I’ve done it all. I’ve worked from home. I’ve worked from an office. I’ve shared my time between working from home and working from an office. I’ve even spent time working from a co-working space. It’s true, there are pros and cons to every work set up. I’d be lying if I told you it wasn’t slightly (or maybe significantly) more convenient to skip the commute and work all day in my pajamas. But, I’d also be lying if I told you that it was easy to keep a work/life balance, avoid distractions and remain inspired and productive day in and day out when working from home.
This post is meant to shed light on some of the most detrimental ways that working from home may be hurting your business. Whether you’re a multi-national business with thousands of employees or a local start-up just getting your feet wet, each of these pitfalls can (and does) affect your business’ productivity and profitability.
Here are 5 ways working from home is hurting your business:
Decreased Productivity
There are studies published by very bright and scholarly institutions touting the increased productivity of remote workers but there are also studies shouting the increased productivity of colocated teams (a fancy word for working from the office, together in one place). So, who is correct? The answer is they all are.
Productivity is tied to the type of work people perform. For sales people and writers, working alone isn’t quite so bad. But for individuals who are working on big-picture, strategic goals and decisions, working in an office with like-minded professionals has actually proven to boost results.
Another factor to consider when discussing productivity is personality. For some, eliminating office distractions allows them to lock in to required tasks and actually work longer hours, at a more productive rate. But, for others, the isolation and lack of personal motivation cause a marked decrease in productivity.
The Missing “Water Cooler Effect”
There is more to be said about “water cooler gossip” than the gossip itself. Harvard Magazine recently analyzed how the proximity of coworkers played into the level of success groups achieved. The data showed the more closely teams worked with someone, the more success was achieved through the synergies of collaboration. And who doesn’t want greater success?
“You’re the same today as you’ll be in five years except for two things: the people you meet and the books you read.” – Motivational speaker Charlie “Tremendous” Jones. Meeting new people at the water cooler could be the key to your success.
Others’ Success Drives your Success
It would appear that the success of others around you, whether they work for your company or not, is a driving factor of your success. When companies around you are experiencing real-world breakthroughs, you can learn from them. When your co-worker experiences a set-back, you can safeguard yourself and your company from experiencing that same mistake.
When teams collaborate, there is a synergistic experience that plays to each individual person’s strengths and allows for a greater outcome than working alone. Even if a quick, 15-minute informal hallway conversation, it could spark a new idea or unexpected business move that throttles up your business’ success..
“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” –Andrew Carnegie
Work Life Balance Issues
It doesn’t take long for a conversation about work to land on the topic of work/life balance. For some, setting boundaries helps, but for many people the temptation of a home office just steps away with the blue glow of a laptop screen is too much to resist. The temptation intensifies with looming deadlines and pressing business decisions weighing heavily on your mind.
In fact, there are countless articles and studies warning workers about the little-known side effects of working from home. From family and relationship issues to mental health issues and burnout, a separate office space can create a firm boundary for spouses, kids and personal mental health.
Missing Amenities that Foster Growth
One of the biggest complaints I hear about running a business from home is not having a professional place to conduct meetings and interviews. While there is a definite convenience to working from home, the missing amenities and lack of professionalism could be stalling your business growth more than you realize.
For businesses with inventory, garage bays and basements can quickly fill up, taking away from personal storage space that might be necessary for your family. Additionally, having a forklift, room to receive deliveries and space to process large levels of inventory are not a viable option for most suburban homes.
Finally, having a full-time receptionist may not be in the budget for growing companies. If budget isn’t a concern, keeping a full-time staff member busy may be difficult. Having an office space with a shared receptionist can give you added freedom to focus on the important task of building your business without the distractions of signing for packages, processing deliveries and waiting for interviewees to show up.
Whether you’re on the fence about finding office space for your growing company or you know you need to make a change in your business environment to see the growth you know is possible, RISE Commercial District is happy to help answer your questions and see if we can find a working situation that benefits your company and your growing needs.
What has been your biggest challenge when working from home?
