remote work

Corporate CPR Episode 125: How Ignoring the Work-From-Home Trends Might Be Killing Your Company

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about howignoring the work-from-home trends might be killing your company.

Denis O’Shea is the founder and chairman of Mobile Mentor, a global leader in the endpoint ecosystem. Founded in New Zealand in 2004, the company empowers people to achieve more with their devices. In 2017, O’Shea moved to Nashville to focus on securing the mobile workforce in the US. He has partnered with industry leaders like Nokia, Citrix, and Microsoft, earning the Global Partner of the Year Award for Endpoint Management. A former global executive with Nokia, O’Shea has extensive international business experience. He is passionate about international business, fly-fishing, and playing guitar.

Key Discussion Points:

  • Stagnant Hybrid Work Configuration but Shifting Attitudes: Despite the pandemic subsiding, the configuration of hybrid work has remained unchanged over the last two years. However, employees’ attitudes have significantly shifted, with increased focus on personal well-being, productivity, and privacy, while company culture has become less important.
  • Challenges with Remote Work Onboarding and Security: Remote onboarding continues to be problematic, with employees struggling to set up devices and get necessary support. Younger employees are using unsecured personal devices and practicing lax password management, leading to potential security breaches.
  • Discrepancies in Productivity and Preferences Across Generations: Gen Z employees, who began their careers during the pandemic, prefer office environments for better productivity and support. They exhibit more casual attitudes towards data security, unlike older generations who prioritize company and personal data security more highly.
  • Generational Differences in Data Sharing Attitudes: Younger generations, particularly Millennials, are more willing to share personal data in exchange for convenience and insights. This contrasts with older generations, who tend to be more cautious about data privacy and security.
  • Effective Communication About Data Privacy in Companies: Companies should reframe security messages with a focus on personal privacy to better engage employees. Emphasizing the protection of personal data resonates more with employees than using terms like compliance and risk.

Top Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Hybrid work is here to stay. Research shows that hybrid work is now a permanent fixture in the workplace. Companies need to invest more in making hybrid work environments secure, productive, and cohesive.
  2. There is still much to do in enabling and empowering hybrid workers with the right technology. It’s an ongoing journey for everyone involved, including organizations like Mobile Mentor, to figure out and optimize hybrid work setups.
  3. The process of improving hybrid work is both challenging and enjoyable. With increasing numbers of clients and partners working in hybrid configurations across various geographies and time zones, it’s crucial to remain passionate and engaged in making hybrid work successful.

How to Connect with Denis:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisosheamobilementor/

Website: https://www.mobile-mentor.com/

Remote Work Routines: Finding Your Perfect Productivity Flow

/ Jana

Remote work has become more than just a trend; it’s a way of life for many professionals. The freedom to work from the comfort of your home—or anywhere with a reliable Wi-Fi connection—offers countless advantages. But it also brings its own set of challenges, one of the most prominent being how to establish and maintain a productive routine.

As we navigate this new normal, finding your perfect productivity flow is essential to ensure that remote work not only works for you but thrives. Here are some tips and strategies to help you strike the right balance and create a remote work routine that suits your unique style:

1. Set Clear Boundaries: One of the perks of remote work is flexibility, but it can quickly turn into a curse if you don’t establish clear boundaries. Define your working hours and communicate them to your family, housemates, or anyone who might interrupt your workflow. A dedicated workspace can also signal to others that you’re in ‘work mode.’

2. Morning Rituals: Kickstart your day with a morning routine that gets you energized and focused. Whether it’s a cup of coffee, a quick workout, or meditation, having a consistent ritual can help you transition into work mode more smoothly.

3. Plan Your Day: Take some time each morning to outline your tasks and priorities for the day. Tools like to-do lists or digital planners can be a lifesaver. Break your day into blocks of focused work, short breaks, and longer breaks for meals.

4. Dress for Success: While the allure of pajamas is tempting, dressing up for work—even at home—can positively impact your mindset and productivity. It helps you mentally switch from relaxation mode to work mode.

5. Limit Distractions: Identify common distractions in your workspace and find ways to minimize them. Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and use website blockers if needed. Noise-canceling headphones can also be a valuable investment.

6. Embrace Technology: Leverage technology to your advantage. Use project management tools, communication platforms, and time-tracking apps to streamline your work processes and stay organized.

7. Take Breaks: It might seem counterintuitive, but taking regular breaks can enhance productivity. Short breaks between tasks can refresh your mind, and longer breaks give you the chance to recharge.

8. Socialize Virtually: Remote work can sometimes feel isolating. Combat this by scheduling virtual coffee breaks or team catch-ups. It’s a great way to maintain a sense of camaraderie with your colleagues.

9. Reflect and Adjust: Don’t be afraid to experiment with your routine. What works for one person might not work for another. Regularly assess your productivity flow, adjust as needed, and be open to trying new techniques.

10. Wind Down: Just as you have a morning ritual to start the day, create an end-of-day ritual to signify the transition from work to personal time. It could be something as simple as shutting down your computer or taking a short walk.

Finding the perfect productivity flow in a remote work environment is an ongoing journey. It requires patience, self-awareness, and the willingness to adapt. By implementing these strategies and fine-tuning your routine, you can make remote work not only productive but also enjoyable. Embrace flexibility, and freedom, and make remote work work for you!

Corporate CPR Episode 82: How To Sell In A Remote World

/ Jana

Sean Campbell is the CEO of Cascade Insights, a competitive intelligence and market research firm for B2B technology companies. A 20-year technology veteran, Sean establishes the company’s strategy, drives the company’s thought leadership efforts and maintains relationships with key clients.

A popular speaker, Sean has discussed B2B competitive intelligence at over 250 events around the globe. He has lectured at MIT’s Sloan Management School, presented at worldwide Strategic Competitive Intelligence Professionals conferences and shared his knowledge at many other events.

Sean has written three physical books and two ebooks, most recently the 6th edition of Going Beyond Google. He hosts the popular B2B Revealed podcast, now with more than 100 episodes on methodology, B2B tech, and interviews with thought leaders.

Top Takeaways:

  1. Effective writing skills are crucial in remote sales as there is less face-to-face contact with potential clients. Many sellers lack the ability to write persuasively and concisely in their emails, which hinders their success.
  2. Remote sales require sellers to rely more on written communication to convince prospects, schedule meetings, and convey their value proposition. The ability to write cogent and compelling emails becomes essential in establishing meaningful connections.
  3. The shift to remote sales revealed a lack of writing proficiency among some sales professionals. The absence of in-person interactions exposed the limited writing skills of colleagues who relied on face-to-face communication to get their message across.
  4. Specialization and narrow focus are key to standing out among the overwhelming volume of emails prospects receive. Instead of attempting to sell multiple offerings in a single email, sellers should identify the one thing they do exceptionally well and align it with the prospects’ pain points or objectives.
  5. Understanding the reader is crucial in writing effective sales emails. Sellers should prioritize researching and studying their prospects to create personalized messages that address their specific needs, challenges, and interests. The value of an email is determined by the reader’s perception, and tailoring the message to resonate with their priorities is paramount.
  6. The ability to sell virtually is becoming a crucial skill that salespeople will need to have permanently. Virtual selling provides opportunities for efficiency and effectiveness, even if face-to-face meetings are possible.
  7. Building relationships and connections can still be done virtually, but there is value in in-person interactions, especially for brainstorming sessions or complicated projects. Being in proximity with one another allows for organic conversations and relationship building that is harder to replicate digitally.
  8. Virtual communication requires different management skills. Managers need to learn how to effectively manage teams remotely and create an environment where employees feel comfortable admitting when they don’t know something. This encourages open communication and problem-solving.
  9. The productivity challenges during remote work may not be solely attributed to employees’ time management but can also be a result of the loss of in-person interactions and relationships. Companies need to find ways to bridge this gap and foster collaboration and connection in a virtual environment.
  10. The return to the office debate should consider both the advantages of in-person interactions and the skills that can be developed and leveraged in a virtual setting. There are valid arguments for both remote work and office-based work, and finding a balance that suits the needs of the organization and its employees is essential.

Top 3 Takeaways:
1.     Read and watch things you disagree with. 
2.     Learn how to write better. 
3.     If you’re remote, pick up the phone. 

Connect with Sean:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seancampbell/
Website: https://www.cascadeinsights.com
Email: sean@cascadeinsights.com