It’s no secret that many businesses have shifted to digital environments to keep operations running during this pandemic. Companies are discovering that large amounts of work that were traditionally completed on-site in an office can be done just as well or even better, in a remote and digital environment. There is less paperwork to deal with, and with advancements in technology and the abundance of cloud-based software and service providers out there, moving to a digital solution is a no-brainer for many businesses. Another benefit to a digital workplace is access to talent that may not have been available in the past, with companies hiring more employees and gig-workers who might live in different cities, states, or even countries.
This evolution of business practices comes with certain challenges as well. Candidates vying for positions in these companies have to demonstrate a different set of skills than those needed in a traditional work environment. Existing employees may find that they are having to adapt and learn new technologies to keep up with the changing needs of today’s businesses.
So what are these skills?
Communication – Remote work often means less face-to-face interactions at work – no more chance encounters at the water cooler or break room. And, with most correspondence happening via email, chat, or phone, people don’t have the opportunities to pick up on the non-verbal cues that may be critical to the way a message is received. Proper e-mail and phone etiquette can sometimes make or break business relationships.
Agility/Adaptability – If there’s one thing we learned over the years, it’s that people (and businesses) need to be able to change with the times in order to succeed. Remember Blockbuster? On a smaller scale, being agile and adaptable for an employee might mean they are working out of a home office or kitchen table after years of commuting and spending 8 hours a day in an office building. This can be a huge change from their normal routine, and they’ll need to be able to adapt accordingly.
Time management – Working remotely can be tricky for people who have difficulty with time management. Without the structure one might find in a traditional office environment, it can be easy to miss deadlines or meetings. On the flipside, some employees may find it difficult to fully ‘disconnect’ during their off-hours, which can lead to burnout.
Tech skills – This one should be obvious. While this doesn’t mean every employee needs to be an IT expert, they should have the know-how to effectively perform their job duties in a remote environment. This includes being able to attend virtual meetings, video calls, and using any other communication tools your organization might utilize. Some basic troubleshooting ability wouldn’t hurt either – your IT department will thank you.
This is not an exhaustive list by any means, and your business might have additional skills on your candidate wishlist. It may seem like a daunting task to train your teams and/or screen applicants on top of everything else you’re doing – Valor Payroll Solutions can help by taking care of the administrative burden of payroll, so your time can be freed up to focus on taking your business to the next level. Contact us today!
