Instinctively, by now, we know that we don't actually need to be in a central, pre-agreed location to do our jobs or run our businesses effectively.
Over the past few years, we've witnessed the proliferation of 'distributed workforces'; companies where employees and founders literally work from anywhere. Some even have employees in every corner of the globe.
The problem is the companies presented as examples are always bleeding edge, aspirational businesses, inhabiting a completely different galaxy from most everyday companies.
Is working from anywhere reserved solely for these big players?
Up until the recent past, the answer might've been yes. But these days, you can craft together a whole suite of technologies that have democratised working from anywhere. And, the tech has made it easier than ever to run a business that's both distributed and cohesive.
A distributed workforce doesn't mean that needs to end. And it sure as hell doesn't mean you need to fall down the productivity-killing labyrinth that is email. Chat applications like Slack only require an internet connection can stand in capably for face-to-face chatter.
These chat tools are malleable; it can be used for more private, one-to-one chats in the sidebar or act as a central campfire where the entire company can contribute.
And it's not just for serious topics either, the tools are also brilliantly effective vectors for company culture. They offer a central hub where everyone can communicate, contribute and form a part of.
There is a constant tension between getting stuck in and the fear of not being available at the right time. The fact is, sometimes you will be unreachable, and for important calls a hastily mumbled voicemail won't do.
Instead, market leading solutions like eReceptionist offer an automated, professional (and, most importantly, affordable) way to field and redirect calls when you are simply unable to speak. It's a personal assistant without the overhead.
The service also enables you to tailor current and potential client interactions around your workflow. If you're in a meeting, driving or just concentrating on a complex task, an automated assistant can deftly fill the gap.
The advent of cloud accounting has changed things up, though. Accounting software provides a central, paperless dashboard to track your business's financial heartbeat. And it has given rise to a new breed of accountant-cum-business advisor.
As always, of course, the rudiments of taxation are still covered; we all have to cross the taxman's palm with silver at the end of the day. But the modern accountant is equipped to work with you anywhere and furnish you with the KPIs and insights you need to grow sustainably.
Expenses are a cinch, too. Optical character recognition (OCR) technology can convert an image snapped by your iPhone camera into editable, shareable data. Capturing a business receipt now just means taking a picture of it.
Luckily, there's a smorgasbord of options here, varying according to size and need.
For most small businesses, a simple tool like Skype can do the job. Again, all that's a required is a strong tether to an internet source, so your interlocutor can see your beautiful visage in full HD.
But, meetings aside, an underrated application of video conferencing is brief, nigh instantaneous chats. Besides, sometimes it's just nice to a colleague or client face-to-face.
Trello isn't the only one out there, though. Other options like Airtable are offer clean solutions for even the most tech phobic among us.
These project management tools - like most office software these days - are housed online, so they're accessible 24/7, from anywhere. Even in a centralised office, the tools make sense as a way to effectively collaborate across different job roles.
Over and above that, they give managers a full visibility of workflows, minimising the chance that working from home becomes a working holiday.
Over the past few years, we've witnessed the proliferation of 'distributed workforces'; companies where employees and founders literally work from anywhere. Some even have employees in every corner of the globe.
The problem is the companies presented as examples are always bleeding edge, aspirational businesses, inhabiting a completely different galaxy from most everyday companies.
Is working from anywhere reserved solely for these big players?
Up until the recent past, the answer might've been yes. But these days, you can craft together a whole suite of technologies that have democratised working from anywhere. And, the tech has made it easier than ever to run a business that's both distributed and cohesive.
Chat apps
In companies with smaller employee numbers, a lot of effectivity is extracted from the flat communication structure. You need something from your colleague? You ask him. That nimbleness is one of a small business's killer apps.A distributed workforce doesn't mean that needs to end. And it sure as hell doesn't mean you need to fall down the productivity-killing labyrinth that is email. Chat applications like Slack only require an internet connection can stand in capably for face-to-face chatter.
These chat tools are malleable; it can be used for more private, one-to-one chats in the sidebar or act as a central campfire where the entire company can contribute.
And it's not just for serious topics either, the tools are also brilliantly effective vectors for company culture. They offer a central hub where everyone can communicate, contribute and form a part of.
Automated assistants
As any resident UKBFer will tell you, a missed phone call could mean a lost business opportunity that you needed to pull through a rough patch.There is a constant tension between getting stuck in and the fear of not being available at the right time. The fact is, sometimes you will be unreachable, and for important calls a hastily mumbled voicemail won't do.
Instead, market leading solutions like eReceptionist offer an automated, professional (and, most importantly, affordable) way to field and redirect calls when you are simply unable to speak. It's a personal assistant without the overhead.
The service also enables you to tailor current and potential client interactions around your workflow. If you're in a meeting, driving or just concentrating on a complex task, an automated assistant can deftly fill the gap.
Cloud accounting and expenses management
Back in the day, your accountant was simply a safety blanket. The relationship with the bean counter was an annual, transactional event, merely designed to keep you on an even keel with the taxman.The advent of cloud accounting has changed things up, though. Accounting software provides a central, paperless dashboard to track your business's financial heartbeat. And it has given rise to a new breed of accountant-cum-business advisor.
As always, of course, the rudiments of taxation are still covered; we all have to cross the taxman's palm with silver at the end of the day. But the modern accountant is equipped to work with you anywhere and furnish you with the KPIs and insights you need to grow sustainably.
Expenses are a cinch, too. Optical character recognition (OCR) technology can convert an image snapped by your iPhone camera into editable, shareable data. Capturing a business receipt now just means taking a picture of it.
Video conferencing
As maligned as meetings are, they sometimes are necessary. The chat apps we covered earlier are great, but they do lack the depth of a well orchestrated, goal-oriented meeting.Luckily, there's a smorgasbord of options here, varying according to size and need.
For most small businesses, a simple tool like Skype can do the job. Again, all that's a required is a strong tether to an internet source, so your interlocutor can see your beautiful visage in full HD.
But, meetings aside, an underrated application of video conferencing is brief, nigh instantaneous chats. Besides, sometimes it's just nice to a colleague or client face-to-face.
A solid project management tool
Here at Sift's offices, we use Trello. In essence, it's a neat central hub where we track, consolidate, and co-align our workflows.Trello isn't the only one out there, though. Other options like Airtable are offer clean solutions for even the most tech phobic among us.
These project management tools - like most office software these days - are housed online, so they're accessible 24/7, from anywhere. Even in a centralised office, the tools make sense as a way to effectively collaborate across different job roles.
Over and above that, they give managers a full visibility of workflows, minimising the chance that working from home becomes a working holiday.
