The pandemic has made everyone reimagine how they live and work.
It’s made us take a hard look at ourselves and the world around us. It’s made us think about the ways we work, how we can improve it, and how we can all work smarter, not necessarily harder.
With that perspective in mind, LinkNow decided to become a remote-by-design digital marketing company. In 2020, we transitioned our workforce to working 100% remote, permanently. And overall, we couldn’t be happier about it.
A year and a half into a global experiment, let’s look at how LinkNow transitioned and why’ve decided to make the switch permanent.
WFH: A Less Bumpy Transition Than Expected
After everyone settled into their workstations at home, it became clear that a decrease in the workforce’s productivity was not going to be an issue.Sure, there were some kinks in the works. That’s inevitable with such a big change. We had to rework our communication channels. We had to develop new managerial systems and styles, as well as implement individualized targets and metrics.
But even then, the benefits proved huge.
Within just one full week of working from home, we recorded high sales, a drop in downgrade and cancel requests, and an increase in positive reviews from clients.
After monitoring how employees were doing at home for the first 6 months paired with hard data analysis from employee polls, LinkNow Media decided to work entirely remotely. And we’re all the better for it.
Higher Job Satisfaction
Research shows that, on average, people are more satisfied when they can work from home. And LinkNow employees have been no exception.Our employees are happier from home, and of course, their job satisfaction is critical to our success. Working from means no morning commute, more leisure time, and less day-to-day stress.
Plus, with costs of the office eliminated and employees as productive as ever, our management can focus less on building maintenance and more on what’s important: our staff.
Recruiting (and Retaining) Talent
Remote work has opened a massive talent pool.Where once we were restricted to finding talent within a single urban area (Montreal), now we can hire people from all over the country and beyond. It’s allowed us to create a seamless workforce with everyone on the same page, no matter their location. And with higher job satisfaction, working from home has made it all the easier to retain the brightest minds and most talented professionals..
Schedule Flexibility
Without the morning commute, our staff has gained one, two, or even three extra hours of free time every weekday. That time saved means more flexibility with how our employees choose to spend their days.What’s more, it’s helped reduce staff absences. Previously, if a staff member had a sick child, they’d have to take the day off to spend it with their kid. They can still do that. But now, they have the option to stay home with their kid while also working. Overall, it’s led to a healthier, happier work-life balance.
Supporting Our Employees
Of course, helping manage employees and offering support in developing healthy work habits at home must always be looked after.Here are some of the tips we have given our employees to help them manage.
- • Take a walk before and after work
- • Take a shower and get dressed for work
- • Keep your workspace tidy and straightforward
- • Stay hydrated
- • Minimize distractions
- • Keep work and play separate
- • Change out of “work clothes” after work
- • Step away from the computer for at least an hour after work
- • Develop pre/post-work rituals
LinkNow: Making Work-from-Home Practical
For LinkNow Media, the working from the home transition has been a resounding success.We saw early on: The trick to our success would be to support staff and adapt fast. We prioritized both—and it paid off.
How has working from home affected you? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!
Are looking to build a career from home? Head on over to our Jobs page to see what positions we have available.