Although remote working is on the rise, some companies are still sceptical of its benefits. Sadly, there are instances where remote work has resulted in negative consequences, such as Yahoo!’s experience. So, the question remains – how can sizeable organisations make remote working a triumphant endeavour?
During Marissa Meyer’s tenure as CEO of Yahoo, a decision was made to bring all remote workers together in a single physical location. However, this sparked opposition among some employees, who disagreed with Meyer’s determination that this was the optimal approach and her refusal to revisit the decision. Consequently, there was dissent among certain members of staff.
Meanwhile, a growing body of research demonstrated the potential benefits of remote work. Studies have indicated that remote workers experience higher levels of well-being, better health and increased productivity. Companies can also enjoy the advantages of cost savings, access to a diverse workforce, and the ability to tap talent from all around the world. It seems that remote working is one of the rare instances in the business world where everyone can emerge victorious.
The decision by The Bank of New York Mellon, the biggest custodian bank worldwide, to recall its remote workforce back to the office may have come as a surprise to some – especially since it appeared to mirror the rationale behind Yahoo!’s similar initiative.
Evaluating Performance When Working Remotely
After thorough deliberation, the bank determined that the office environment would be the most effective setting for improving productivity. To encourage better teamwork and decision-making, the bank also implemented a new framework to support this endeavour.
Within a matter of hours, the call-in notice for Yahoo was made public, despite having been intended for internal use only. Unfortunately, a similar lack of discretion was exhibited by both employees and customers of New York Mellon. Scottish MSP Jo Swinson even took to Twitter to share her opinion on the situation, saying “I think I should send a fax to BNY Mellon to remind them it’s 2023… or perhaps a carrier pigeon?”
An employee shared her fears that she might be “forced to retire” because she was unable to work from home, being a working mother. Those who were entitled to work remotely under their contracts promptly pursued legal action on this matter. In the meantime, those who could attend the office in person noted that all available seating was taken.
Given these developments, it comes as no surprise that New York Mellon has announced plans to review their telecommuting policies. We have created this page to offer helpful information should you encounter similar circumstances.
Collaborating as a Remote Team
Many people assume that effective teamwork requires physical closeness, but this is not always true. It’s crucial to recognise that productive meetings can occur remotely, facilitating the exploration and implementation of “blue-sky” ideas and “out-of-the-box” solutions. This serves to prove that successful teamwork is attainable without the necessity of being in close proximity.
The meeting we had just participated in did not yield any noteworthy achievements. No moments of clarity or meaningful insights were generated, and we left feeling disgruntled, realising that we had squandered valuable time.
It’s not uncommon for certain individuals to struggle with generating their most creative ideas during meetings. Conversely, these same people may find that their most innovative thoughts come to them outside of the meeting environment – such as while commuting back to the office or heading home. It’s imperative to recognise that not everyone can think outside of the box in a high-pressure setting.
There is now a general consensus that physical meetings are no longer essential for successful collaboration. Thanks to the emergence of the internet, we now have access to a variety of sophisticated tools that enable us to collaborate remotely in ways that were once inconceivable.
Swift Decision-Making
Our research and literature review failed to produce any evidence supporting the notion that having employees in close physical proximity expedites the decision-making process. In contrast, asynchronous decision-making can be employed as a potential benefit of remote working arrangements.
It can be inferred that decision-making timescales need not be limited to the conventional 9-to-5 working day. Even if team members are located across multiple time zones, progress can still be made. It’s reasonable to assume that if more individuals are actively working on a problem for a greater proportion of the day, a solution will eventually be reached.
According to expert opinion, the strategy for improving decision-making appears to consist of four distinct phases.
Establish a Shared Understanding of Roles and Responsibilities
Launching a project with a team distributed across the globe can feel overwhelming. It’s vital to guarantee that every team member comprehends their roles and responsibilities, particularly for those working remotely with limited opportunities for real-time communication. Clearly defining the job specifications for each team member can assist them in understanding their individual tasks and obligations, even in the absence of guidance from colleagues.
Considering the requirement for efficient and effective software development, we suggest adopting the Agile Software Development Process. Virtual daily stand-up meetings can keep all involved parties informed about progress and allow for task-related discussions. When each individual comprehends their roles and their significance, the decision-making process becomes streamlined.
Sharing Data
The ability to make informed decisions is contingent on having access to dependable, current information. As such, it’s illogical to rely on a PowerPoint presentation or hard-copy materials as the primary source of data for an internal company meeting.
Acquiring the information that you need is effortless, whether you’re examining sales figures, a customer relationship management system, or Basecamp. There is an extensive range of remote communication tools that allow for video calls, document sharing, and screen sharing, ensuring that all parties have the same level of comprehension.
Utilizing a Model
McKinsey & Company’s distinguished consultants have devised a decision classification system referred to as the ABCD Framework. The aim is to identify the decision type that needs to be made and then use an appropriate approach to effectively resolve the specific issue.
The four categories the system proposes are as follows:
- Choices made spontaneously that don’t pose a significant risk and aren’t made frequently fall under category A.
- Big bet decisions. These are more critical and have the potential to alter the project’s trajectory. Their frequency is infrequent.
- In situations where numerous individuals or departments must make distinct decisions that will impact the outcome significantly, arriving at a consensus is crucial. In such scenarios, it’s vital to consider everyone’s input while making a choice. This can be accomplished through various tactics, such as involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process, encouraging open and candid communication, and maintaining a focus on finding a mutually beneficial solution for all parties involved.
- Decisions have been delegated to others. It’s possible to assign someone with these responsibilities.
If you have an established decision-making protocol, you can take the necessary actions swiftly if an urgent issue arises that requires attention. There’s no need to delay. Additionally, you can set up your task management system to perform the necessary procedures automatically.
Confirm Absence of Bias
Finally, it’s crucial to examine whether any conscious or unconscious biases may have influenced your decision. It’s important to note that one of the most effective methods of avoiding bias is to involve a more diverse group of individuals in the decision-making procedure. Earlier in the post, this was identified as one of the key benefits of having a remote workforce.
Part-Time Schedules are Preferred by Employees
It came as no surprise to us when we received a prompt response from New York Mellon regarding employees’ ability to work remotely. We’ve been advocating for this benefit for a long time since it’s a desire shared by the vast majority of the workforce, with over 80% expressing a desire to do so on either a part-time or full-time basis. Please note that this is not a criticism of you, but rather a suggestion for creating a more desirable work environment.
What was notable wasn’t just the ill-considered relocation or the discontent of the employees, but also the way in which the media reported the story. When Yahoo decided to ban remote work for its employees, it sparked a lot of conversation but seemed to imply that telecommuting was a passing trend.
The report from New York Mellon had a very different perspective from the previous one, indicating that the notion of compelling remote workers to return to the office is outdated. It seems that the idea of working remotely has now gained widespread acceptance, and it’s about time it did.
Feeling like Working Remotely?
We’ve firmly established that employing remote workers is a compelling proposition, and we’re confident that you’ll come to the same conclusion. Our company is dedicated to providing you with access to the world’s most skilled and experienced software developers. If you need any assistance in hiring a highly talented programmer for your remote team, please don’t hesitate to contact us right away.
