Best Practices for Remote IT Companies

Editor's Note: Take a look at our featured best practice, IT Strategy (30-slide PowerPoint presentation). The key drivers of Information Technology (IT) or Management Information Systems (MIS) value are an organization's IT mindset and its ability to execute. Today’s best practices show that IT value can be maximized when enterprise IT investments are aligned with business goals and IT execution is [read more]

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If you’re running a remote IT company, it’s important to follow some best practices to ensure that your operations run smoothly. Here are 10 of the most important ones.

Best Practice 1: Remote Help Desks

Set up a remote help desk to provide support for your team and clients. This can be done with a chat application or help desk software. There is also a wide range of remote support tools available that can help you troubleshoot problems and provide assistance to your team, including tools that allow you to better analyze client networks and provide better customer service.

Best Practice 2: Invest in the Right Communication Tools

As a remote IT company, it’s important to have efficient communication tools in place to keep everyone on the same page. This means using video conferencing software, chat applications, and project management tools. You can also use cloud-based storage to keep your files accessible from any computer.

Best Practice 3: Familiarize Employees with Company Policy

Make sure everyone is familiar with the company’s policies and procedures. This includes guidelines for communication, file sharing, and working remotely. It’s also important to create standard operating procedures for common tasks, such as setting up new accounts or troubleshooting issues.

Giving these to people during onboarding can help them get up to speed quickly and avoid any confusion.

Best Practice 4: Remote Working Culture

Create a company culture that embraces remote working. This includes setting expectations for when people are available, how they communicate, and what tools they use. It’s also important to have regular team meetings to keep everyone connected and on track.

Best Practice 5: Hire for the Right Skill Sets

Make sure your team has the necessary skills to work remotely. This includes strong communication skills, experience with remote tools, an understanding of the company’s policies and procedures and agility. You may also want to consider training people on specific tasks that they will need to do while working remotely.

Best Practice Six: Encourage Breaks

Encourage employees to take breaks throughout the day. This can help them stay focused and avoid burnout. You can also set up rules for taking breaks, such as a certain amount of time each day or week.

Best Practice 7: Emergency Response Procedures

Establish procedures for handling emergencies. This includes things like how to contact team members in case of an emergency, what steps to take if someone is unable to work, and how to handle client inquiries.

Best Practice 8: Regular System Tests

Regularly test your remote systems to make sure they are working properly. This includes things like checking the quality of your video conferencing, ensuring that files are being shared correctly, and testing your help desk software. It is also important to establish proper data handling and cybersecurity rules so that your team is always protected.

Best Practice 9: Invest in the Right Equipment

Make sure you have the necessary equipment to work remotely. This includes a computer with adequate processing power and memory, a reliable internet connection, and the correct software installed. You may also want to consider investing in a good webcam and microphone so that you can have quality video conferences.

Best Practice 10: Allow Time for Productive Remote Working to Take Shape

Stay positive and be patient. Working remotely can take some getting used to, but with a little effort everyone will be able to make it work. Remember to stay positive and encourage your team members, as this will help them stay motivated and productive.

Best Practice 11: Track Expenses

Establish a system for tracking expenses. This will help you keep track of how much money is being spent on remote work-related expenses, such as travel costs and technology purchases.

Best Practice 12: Employee Hour Flexibility

Be flexible with employee hours. Employees may need to adjust their working hours to accommodate different time zones or personal obligations. Flexibility with remote teams has been shown to increase productivity and job satisfaction.

Best Practice 13: A Good Remote Work Policy Is Key

Make sure you have a remote work policy in place. This will help to ensure that everyone is aware of the company’s expectations for working remotely. It can also be used as a resource for employees who are having trouble adjusting to remote work.

Conclusion

Remote IT will increasingly become the norm, and it is important to have the policies and procedures in place to make it work. By following these ten best practices, you can create a remote-friendly company culture that will benefit everyone and, crucially, that will keep your clients and their data well protected and your reputation as a quality service provider intact.

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