5 Reasons Why a Remote Workforce Is Better for Business

During the peak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, many companies felt the pressure to adopt remote working practices. Some businesses had already tested the waters of remote working. For other organizations, it was like jumping in at the deep end.

In the wake of the worst of the pandemic, many companies saw the strong benefits of remote working and decided to continue this practice. Not only does remote working benefit employees, but it is also great for business for the following reasons:

If these benefits have whetted your appetite for technology that improves the lives of employers and employees, you are not alone. According to a 2022 Owl Labs survey, almost 5 million people in the US work remotely at least half the time. More than half of US firms allow work from home. And globally, 16% of firms are now fully remote.

Here is more detail on why a remote workforce is better for business. 

When all or some of a business’s workforce is remote, hirers can recruit from a much larger talent pool. This means that employers can use Leadar or LinkedIn to find and employ the best people, not only those within commuting distance of a physical location.

Businesses with remote workforces are unrestricted by distance, including state lines, countries, and continents. In a modern company that allows remote working, the IT lead can be in the UK and the HR team that hires them might be in Tokyo. 

If you want the best web designer for a new product launch, implementing a remote workforce means you do not have to limit the search to people you could shake hands with. Interviews, briefs, updates, and deliverables can all be handled online via the multitude of existing communication and collaboration channels. 

Those that work remotely often do so because it allows them to be more flexible. Their routines may be a little off-center. They might have dependents they need to check in on or care for and other commitments. Such challenges can be a thorn in the side of a regular 9 to 5 job but cause no stress when working remotely.

By removing the need to commute, remote working can give people much more time for themselves or work. Working from home offers more choices, which can promote a healthier work-life balance. 

And for many people, working outside of a traditional office environment makes them more productive. There may be fewer distractions at home, a more pleasant co-working space, or anything that makes people’s work more comfortable.

Whatever the reason for working remotely, it entails more time, flexibility, and autonomy, which can make employees happier and more productive.

If an entire workforce is remote, there is no need to buy or rent a building, workshop, or office space. This can mean massive savings over a year. This money can be spent elsewhere, such as on marketing, product development, or hiring more staff.

Not only does no workspace mean no rent, but it also means no repairs and maintenance. No cleaning. No security guards.

Remote work contracts often say that workers are responsible for providing and maintaining their own devices, which is another massive saving for employers. It may suffice to provide shared network capability, software licenses, and security systems, but the company will not necessarily need to take on the usual wear and tear costs. 

No commuting reduces the amount of traffic and polluting transport on the road. While a regular worker might not make much of an impact, a remote worker can significantly contribute to reducing carbon emissions. 

Saving a planet is especially important if you have, let’s say, a bottle recycling company. Many of your employees can have the opportunity to work from any part of the world. 

Meetings of all kinds can be performed online and scheduled with straightforward video conferencing software. There is no need for everyone to be in the office. 

Businesses have used emails since the mid-90s. They were almost everywhere by the 2000s. With smartphones and better mobile and internet networks, documents and other deliverables are transmitted more quickly and securely than ever, internally and externally. Remote workforces, therefore, may use and waste significantly less paper in their communications than traditional workplaces. 

When teams comprise different backgrounds, cultures, genders, education levels, and other demographics, a business can benefit from the increased diversity. Diverse groups approach problems from many different viewpoints. This means that they are likely to come up with more solutions.

Thanks to the internet and improved logistics, modern businesses that sell products or online services have a wider market than some years ago. Shipping is faster, more secure, and cheaper than ever. When the enterprise’s customers are spread over a wide geographic area, an equally diverse workforce is especially of use.

In a remote workforce, geography is not a limitation but an opportunity. For companies that value innovation and creative problem-solving, a remote workforce can create the right balance and energy to help take a business forward in exciting ways. 

The increase in remote workforces is another step toward destroying boundaries, helping employees fulfill their potential, and delighting customers and clients all over the globe.