Archive for February 2012
Want to know where you’ll be working in 10 years’ time? We’ll tell you
Posted by Craig Mather in Opinions on 28th February 2012
According to a new study by Virgin Media Business there will be a significant surge in people working from home within the next 10 years, especially with the increase of businesses investing in superfast connectivity.
If the research is to be believed, more than half (60%) of employees will work from home within the next decade. Over 5,000 company bosses were surveyed as part of the study which also revealed that over 70% believe face to face meetings [of any kind] will be replaced by technology. Moreover, 62% of people expect to commute less thanks to remote working.
A Remote Working Strategy: You’ve got to have one!
Posted by Craig Mather in Opinions on 21st February 2012
In a recent article published by HR Magazine, journalist Estelle James examined several strategies for managing remote workers. Citing the new Robert Half UK survey which states 38% of HR directors plan to offer remote working options during the first half of 2012, the piece goes on to list the countless (obvious?) benefits of such a practice. Greater productivity and the reduction in property and other costs aside, one of the greatest benefits to companies is the enhanced recruitment and retention possibilities remote working brings about.
“Allowing employees more flexible schedules makes them less likely to seek other options. At the same time, it opens up a wider pool of talent, since some professionals wishing to make career changes, but not wanting to relocate are attracted to companies with flexible working options” says Estelle.
Once a company offers remote or flexible working as an option to staff though, it is vitally important to have a strategy in place so to manage staff, and the process at large, effectively.
It may seem like a no-brainer; however, establishing clear goals and objectives from the start allows workers to know what is expected of them and how they will be evaluated. Company’s often worry about bums on seats when what they should concerned with are results. Therefore, starting to construct your strategy with that thought as a base is highly recommended.
“A lack of clear guidelines governing how remote workers should work and the hours they should be available is one of the primary causes of conflict and misunderstanding further down the road.”
Strategy! You've got to have one.
Want to work for Powwownow?
Posted by Craig Mather in Opinions on 20th February 2012
Powwownow are currently looking for a brand new Senior Marketing Executive. If you think you could fit the bill and want to join one of the fastest growing Technology companies in the country, then carry on reading.
Contact:
Marketing Manager – Casey.williams@powwownow.com
Salary:
£35k
Start Date:
ASAP
Operation StepChange – Government trail pre 2012 Olympics
Posted by Craig Mather in Opinions on 9th February 2012
Today marks the end of a four day trial of civil servants’ ability to work from home during the predicted chaos caused by the Olympics. During the 2012 games which are a mere five months away, staff from Whitehall and the public sector will be ordered not to commute, and instead are being asked to work from home.
If ‘Operation StepChange’ is deemed a success then there are those who advocate making these reforms permanent. This could transform the civil service as we know it, something that was welcomed by British political author and blogger Richard North who said, “Of course they can do it…just like I have for the last 30 years. But [amazingly-sic] it takes something like a potential gridlock to make it happen on a larger scale. The good thing is that we might get a legacy from the Games that might be worth having”
Do You Have More Sense Than Money?
Posted by Craig Mather in Opinions on 8th February 2012
Here at Powwownow we’re all very pleased with our new creative marketing campaign – ‘more sense than money’. Put together with the help of the fine folks over at Gyro, it’s our way of poking fun at those businesses that definitely have more money than sense. With the invention of our very own slime-ball-banker, honourable ‘Cecil Goldwell’, we hope to take an irreverent look at those businesses who still insist to overspend, befriend inertia and resist change, irrespective of commercial logic.
That ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ attitude costs business thousands of pounds per year!
The World Of Work Is Changing – Are You Changing With It?
Posted by Craig Mather in Opinions on 7th February 2012
It was recently highlighted once more that flexible working practices can add value to individual workers and organisations all together, according to an industry expert.
Dr Graeme Codrington, futurist at Tomorrowtoday.uk.com, said that encouraging remote working can help businesses become more flexible and also boost staff retention.
He noted that there are huge cost benefits in reducing office space, as well as improving productivity and efficiency through reductions in the morning and evening commutes, which may entice staff.
“Flexibility has been a consistent top-rated engagement policy in research for at least the last decade, so anything employers can do to increase flexibility will gain rewards in engagement and staff retention,” Dr Codrington added.
