Remote Work: How we boost productivity in changing scenarios

Well, things didn’t go that far, but I would never have imagined that things would evolve until the day working from home would become the norm, along with changes that would make anyone question the idea of ‘the good old days.' And it all happened so quickly that we could barely adapt. Now we have people asking "When can I come to the office?" or saying "I'm more productive working from home, but I feel miserable being at home all day, and I need a reason to shower."

Although working from home or onsite has been an option at Tarmac since day one, the pandemic made many of our developers get used to staying home, and our organization had to quickly adapt to a flexible remote-work model. The challenge was even more complex as we have a diversified team based in different locations, with different cultures and living in different time zones. Therefore, implementing successful remote work based on our ‘Tarmac10’ guidelines has become crucial for us as a company and for our collaborators. By refining strategies and adapting to the landscape of work that has undergone huge shifts, we can strongly improve productivity. Here are some points that took us some time to understand but have made a difference at Tarmac once we got them straight.

• Having active communication channels: Communication lies at the heart of successful remote work. Establishing clear and effective channels ensures team members stay connected, informed, and engaged. We use a combination of tools such as Slack, Meet or Zoom for real-time communication, and email or project management software for asynchronous communication. Simple but necessary things like saying ‘good morning’ in Slack channels or using video in daily meetings encourage active communication as well.
  
  
• Set clear expectations and goals: Remote work thrives on clarity even more than any other work setting. Clearly outlined goals, deliverables, and deadlines for each team member not only help align everyone’s efforts but also provide a clear roadmap for measuring productivity and success. Of course, one should regularly review and adjust goals as needed to adapt to changing circumstances.
  
  
• Encourage accountability and autonomy: Keep in mind trust is essential in remote work environments. Empower your team by giving them autonomy over their schedules and tasks while also holding them accountable for their responsibilities, and you’ll see some positive changes. Encouraging regular check-ins and progress updates will foster a sense of accountability and will help identify any challenges early on.
  
  
• Promote work-life balance: We all learned the hard way that remote work can blur the boundaries between work and personal life, leading to burnout if not managed properly. Encourage your team to set clear boundaries between work and personal time. Encourage breaks and discourage overworking by promoting a culture that values output and results over mere presence.
  
  
• Keep an eye on team building and social interaction: Remote work can sometimes feel isolating, and even worse, people get used to it. Virtual team-building activities, casual conversations, and non-work-related discussions can help a bit on that front, but promoting or hosting activities at the office, like onsite training, birthday celebrations, happy hours, or team lunches, is key to maintaining social connections and keeping us all still human. Or something close to that.
  
  
• Lead by example: Leadership plays a crucial role in remote work success. Demonstrate your commitment to remote work by participating in virtual meetings, adhering to communication protocols, and supporting your team members. Lead with empathy, understanding the unique challenges of remote work, and providing support where needed.