1/Since many are going through a shotgun remote work process, here are some things I’ve learned over the past 8 years working on majority remote teams. Most of these best practices should be actionable with only a few days lead time. #workfromhome #wfh #remote
2/ Headsets: You seriously need a good set. Your computer mic is terrible and is driving your colleagues crazy. I’ve used 6+ moderately priced options and have stuck with these for over 2 years. amazon.com/dp/B00ZC3S72I/… Anything is better than what you’re doing now.
3/Camera: Not only do you need one, but it should be on. You’ll interrupt/ misunderstand each other far less if you can see one another.
4/Quiet space: Seems obvious to you? Well when I’m talking with Susan about a project and I hear Greg being called by the barista in the background to pick up his latte for the 6th time (JUST GET YOUR FUCKING LATTE, GREG!), it doesn’t seem obvious to others.
5/Async decisions: Make decisions in writing. Project management software, shared doc, calendars, wikis are all better than on a zoom or hangout. Especially if those decisions take a few rounds of feedback. (This is generally a good idea remote or not.)
6/Serendipity: It won’t happen like it does in the office. You need to schedule things with your colleagues. Yes, people hate meetings. But you hate being blocked by a PR review you used to nag someone over lunch about. Your calendar app is probably more capable than you realize.
7/Calendars: Block off do not disturb time if you can. Those blocks = a closed office door (or passive aggressive headset wearing in an open floor plan). Use that thingy in your calendar that schedules 30 minute meetings for 25 minutes, 1 hour for 50 minutes etc…
8/Video: To help solve for serendipity and general team cohesion, have persistent rooms for teams or departments where anyone can jump in any time during the day. Do hangouts/zooms etc... just for fun a couple of times a week.
10/Must have tools: email, persistent chat, video conferencing, headset with microphone,stable internet, chargers for all the equipment. You probably have most of these. Pretty much everything else is a nice to have.
