Tips for Home Working
With the current situation we are seeing many companies move to remote working and scrambling IT departments into action to put technology in place. However for many small businesses this is a challenge and whilst there are many technologies out there like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack etc. the challenge is not just technology but the working from home process too! So here are a few tips from ourselves and our partners at ISR Training:
Tip 1 – Create work ‘anchors/triggers for your brain’ and a ‘start of the day’
business trigger
- Work from the same space every day
- Wear the same clothes you would for work – DO NOT START IN YOUR PJ’s
- Get up at the same time
- Have the exact same routine – remember your brain anchors thoughts &
feelings which effect behaviours - Same break times
- Say goodbye to your spouse as though you’re ‘going to work’
- Take home your office comforts – laptop stand / same mug / headset etc
- Have a shutdown routine, so you can switch off
TIP 2 – Create a task list – Ivy Lee Method
- Have 6 main tasks
- Diarise them and have set finish times, we use WorkFlowMax automated with Microsoft Planner to break our work into small task and then plan two weeks ahead as a team
- Eat the frog first, do the hardest task first
- Break large tasks into smaller 15-60 minute blocks
Tip 3 – Plan, Do, Check, Adjust and Schedule everything!
- Plan your day / week
- Run your first work from home day and then check how it went
- Adjust the routine if it’s not working for you
- Take time to speak with colleagues – schedule it
- Get a work from home buddy for accountability
- Send them your daily tasks, at the end of the day, share what you did
- Having someone hold you accountable to the goals you have verbalised increases your chances of getting them done by over 70%
Tip 4 – Think about your health
- Mindset – You are fortunate you can do this, ‘I get to’, NOT ‘I have to’, See this as opportunity
- Take regular breaks – every 55 minutes is ideal. Have them completely and get away from the desk
- Drink 3 litres of water & always have water readily besides you
- Go for a walk outside, clear your mind
- Personal development – work on you – imagine coming out of this in 4-6-12 weeks’ time and you had a new skill, or you could speak another language, or
you’d created a brand-new sales process for yourself or your company just because you saw this as an opportunity.
Tip 5 – Embrace Technology
- Use video chat where possible like MS Teams, Zoom etc. If you don’t have this technology then reach out for help, there are many businesses like ourselves who have being using this technology for a long time and are offering help. We are also offering use if our MS Team platform for our clients.
- Remove distractions, No TV, No Radio, Shut down emails and have a power hour!
We hope this helps!
Neil Betts
Director, Business Outcomes - Go True North
As a Business Consultant and Lean Practitioner, I help organisations, business owners and individuals improve their business performance. With an ability to see the big picture, I can identify strategic issues, as well as translate process problems to enable technology to deliver solutions.
Before co-founding Go True North in 2012, my career progressed from the shop floor to the board room with extensive experience working for global organisations in the United Kingdom and Australia. Starting out as a craft apprentice at the Central Electricity Generating Board, I continued to expand my engineering knowledge in a variety of increasingly senior roles in the United Kingdom.
I came to Australia on a 3 month contract in September 2006 and moved here in 2007 after being appointed to the role of Maintenance Manager at Hazelwood Power Station in 2007, and then the Business Optimisation Manager in 2010 and the Shared Services Director in 2012.
The Go True North journey began in 2007 when I started working with Chris Allford in the development of a project framework for a large mining and power producer. Over several years our unique skill set steered us to lead outstanding business transformation and change management projects.
This journey moved us into new and exciting methods of engagement, leadership, agile practises, lean thinking, value management, visual management and formed new thinking around project management.
It was this journey that formed the concept of combining traditional project management techniques with lean thinking and visual management that ultimately spearheaded the formation of In2 Project Management.
As the key first point of contact for our consultancy, I now oversee client engagements and lead our dedicated team to ensure we deliver the outcomes Chris and I have developed through our unique, personalised, methodical and proven methodologies.
A deeply committed professional, I’m valued for my strong leadership skills which I combine with a practical and well-organised approach to business management, client relationships and team management.
My focus on our diverse client base, particularly in the areas of business problem identification and solution management, enables me to understand and effectively communicate the requirements of operating and maintaining a business at all levels.
I invite you to connect and explore how we can help you improve your organisation’s performance.
Phone: +61 1300 920 543
Email: sales@gotn.com.au