Effective Practices for Working from Home: A Guide

In these times of increased remote work, adapting to a home office setting can be a challenge for many. At James Anthony Consulting (JAC), we've honed our remote working skills through years of experience and we're excited to share our field-tested "rules of thumb" for efficient and effective remote teamwork.

1. Embrace "Show and Tell"

Use tools like Slack, Zoom, or TeamViewer for quick screensharing. When facing an issue, visually demonstrate it while explaining. This approach may seem simplistic, but it drastically reduces misunderstandings and enhances team efficiency.

2. Daily "Stand Up" Messages

Each morning, team members should share a brief update with their project team. Include points like "what I worked on yesterday," "what I'm working on today," and "any blockers or overlaps with others."

3. Nightly Summaries

Distance can breed distrust. Counter this by sending a summary each night to your team and supervisors detailing your day's work. Consistency in this practice builds trust and opens communication.

4. Communicate Progress and Blockers

Inform your team about any progress or obstacles as they arise. Don't wait for immediate responses; instead, share your next steps and assumptions. Remember, bad news should travel fast, but don't delay progress waiting for responses.

5. Centralise Task Coordination

Use tools like Asana, Jira or Trello for task management, or start with a shared Google Sheet if you're new to these kind of systems. Create a virtual “office whiteboard” to keep everyone on the same page.

6. Remote Work Etiquette

Establish simple rules focused on maximizing communication rather than monitoring work hours. Encourage direct communication to reduce double-handling and avoid tasks that can cause accountability confusion.

7. Take Genuine Breaks

Don’t skimp on lunch breaks; they're crucial for mental refreshment. Use your travel time savings effectively but don't overburden your workday. Clearly communicate your availability using status updates on your communication platform.

8. Dedicated and Ergonomic Workspace

Ideally, have a specific area for work at home. Pay attention to ergonomics to avoid physical strain from improper setups.

9. Don’t Rush Conversations

Avoid shortening calls. Use them not just for work discussions but also for general conversations to maintain team cohesion. Always consider if a screenshare might be necessary before initiating a call.

10. Resolve Misunderstandings Immediately

If text communication leads to confusion, quickly switch to a phone call or video chat. Clear up misunderstandings promptly to maintain clarity and cohesion.

These tips, derived from intuition, common sense, and practical experience, are integral to our workflow at JAC. We believe in learning and evolving together, and we hope that these tips will prove helpful for your team!