Not only in the case of global pandemics, but also on a regular basis for all projects that require teams to be distributed across different locations, one is virtually obliged to push the work forward without being able to meet in person. Here are some advantages that you were not aware of yet and some tips that make decentralized work possible or even improve it.
- video conferences are fun and creative
Of course, video conferences have recently shown that they play a major role in making it possible to work from any location. However, the success of videoconferencing lies in much more than just the technical implementation of videoconferencing. Sure, an appropriate and neat appearance is also to be maintained at home in front of the camera, but does it necessarily have to be the morning dressing up including travel under certain weather conditions? No, with a video conference you save yourself the time and stress of the morning and can invest this time in working. And here, too, the well-known saying that order and strict processes can restrict creativity applies. But it is also important that video conferences in networks convey a “we” feeling. This is also due to the fact that any executives and lead initiators or more strongly represented institutions no longer move and speak behind hierarchical frameworks, but rather all communicate in an authentic way
And for almost every form of decentralized work, the same applies here: there are probably fewer and less long meetings and no permanent distractions caused by the other person in the same room. Even the potential distraction caused by e-mails or messenger messages can be controlled by the network members and employees in a targeted manner and, for example, be placed in a phase in which one’s own concentration is not so high anyway. During the tight video conference, what needs to be done during the conference can then be done.
- global talents for your project
Every company competes with everyone else for talented employees, and constant headhunting is simply part of survival. Networks are all about strong partners and members, but they are just as much in demand for other projects. In either case, you spend a lot of your time trying to keep your team or network together, which is a huge distraction. On the other hand, distribution also gives you access to a global talent pool, not just to people within a 20 kilometer radius.
Of course, you also have to keep in mind that not everyone wants to move to your office or to supposedly attractive places. This is understandable, not every capable employee or organization is inclined to pay big city rents from their salary or available funds, so that you can save yourself a costly and time-consuming commute in the morning and evening. In a way, one could say that it is a choice between plague and cholera. This can be easily avoided by switching to home office and decentralized working.
- cost savings
Of course, if you don’t have to pay for an expensive office in the city center and, under certain circumstances, the employee’s travel expenses, or your own travel expenses to other project members or members in the network, you save money. Also indirectly arising costs, such as electricity, heating, visa, supply on the way, hotel costs etc. are mostly omitted. It must be said, however, that they are not completely eliminated as long as you work from home – the costs are shifted to the individual project members.
In the case of your own employees, who also work decentrally, a reduction in overhead costs also means more money available to keep the team happy.
Working decentralized as a network member significantly increases this effect, since not only costs but also time can be saved by abstaining from journeys.
