calling (336) 850-5400, or chat with us during business hours by clicking the chat icon on the lower-right of your screen.