WFH: The Newest Business Challenge - Full Video
Here is a recap of the Paparelli Zoom Chat for Entrepreneurs #11
The theme was “Work From Home: The Newest Business Challenge.”
Special thanks to our discussion leaders:
Robert Dumas, founder and CEO of TaxConnex.
Jackie Breiter, president and chief operating officer of TaxConnex.
Adam Fuller, principal of Homrich Berg Wealth Management.
The question we addressed: How do we reconcile the desire of the employee to WFH with the needs of the business?
Quote of the call: “It’s taken us 10 years to figure out the successful work-from-home profile.”
Another quote that captures the call: “Decide on your business requirements first.”
Here are my takeaways in reconciling employee desires with the business needs.
There is a profile for a person who can WFH successfully: entrepreneurial, independent, comfortable being in an office by themselves, low need for socialization, sense of urgency, and ability to take ownership.
WFH requires suitability for the work to be performed and suitability of experience.
It is 100% about people. Find the right people who can work in a remote environment.
Workflow management tools are a must.
The reinforcing loop. The more work from home we do, the more work from home employees want to do or not do (some miss the office).
The business has requirements. Some jobs must be in the office. Some could be part-time in the office. Others can WFH full-time.
Some jobs require the employee to be present in the office for the business to be successful. In these cases, the CEO must require the employee to come to the office. Make safety accommodations, but there is no flexibility here.
Have a written agreement on what work from home means and what is required for it to work for the business. The agreement outlines the mutual expectations for success.
The agreement also includes work schedules for availability and how you will interact with the in-office staff.
The job for those of us in the office is to ensure we support the remote workers and provide the systems and data to make them productive.
Client service businesses require employee availability and accessibility. If this is lacking, the responsibility falls on the management team who is in the office.
The employees like WFH because it provides flexibility in their day and a raise in pay, meaning no spending on commuting, no lunches to pay for, fewer work outfits to purchase, which creates more disposable income.
The cost to the business for a WFH workforce is hidden. Leaders must learn how to communicate, train, push work out, and manage in this distributed environment.
Criteria for WFH: Are they the right person, and does the business have the right structures and processes in place to manage WFH?
Onboarding remotely requires a new process including videos for training, written material, and coaching via teleconference, but it lacks the personal touch. It is tough building interpersonal relationships, but onboarding remotely has saved money.
The younger generation is more attracted to WFH. The older employees want to return to the office. Maybe because they define work as being in the office.
Integrating teams requires presence. Not so much for the existing employees but certainly a concern for any new employees.
In six months, businesses will look mostly like they used to look. The majority will be in the office.
There must be a workspace at home for the employee to be successful.
Part of employee compensation depends on the person being available in the office. If you WFH, it could potentially impact the salary.
Contractor versus employee: What does the job demand? Can you make the worker a variable cost versus a fixed payroll cost?
Practical ideas to move your business to a hybrid model while serving your customers.
Every Paparelli Zoom Chat for Entrepreneurs will help you be a better entrepreneur. That’s the goal.
I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday, June 17, at 9 am.
Come a little early and catch up with friends and make some new friends. I'll be on at 8:45. And we always end the call right at 9:45 am.
You can find resources suggested by your fellow entrepreneurs on the resources page.