Corporate Trainer's tools on how to work virtually effectively
By: Judith Mutua
Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2020
In the wake of this Corona-virus, we might still be working from home in the next weeks, probably months, considering how things currently are. Employers have recently been encouraged to let employees work from home where possible, except for those who are working in critical services.
The truth is a lot of people who are employed get the excitement of working from home, but it can get challenging when you are actually doing it.
Is it even possible to work from home?
Switch TV’s Joyce Omondi got to interview Faith Muturi Ngugi, a corporate trainer in Delve Training Limited. Faith is committed to nurturing individuals and teams thrive in an organization effectively, especially now in the wake of the Corona-virus.
According to the trainer, it is absolutely possible to work from home. Adding that it is a question many have asked especially now when everyone is at home, including the children.
Working virtually
While working virtually is a monumental change for most people, there is a reason why industry experts are calling it the future of work. A lot of organizations globally have been looking to go that direction. In Google for example, they have succeeded to work away from their offices. But the question is how prepared are people to work virtually, and are they able to do it effectively?
Keep your routine more similar and adjusted a little
If you don’t have a schedule/program now is the time. “When you are working from home you shouldn’t be in your pajamas. Take a shower and get dressed. Even when football players are about to have a huge match and are told to get enough rest, guess what they do, they get dressed up. Because psychologically they know they cannot win it if they are not dressed up for it. It is psychological. The same way complains pick on Fridays, because of dress-down Fridays.” According to the trainer, a program is big on how you schedule your mind while working from home. Perspective is important as well.
The people who perform well in this season will thrive…
As they say a risk is not for the swift, but time and chance come to the mole. This is a defining moment globally and if you don’t thrive virtually you will not excel as much.
After this session we might see shifts in the working place. Many organizations will want to have more teams working virtually because it is cheaper. They don’t need too much working space, and even as they organize for layoffs they will consider people who can work effectively virtually. So if we don’t build the habit now, we might really struggle in the future.
Online sessions
Faith adds that clients have been calling her seeking professional advice because their performances especially top performances are doing very badly during this period. They have gone as far as having online guidance sessions with clients on how to work effectively at home.
So why is it that top performers are the ones doing badly
According to Faith, “Top performers have a program or a schedule. They prepare physically, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically and set the day successfully either by praying, exercising, meditating and then dress up. Most of them get to the office an hour earlier. But when they work virtually, they lose the program and become unproductive which is reflected in their work.” Adding that, “When you lose your first hour of the day you will most probably lose track of everything else.”
What to invest in to ensure you can still work from home effectively;
- Program – If you don’t have a schedule now is the time. Physiological preparation is a priority, so schedule.
- Wi-Fi is big priority. If you don’t have access to it, you can ask your organization to provide it for you.
- Food supplies are equally important so that you don’t need to keep going to the grocery because it will interrupt with your work schedule.
- Also, ensure you pay your bills because your house is now your investment.
- Have the discipline to wake up early – it gives you a winning attitude.
Good Luck to everyone working from home!
