Another Year in the Rear View Mirror By Jennifer Myers

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Thinking of Recruiting Someone to Work Remotely?  5 Top tips for Business Owners By Anna Ramm

Since the global pandemic “remote employment” has boomed. Employing remote workers within New Zealand and overseas offers New Zealand businesses the flexibility and access to a broader talent pool than just wouldn’t have been possible several years ago. As with most things in life, remote working does come with a particular set of challenges.

Here are five essential considerations to keep in mind when employing someone working remotely:

Communication and Collaboration Tools: Effective communication lies at the heart of any successful remote working arrangement. Invest in reliable communication and collaboration tools that facilitate seamless interaction among team members. Platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom provide channels for real-time messaging, video conferences, and file sharing. Implement clear guidelines for communication protocols, ensuring everyone is on the same page despite their physical distance.

Establish Clear Expectations: Defining roles, responsibilities, and specific deliverables for each team member is essential. Establish transparent guidelines for work hours, availability, and deadlines. Clearly outline performance metrics and goals, allowing remote team members to understand what is expected of them. Regularly revisit and update these expectations to adapt to changing circumstances and evolving business needs.

Cultivate a Strong Company Culture: Maintaining a cohesive company culture is challenging when employees are scattered across different locations. However, it is not impossible. Foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie through virtual team-building activities, online social events, and recognition programs. Encourage open communication, celebrate achievements, and reinforce shared values to create a unified company culture that transcends physical boundaries.

Focus on Cybersecurity: Remote work can potentially expose your business to cybersecurity threats. Implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and ensure the privacy of both your company and your clients. Provide remote team members with secure virtual private networks (VPNs) and multi-factor authentication tools. Educate them about phishing scams and best practices for securing their home networks. Regularly update security protocols to stay ahead of emerging threats.

Prioritize Mental Health and Well-being: Remote work, while offering flexibility, can also blur the lines between professional and personal life, leading to burnout and decreased productivity. Encourage your team to establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Promote regular breaks, exercise, and social interactions to combat isolation and stress. Offer resources such as access to counselling services or mental health workshops to support your team’s well-being.

Embracing remote workers can bring tremendous benefits to your business, but it requires careful planning and monitoring.

Find out more about how I help my clients here:  https://www.networkhr.co.nz/

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Another Year in the Rear View Mirror By Jennifer Myers

As you near the end of another year in business (either in your own business or for an employer), I would encourage you to set aside time to reflect on what has happened during the year. But, after 13 years of coaching a wide variety of businesses, I have come to rely on a few specific questions to guide this reflection. So make an appointment with yourself (and keep it!), pour your favourite beverage, get comfortable and make sure you have something to write or type your thoughts on.

One of the first questions I want you to ask yourself is this: ‘What has gone brilliantly well for me this year in my business or in my career?’

  • What goals did I smash?
  • What client did I win?
  • How much holiday or quality family time did I enjoy?
  • What new skill did I learn?

Take time with this one and really FEEL the enjoyment and the sense of achievement, then write down what feelings are coming up.

The next question I want you to focus on is:  ‘What didn’t go to plan this year?’

  • What deal fell over?
  • What system or process let me or a client down?
  • What project did I start and not finish?

The REAL gold in this question is following up each of  your answers with this: ‘What could I have done to change the outcome of that situation?’ This question isn’t just about rehashing what went wrong, but making a real attempt to learn from those experiences so that you don’t repeat them! Write down your answers.

Here’s the third question I want you to answer: ‘What will I do DIFFERENTLY in the coming year to get an even better result for my business or to further my career?’  Because here’s the thing, if you’re not growing you’re dying. And your business or career will never outgrow YOU! How will YOU grow in the coming year?

  • How many books will you read?
  • What new skill will you learn?
  • How much holiday time will you enjoy?
  • How will you take care of yourself differently to protect your energy?
  • How will you keep more promises to yourself?
  • What will LIFE/WORK balance look like?

2024 can be whatever you want it to be. So, use your reflection time to begin designing the life and business YOU want. You know your Venus management team is here to support you any way we can. You just have to ask!

Happy Holidays!

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