Remote work isn’t a new phenomenon, but its sudden dominance has ruffled many a business model. With tech giants leading the charge, it’s clear that this model is here to stay. But what about small businesses? While tech behemoths have the resources to adapt swiftly, smaller firms face unique challenges in navigating this shift. Kaleem Clarkson, COO at Blend, who has been deeply entrenched in the remote work sphere, elaborates.
Traditional Mindset: An Inherited Challenge
Many small businesses aren’t first-generation establishments. Generational companies, with practices rooted deep into past decades, grapple with the idea of letting go of their conventional ways. Clarkson identifies this rigid mindset as a primary barrier. Founders and managers who’ve tasted success with a set playbook find it challenging to rewrite those rules, even if the market demands it. The hesitancy is real, but it’s also a ticking clock. As markets evolve, businesses that don’t pivot risk obsolescence.
Decoding Remote Work: The Definition Challenge
Remote work isn’t a one-size-fits-all model. Clarkson emphasizes that there are distinct shades to it. He classifies remote work into three types: Fully Distributed/All Remote, Hybrid Remote, and Telecommute. But here’s where small businesses stumble. Without clarity on which model suits their operation best, they are akin to a ship without a compass. Misunderstandings sprout. Should everyone work from home? Some days in, some days out? Without clear definition, chaos ensues.
Trust and Performance: The Visibility Challenge
In a traditional office setup, managers and leaders can ‘see’ work happening. Switching to remote disrupts this visibility. How do businesses then track performance? Clarkson advocates for the integration of KPI dashboards and specific management tools designed for remote setups. By defining clear KPIs, businesses can shift the focus from ‘time spent working’ to ‘results achieved.’ But again, this requires a cultural shift – a move from overseeing to trusting based on performance metrics.
Hybrid Remote: The Complex Child
Amidst all remote work models, the Hybrid Remote stands as the trickiest. With variations galore – half the company in-office, the other half remote; three days remote, two days in office – it’s a maze without a clear path. Clarkson underscores that this model’s adaptability is both its strength and its pitfall. For small businesses, understanding which configuration aligns best with their goals and culture is paramount. Without this clarity, it’s easy to get lost in the hybrid maze.
The Reputation of Remote: Changing Perceptions
Before 2020, remote work carried a different reputation. Clarkson’s observation rings true: earlier, it was perceived as a luxury or even a lazy approach to work. Now, with global experience, that perception is fading. But small businesses still fight against local prejudices and established perceptions. Overturning these views is vital for both employee morale and to attract top talent.
The Path Ahead
For small businesses to thrive in this remote-dominated era, the challenges aren’t just operational but also cultural and perceptual. They need not just tools, but also a change in mindset. And this journey of adaptation is not a sprint but a marathon.