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Work effectively

Learn to work more effectively, collaboratively and digitally - whether at home or in the office - with our how-to guides and best practices.

![Small business home office for working remotely](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/6BHsSqAxReydnhzMTIQ6AP/92f4abb75077a05d3ef739a898193058/jonathan-kemper-0fRjMvmjG2A-unsplash-min.jpg)

Many businesses have been forced to [switch to remote work  in 2020](https://www.piesync.com/blog/28-stats-about-remote-work/) due to Covid-19, even if they had zero plans to do so at the beginning of the year.

However, more and more organizations are deciding to __transition fully to remote working__ as a way to [increase flexibility](https://www.piesync.com/blog/how-to-make-your-business-more-flexible-during-uncertainty/), reduce costs, and remain strong during uncertain times.

For many businesses, this marks a new era with a completely new way of doing things. When done well, working remotely can also be an opportunity to help your small business thrive.

Here's what small businesses transitioning to remote work should keep in mind, including our top recommendations of the best apps, productivity tips, and tactics to make flexible working a success.

---

## What small businesses that thrive remotely have in common

&nbsp;

### 1. A great tech stack

The key factor that has enabled the shift to remote working in 2020 is **cloud-based technology**. Without contact management apps to view customer data anywhere and collaboration tools like Slack to stay in contact with coworkers, we'd still depend on our offices to get work done.

The small businesses that thrive remotely have a great stack of cloud-based apps on their side, including:

* A [CRM for contact management](https://www.piesync.com/blog/guide-to-crm/) with real-time data
* [Sales and marketing automation tools](https://www.piesync.com/blog/most-effective-ways-to-automate-your-business/) to get more done in less time
* [Remote communication apps](https://www.piesync.com/blog/apps-for-working-remotely/) to keep their team in touch
* Omnichannel [customer support software](https://www.piesync.com/blog/guide-to-customer-support-automation/) for a centralized view of all inquiries
* [Accounting systems](https://www.piesync.com/blog/how-to-manage-your-remote-hr-team-successfully/) to seamlessly manage payroll and accounting for a distributed team
* [Project management software](https://www.piesync.com/blog/12-tips-for-successful-project-management/) to keep everyone on track

If all of your business apps are offered as software-as-a-service (SaaS), there's no need to be reliant on the office anymore.

<RelatedPost slug="apps-for-working-remotely" />

&nbsp;

### 2. A focus on balance

The small businesses that thrive while working remotely know that __it's not all about the work__. It's also about keeping their team happy and healthy. If that doesn't happen, neither will the work!

Part of the job for small business owners and managers is to help their team to nurture that balance. Encourage employees to work productively, but also set the expectation that they will switch off and have a __clear end to the working day__.

This starts with your own behavior as a team manager – make sure you're demonstrating work-life boundaries and avoid sending Slack messages at 3pm on a Sunday.

&nbsp;

### 3. Remote-first policies

Transitioning to remote work requires rethinking how things are done at your company. Even the smallest businesses need to pivot their culture to become remote-first. This means making changes so that meetings, collaboration, teambuilding, announcements, and decision-making are all __engineered to be carried out remotely__. If you can meet up as a team, great! But for remote small businesses, this is the exception to the norm.

<RelatedPost slug="piesync-tips-for-working-from-home" />

&nbsp;

### 4. Respect and value your team

When remote work was just starting to become popular, it was sometimes promoted as a perk (and in some cases, even a justification to pay employees less).

While working remotely has many privileges, it's not always a perk in itself. In fact, some employees might prefer coming into the office! To help your team get the best results from flexible work, you need to focus on two core things: respecting and valuing your team. 

This includes __respecting each team member's boundaries__, keeping work within designated hours, and encouraging each person to switch off outside this time. It also includes making an effort to show each employee appreciation for their work and __valuing what they add to the business__ from their remote office.

To track and reward each person's contribution, make sure to have clearly defined goals and [automated reporting](https://www.piesync.com/blog/automate-business-reporting/) in place to celebrate high performance.

&nbsp;

### 5. Awareness of what helps productivity

Everyone has their own way of staying productive, and that's even more pronounced when your team is working outside the office. That said, you can help each person in your team to [find their optimal productivity and focus](https://www.piesync.com/blog/work-from-home-productivity/).

Avoid creating blanket guidelines for how your team should work, but rather focus on the expected output. Then, give your team __freedom and autonomy__ to reach those goals in their own way. 

According to [research by Slack](https://slack.com/intl/en-gb/blog/collaboration/report-remote-work-during-coronavirus) into remote work during Covid-19, new remote workers are more likely to struggle to communicate effectively and find the documentation and resources they need to do their work:

![Remote work ease of communication stats 2020](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/3kNau7RVejAKgDxbOYTY1Z/640b8ec2c0f87830189a7e4b4a2a574d/Remote_work_ease_of_communication_stats_2020.png)

The small businesses that thrive remotely are most likely to __respect people's need for undisturbed focus time__, let their team mute Slack notifications when they need to GSD, and not always dictate that their team should be online between strict hours if the role allows for more freedom.

<RelatedPost slug="work-from-home-productivity" />

&nbsp;

### 6. Seamless hiring processes

You can't hire the way you always have when you become a remote small business. But when done well, [hiring remotely](https://www.piesync.com/blog/hiring-staff-remotely/) can mean hiring more effectively. Not only can you access a wider talent pool, but you can also create a streamlined hiring process that pinpoints the best candidates for your small business.

<RelatedPost slug="hiring-staff-remotely" />

&nbsp;

### 7. Apps in sync

Data is one of the key foundations of [sound business operations](https://www.piesync.com/blog/b2b-business-operations-strategy/). When you're a remote small business, it's even more important that you have up-to-date and [reliable data](https://www.piesync.com/blog/more-reliable-business-data/) in all of your apps. After all, every team member needs the latest view of your customers, otherwise customer service suffers and it's easy to make poor decisions.

The easiest way to keep your apps in sync and your data connected everywhere is with a two-way syncing solution like PieSync. From your CRM to your email marketing list and customer support software, sync the latest customer data everywhere so your remote team can always see the most accurate picture.


Even if your small business didn't plan to transition to remote work in 2020, there's a high chance you did. Here's how to make it a success now and in the long term.

 7 ways that small businesses can thrive remotely

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Remote Work

Small business home office for working remotely

7 ways that small businesses can thrive remotely

![hiring staff remotely](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/29gTWhkbLfZ0j3Vrupu3Zp/67100619e21a8216892885fe41cd92f5/hiring_staff_remotely.jpg)

Remote teams are future-proofed teams. Many businesses have been forced to adapt to remote work practically overnight due to COVID-19, while others already made the pivot intentionally in previous years.

Regardless of where your business falls on that spectrum, the [benefits of remote work](https://www.piesync.com/blog/28-stats-about-remote-work/) mean it's only going to become more common and advantageous for teams to work remotely.

Although we have our PieSync HQ in Ghent, Belgium, we've been transitioning to remote-first hiring processes. This is especially true in our marketing team, which has been distributed across Europe, Asia and North and South America in the last year.

Our parent company, HubSpot, has also been [hiring more remote employees](https://www.hubspot.com/careers/remote) and now has a population of 400 full-time remote employees. So... how do we make remote hiring and onboarding work for us?

__We've adapted our team to remote work by building a culture with:__

* Remote-friendliness in our company DNA
* [A cloud-based tech stack](https://www.piesync.com/blog/apps-for-working-remotely/) that supports our team wherever they're working
* Remote-first operations (meetings, collaboration, working styles)
* Remote hiring and onboarding processes

<RelatedPost slug="piesync-tips-for-working-from-home" /> 

During the last year, the bulk of our marketing hiring processes have been handled entirely remotely and we've honed our capability to take a new hire from applicant to onboarded without real face-to-face interaction.

Here's the process we've followed to attract top talent from all over the world and give them a great welcome to the team remotely.

&nbsp;

## Our remote hiring process in PieSync's marketing team

There are several best practices we've been optimizing to get the best results from hiring remotely, starting with how we screen, interview and follow up with candidates.

&nbsp;

### Phase 1: Screening

* Look at LinkedIn instead of a document-based CV
* Send a screening questionnaire
* Focus on actual work experience and portfolio
* Have a quick review of their digital presence

Our remote hiring process starts by opening up the net to the widest pool of good-fit candidates.

We don't focus much on document-based CVs and resumes – it's not 2000 anymore, and LinkedIn gives us all of that information in a more standardized way.

Every candidate also completes a mandatory questionnaire when applying that gives us a glimpse of how serious and attentive they are, as well as what they could add to the team. It's easy to weed out those who are "mass applying" at this stage.

This questionnaire is a valuable way for us to make the first cut of candidates, but also gives us information to compare the candidates in our longlist in more depth.

After making the list a bit more manageable, we also look at the digital presence and activity of those candidates to narrow down applicants further. We love seeing candidates with their own website to show a bit more about who they are, what inspires them, and the work they love creating.

For each role, we focus on the applicants' actual work experience and portfolio, especially (but not exclusively!) for creative roles such as writers and designers. 

&nbsp;

### Phase 2: Interview

* Schedule a video interview with skills and personality questions
* Look at their approach to answering and asking questions
* Shortlist for honesty, willingness to learn new things, and an open communication style

Our remote interviews are always with video on and include a mix of skill-based and personality questions. 

While we care about the answers, often it's more about the candidate's approach to answering them. We prefer candidates to be honest and just say "I don't know, but I can find out" rather than covering up gaps in their knowledge.

The video interview stage is also a helpful time to see the questions that a candidate asks, as well as how they assess the role from their own side. What matters to them? And why are they interested in the role?

&nbsp;

### Phase 3: Follow up

* Have a more detailed look at their digital footprint and portfolio
* Give the candidate a skills-based task and deadline to narrow down the shortlist
* Schedule a video call with another colleague if decision making is difficult
* Connect them to HR to make an offer

 

The video interview provides a good way to narrow down our shortlist of candidates and highlight the best-fit candidates.

If we're finding it hard to narrow down the shortlist, we often ask candidates to complete a task that's related to what the role will involve and set a deadline. Another video call with a colleague can also help here.

Once we've found the perfect fit, we connect them with HR to make an offer and give them a great welcome to PieSync.

<RelatedPost slug="how-to-build-a-strong-team-culture" /> 

---

## Onboarding remote hires

Welcoming remote hires to the team can require a bit more effort to get right than standard in-office onboarding. However, tech makes it easier than ever to make new team members feel like part of the team. 

Here are some of the tactics we use to onboard new hires remotely:

* __Ask everyone to create a "Working With Me" guide__. Everyone in our marketing team has created their own Google Doc to share how they like to work, receive feedback, schedule meetings, and a bit more about themselves. Some of our team members also include personality test results here to help their colleagues understand them better.

* __Set boundaries__. Managers don't want to be working outside of usual office hours, and nor do our team members. We encourage our team to set up "Do Not Disturb" schedules in Slack and respect those boundaries when someone is done for the day.

* __Streamline access to our tech stack__. To help a new hire get started as easily as possible, we use [LastPass](https://lastpass.com/) to smoothly pass over all of the credentials they need to access the right tools for their role. Remember to pair this with documentation in your wiki or some 1-1 training with their new colleagues to show them the ropes.

* __Use automation to build team culture__. Automation doesn't mean making things impersonal. Rather, it can bring your team closer together. Here are some of the ways we [use automation to strengthen our team culture](https://www.piesync.com/blog/manage-a-remote-team-with-automation/).


* __Communicate the cues you'd use in an office__. When you're working in the same place, it's easy to pick up that someone doesn't want to be disturbed if they've got headphones on. That's not so easy when you're working remotely. However, with Slack it's easy to make up for it with helpful digital signals of what you're up to and if you're available to chat.
 
![Communicate working cues and updates with Slack](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/4NvX0UvcounoOXv03lAd9I/0a4a55eb7bb490d4a43c452dde54abd6/Screenshot_2020-07-03_at_11.57.27.png)

&nbsp;

## Making remote work a success

Hiring, onboarding and collaborating remotely takes constant optimization. A remote hiring strategy will never be one-size-fits-all, especially when your team isn't always 100% remote.

To get the best results from hiring and onboarding staff remotely, remember to make your processes remote-first. These can easily be adapted to in-person interactions, but the reverse is more difficult. With a powerful cloud-based tech stack, remote processes, and a strong team culture, you're heading in a great direction.


---

### Our remote work toolkit:

* [25+ of our team's best tips for working from home](https://www.piesync.com/blog/piesync-tips-for-working-from-home/)
* [How to manage your remote HR team successfully](https://www.piesync.com/blog/how-to-manage-your-remote-hr-team-successfully/)
* [28 stats about remote work in 2020](https://www.piesync.com/blog/28-stats-about-remote-work/)
* [15 apps to make remote work easier](https://www.piesync.com/blog/apps-for-working-remotely/)
* [6 ways to use automation to manage a remote team
](https://www.piesync.com/blog/manage-a-remote-team-with-automation/)
* [7 steps to build a strong team culture](https://www.piesync.com/blog/how-to-build-a-strong-team-culture/)
* [10 tips for parents working from home with kids](https://www.piesync.com/blog/remote-work-guide-for-parents/)
* [11 tips to boost your productivity when working from home](https://www.piesync.com/blog/work-from-home-productivity/)

Hiring remotely is easier and more effective than ever before. Here's the process we've followed to attract, hire, and onboard top talent remotely.

A guide to hiring and onboarding staff remotely in 2020

laptop with code on the screen next to coffee pot and cup

hiring staff remotely

![Remote work for accountants](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/3S3I1Qq0KdKTeRF96ZvfCB/5b4b2956fa88d90598b0388c21f5e886/kelly-sikkema-wgcUx0kR1ps-unsplash.jpg)

There was a time when accountants only worked in offices, relying on desktop accounting software and on-prem management systems. Accounting was the archetype for a 9-5 job, with rigid structures and routines. It used to be a commonly held belief that high levels of productivity required supervision or even surveillance. 

But those days are a thing of the past. 

As digitalization continues to disrupt sector after sector, the finance and accounting industry is seeing a massive shift in working conditions. Technological advancements and cloud-based accounting systems enable accountants working from home to produce results just as good as those in office settings.

The World Economic Forum also points to [workplace flexibility](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/davos-2020-future-work-jobs-skills-what-to-know/) as a crucial topic in the future of work, and an increasing number of businesses are discovering the upsides of this new way of working.

[Younger generations in particular want more freedom](https://startupnation.com/manage-your-business/millennials-want-work-remotely/) and have come to expect a different level of flexibility and autonomy. 

**Remote work is here to stay, and with COVID-19 the transition went from optional to imperative.** Today, more accounting firms than ever are embracing remote work and leveraging the benefits.

&nbsp;

## Remote work gives you access to top talent

Finding skilled employees in finance and accounting can be difficult. Widening the candidate search to include remote candidates is an efficient way to get a larger pool of talent to choose from and a competitive edge. 

Allowing remote work is also a way to become a more attractive workplace for local talent. [88% of people who work remotely](https://www.talentlms.com/blog/remote-work-statistics-survey/) would recommend telecommuting to their friends, and [only 20% of employees working from home](https://www.talentlms.com/blog/remote-work-statistics-survey/) would prefer to go back to working in an office.

Leading accounting firms are adapting to the remote trend, and according to a 2018 survey by Convergence Coaching, [43% of CPA firms](https://financesonline.com/accounting-trends/) offer their employees the option of working from home.

&nbsp;

## Other benefits of remote work for accounting firms

Alongside talent acquisition, the benefits of remote work for accounting firms are numerous, both for the employer and employees. From a business perspective, [Forbes lists the following five proven benefits](https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurelfarrer/2020/02/12/top-5-benefits-of-remote-work-for-companies/#5972ae1416c8) as the most important:

- **Productivity:** Remote workers are 35-40% more productive than their office colleagues, and have an output increase of more than 4.4%.
- **Performance:** With more autonomy and location independence, employees deliver results with 40% fewer quality defects.
- **Engagement:** With increased levels of productivity and performance, remote workers are typically more engaged with 41% lower absence rates.
- **Retention:** Teams showed an average of 12% turnover reduction after remote work is offered.
- **Profitability:** Companies save an average of $11,000 yearly per remote worker, translating to a 21% higher profitability.

&nbsp;

## Help your team transition to remote work

As we've seen, there are many reasons to give remote work a go in your accounting firm, even after the pandemic has passed. But what does it take to succeed?

While the benefits of working remotely for accountants are numerous, some challenges come with it too. 

Not being able to meet your team members or clients in person has its downsides, and for your company to thrive in this new situation you need processes that facilitate connection – even from afar. Here's how to handle these challenges of remote work.

---

### 3 common challenges of remote work for accountants – and how to handle them

#### 1. Not meeting your clients in person

Cutting out 1-1 time with clients can make it seem more difficult to build a relationship. It can also increase the risk of misunderstandings.

**Solution:** Whenever possible, opt for video calls to make your meetings more personal. Keep a clear agenda for every meeting and always send a follow-up email listing what was discussed and decided. 

When everyone is working remotely, communicating every little detail in writing is key to achieving goals and delivering excellent customer experiences.

&nbsp;

#### 2. Managing a remote team is difficult

Managing a team without meeting your team members will always be different from when you all work in the same space. Team-building, motivational activities and planning need to happen in a different format.

**Solution:** Make sure to book regular team meetings and one-on-ones with your team members. As with your client meetings, use video whenever possible. 

To learn from another industry, software developers often start their day with a daily 15-minute standup meeting; a habit that lends itself well to all kinds of remote teams. The standup (which, when done remotely often is a sitdown) is a great way to check in with your team, give each other a boost of energy and sync around your projects. 

Also, do remember to plan some time together that is not work-related. This can make up for the lack of office banter that would have taken place by the coffee machine were you all in the same space. 

Virtual happy hours and video games are both fun teambuilding activities that can work wonders for motivation and morale.

<RelatedPost slug="manage-a-remote-team-with-automation" /> 

&nbsp;

#### 3. Customer service and internal comms can get messy

With no receptionist to guide visitors and clients to the right person, you risk having clients calling the wrong number or be left hanging.

**Solution:** [Integrate all your applications and contacts](https://www.piesync.com/why/) to enrich the data in every app and help your team know exactly which client is calling.

A robust PBX (Private Branch Exchange) or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) system that's [integrated with your CRM system and other applications](https://www.piesync.com/connections/voip/) can also help you ensure everyone who is calling your business has the best possible experience.

---

## Cloud-based tools make remote work easier for accountants

To fully enjoy the [advantages of remote work](https://www.piesync.com/blog/28-stats-about-remote-work/), having the right tools in place is essential. With the right tech stack, your team will be able to transition seamlessly between the office and remote work and between different devices.

- **Communication:** Slack and Zoom are great tools for communication and video meetings. To quickly set up local numbers and call anywhere in the world, also check out [VoIP tools](https://www.piesync.com/blog/9-voip-trends-for-2020-to-pay-attention-to/) (Voice over Internet Protocol) like [Aircall or RingCentral](https://www.piesync.com/blog/ringcentral-vs-aircall-which-voip-phone-software-is-best/).
- **Collaboration:** To keep your team aligned and in sync, you can adopt a cloud-based tool for collaboration and project management. [Trello](https://www.trello.com) is a popular Kanban-style application, while [Monday](https://monday.com/) and [Asana](https://asana.com/) are more classic project management tools.
- **Business management:** To be able to work remotely, you'll need a cloud-based CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system that your team loves. We've listed some of the [best CRMs for small businesses](https://www.piesync.com/blog/the-best-crms-for-small-businesses-pros-cons-and-what-you-need-to-know/) here. For the best results, make sure to [connect your other apps to your CRM](https://www.piesync.com/solutions/crm/).

<RelatedPost slug="apps-for-working-remotely" /> 

---

## How will your accounting firm thrive remotely?

There are numerous upsides for accounting firms who choose to embrace remote work, including higher productivity, performance, engagement, retention and profitability.

But to be fully able to reap the benefits of remote work as an accountant, it's vital to be proactive and aware of the challenges that come with a new way of working.

By using the right cloud-based technology, and making sure [all your applications and systems are integrated](https://www.piesync.com/why/), you provide your team with the tools to succeed. Other critical success factors include a strong focus on regular communication, video meetings and remembering to take the time for some social banter now and then.


Your accounting firm can thrive remotely, but there are a few challenges to watch out for and best practices to follow. Here's what you need to know.

A guide to remote work for accountants

Remote work for accountants

![Embracing flexible working in your job](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/2OEbzxoiUQCpcAuTpg3Rwm/9cef0571121ee89f18e85855f4b828c8/linkedin-sales-navigator-jJFrkJP_-RA-unsplash-min.jpg)

**A growing number of businesses are discovering the many benefits of flexible working: lower costs, greater flexibility around family and travel, happier employees and improved productivity.**

It's also clear that not only companies benefit from a more flexible way of working. Remote work, either full-time or part-time, is a lifestyle and workstyle that is becoming increasingly popular and appreciated by employees.

The way we view work is changing, and it's changing fast. Remote work has increased by [159%](https://www.piesync.com/blog/28-stats-about-remote-work/) since 2005 globally, and today, around [16%](https://www.piesync.com/blog/28-stats-about-remote-work/) of global companies only hire full-time remote workers.

In this guide to flexible working, let's look at the benefits for businesses and their team members and explore how each can embrace a more flexible way of working.

---

## What is flexible working?

Before we dive into the benefits of flexible working, let's have a look at what it actually means. 

Flexible working, sometimes referred to as flextime or flexitime, is a term describing a wide range of non-traditional working arrangements that are based on each individual's personal needs and preferences, rather than strict company rules. 

Flexible working often involves some degree of remote work, and can include all working arrangements that differ from the traditional nine-to-five norm.

<RelatedPost slug="28-stats-about-remote-work" /> 

&nbsp;

## The future of work

Many factors are driving the change towards flexible working. One is demographic. A large part of the modern workforce consists of tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z. As digital natives, they grew up connected and online, and they've come to expect the same agility, flexibility and user-friendliness at work as they've gotten used to in their private lives.

Millennials tend to value work-life balance highly, which means they're often not interested in sacrificing their personal lives and time to climb the corporate ladder. 

Studies show that a majority of millennials prefer remote work and that [75% would happily leave an office job for a remote one](https://www.hrdive.com/news/nearly-3-out-of-4-workers-would-leave-their-current-job-for-one-offering-re/505302/). By offering flexible working conditions, your company will have a better chance of attracting qualified millennial employees.

The trend towards a more distributed workforce, where team members are often scattered all around the globe, is also a driving factor behind the evolution towards more flexible work arrangements. It's increasingly dawning on companies, as well as on individuals, that for knowledge work today the when and the where has little or no importance.

&nbsp;

## The tech you need to make flexible working successful

With the rise of cloud-based EaaS solutions (Everything as a Service), teams today can have access to all the tools and tech they need - regardless of location and device.

Some of the technical solutions that make flexible work possible include:

- Cloud-based communication and collaboration tools, such as [Slack](https://slack.com/intl/en-se/?eu_nc=1) or [MS Teams](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software).
- Cloud-based project management tools, such as [Asana](https://asana.com/) or [Basecamp](https://basecamp.com/).
- Performance and employee engagement tools, such as [Trackstar](https://www.trakstar.com/).
- Cloud-based CRM systems, such as [Salesforce](https://www.salesforce.com/se/).
- Tools for syncing contacts in real-time between apps, such as [PieSync](https://www.piesync.com/).

With the right tech stack and access to quality hardware, your team will be set up for success, wherever and whenever each individual prefers to work.

<RelatedPost slug="apps-for-working-remotely" /> 

---

## 3 benefits of flexible working – for the employer

From an employer's perspective, the benefits of flexible working go on and on. Let's have a closer look at three of the most commonly cited upsides of a more flexible way of doing things.

&nbsp;

### 1. Increased productivity

[70% of remote workers](https://www.slideshare.net/PGi/state-of-telecommuting-2014-pgi-report/1) say that telecommuting has improved their productivity. The reasons cited for the higher level of productivity include fewer [distractions and interruptions, less stress from commuting and fixed schedules, and less noise](https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/flexjobs-2018-annual-survey-workers-believe-flexible-remote-job-can-help-save-money-reduce-stress-more/).

&nbsp;

### 2. More cost-effective

Flexible working allows for cost savings in many different areas. With a significant percentage of an organization's employees working remotely, the need for office space and maintenance diminishes. In 2018, [companies were estimated to have saved $5 billion](https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2019/07/23/work-from-home-benefits) by allowing employees to work from home part of the time. As many as [six out of ten employers](https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/resources/costs-benefits) consider cost savings as a significant benefit of telecommuting and flexible working.

&nbsp;

### 3. A happier workforce

Many studies indicate that employees appreciate flexible working. [81%](https://amerisleep.com/blog/remote-workers-and-rest/) of remote workers are satisfied with their job situation, a figure which is 57% higher than average job satisfaction. [55% of commuters in the United Kingdom](https://remoteyear.com/blog/commute-negative-side-effects) report increased stress levels due to their commute, and [23% of Americans](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/11/23percent-of-workers-have-quit-a-job-because-of-their-commute.html) have quit a job due to a bad commute. 

Conversely, [82% of remote workers](https://www.slideshare.net/PGi/state-of-telecommuting-2014-pgi-report/1) report reduced stress levels. Only [20%](https://www.talentlms.com/blog/remote-work-statistics-survey/) of employees working in a flexible way or from home say they would rather go back to working in an office.

[52% of employees](http://blog.indeed.com/2018/11/14/remote-work-survey/) who work for companies that do not offer flexible working conditions and remote work opportunities say they wish that their employer would allow them to work from home.

<RelatedPost slug="how-to-build-a-strong-team-culture" /> 

----

## 3 benefits of flexible working – from the employee's perspective

From the employee's point of view, there are also numerous benefits of a more flexible work culture. Here are three of the main advantages of a more modern take on work for team members:

&nbsp;

### 1. More freedom

Many employees appreciate the freedom that comes with flexible working. 20% of people say they would even be willing to take [a pay cut of more than 10%](https://www.piesync.com/blog/28-stats-about-remote-work/) in order to work remotely, while [83% ](https://www.piesync.com/blog/28-stats-about-remote-work/)reported that flexible working at least some of the time would be the decider between two similar job offers.

For some employees this can mean freedom to travel, while for others it can be more time to enjoy time away from their desk [or at home with family](https://www.piesync.com/blog/remote-work-guide-for-parents/).

&nbsp;

### 2. Less stress

Another upside of flexible working is that it significantly reduces the stress that comes with commuting and adapting to rigid schedules. 80% of remote workers say that they experience[ less job stress](https://www.piesync.com/blog/28-stats-about-remote-work/) than they would in a traditional office job.

&nbsp;

### 3. A more sustainable lifestyle

Flexible working also enables people to lead a more sustainable life also from an environmental perspective. Studies indicate that working from home half the week can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an [estimated 54 million tons every year](https://www.piesync.com/blog/28-stats-about-remote-work/).

---

## Best practices for flexible working that will help your business thrive

**Put it in writing.** Clarity is crucial to make sure that expectations are managed and that everyone is on the same page. Ideally, define the terms in each employee's contract.

**Use the right tech.** Make sure everyone has access to the tools they need to be able to perform at their best.

**Don't micromanage.** The whole point of flexible working is flexibility. If you micromanage, you've ruined it. Trusting your employees is essential to make your flexible working arrangements work.

**Level up your communication.** It's much easier to misunderstand each other in writing when you don't have body language and other cues to help you interpret the other person. When working remotely, you will need to communicate more and better. Make sure to book regular 1:1 and team meetings with your direct reports.

**Don't communicate outside of office hours.** One of the downsides of flexible working is that the lines between work hours and free time easily get blurred. Not chatting, calling or emailing outside of work hours will help prevent that.

----

As an increasing number of companies and employees embrace a more flexible way of working, processes, practices and technologies will continue to evolve. And by enabling a work culture based more on freedom and flexibility rather than on rigid control systems, companies embracing the change will have a competitive edge when it comes to attracting and keeping talented employees.

Flexible working is the future for many businesses. Here are the advantages for employees and employers and how to embrace them.

A guide to flexible working and how to embrace it in your business

freelance worker leaving office building carrying backpack

Embracing flexible working in your job

![Real estate adapting to remote work with Covid-19](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/H2xYBRgfbciNY2Zxuo7Q6/31e174465c2f9350c725b934bfbb79c9/cosmic-timetraveler-zh_ofCt2r9c-unsplash-min.jpg)

**The process of finding a dream home is becoming an increasingly digital one, saving both buyers and agents time, hassle and money.**

Like all sectors, the real estate industry has been increasingly affected by technological innovations such as the development of SaaS, VR and AR.

Then COVID-19 came, and suddenly the digitization had to be instant. Realtors who were unable to offer digital sales processes were then unable to sell at all, and businesses in all industries are forced to reinvent their processes and structures to adapt to this new situation.

&nbsp;

## The real estate industry is changing

The role of the realtor has changed from being very hands-on and physical to __a role that can be managed more or less from anywhere__. And remote work is not something that will pass with the virus: it's here to stay. 

Businesses that choose to embrace flexible working sooner rather than later will have a strong competitive advantage, both when it comes to attracting top talent and delivering top-class customer experiences.

&nbsp;

## Digitalization and real estate

Digitalization has led to an 'always-on' culture where people work on and off around the clock. The same goes for customers, who have come to expect service whenever and wherever they ask for it; regardless of the time of day or what device or platform they are using. 

In short, __both employees and clients expect more flexibility__. This is something that has had a significant impact on the real estate industry, where availability, response times and customer service can make or break your business.

Technology is changing the real estate industry in numerous ways, with innovative tools for home viewings and [virtual reality](https://realtybiznews.com/how-is-virtual-reality-transforming-the-real-estate-industry/98758706/) helping agents transcend geographical barriers. 

Virtual reality in the real estate industry has led to [decreased cost and increased conversion rates](https://realtybiznews.com/how-is-virtual-reality-transforming-the-real-estate-industry/98758706/). Clients are able to buy and virtually alter houses with just the click of a button, from the comfort of their home. 

These technologies have proven invaluable during the pandemic, and usage will most likely only continue to increase. These tools have also opened the possibility to work remotely as a realtor.

<RelatedPost slug="piesync-tips-for-working-from-home" /> 

&nbsp;

## How to succeed in selling homes remotely

There are numerous [benefits of remote work](https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurelfarrer/2020/02/12/top-5-benefits-of-remote-work-for-companies/), both for employers and employees. These include higher productivity, improved performance, better employee retention and increased profitability.

> "There should be no reason that you can't operate your office remotely from anywhere with internet access. It's physically possible. Options for everything are out there," says Connecticut-based realtor [David Aurigemma](https://www.homelight.com/blog/agent-how-to-work-remotely-real-estate/)\.

All the technology for going remote is out there and ready for you to implement. But making the transition from office life to remote work also comes with some challenges. Here we'll have a look at best practices to help you overcome them.

---

## 5 best practices to transition to remote work as a realtor

### 1. Be sensitive to the current situation

It's important to acknowledge that we're in an exceptional time historically and that as a result of the pandemic, many people right now are selling and buying homes out of necessity. Agents who ignore the current state of affairs can come across as tone-deaf and lacking in empathy.

&nbsp;

### 2. Pick up your phone or book a video meeting

Email won't do the trick; you need to talk to the other person in order to build trust. Sure, you can send your listing packages and photos via email, but make to follow up by phone or video. 

Want a competitive edge? Try adding video to the live chat on your website. Don't have live chat on your website yet? [Now is the time to add it.](https://blog.telavox.com/en/4-reasons-you-need-live-chat-on-your-website-today)

<RelatedPost slug="12-unique-real-estate-marketing-ideas-for-your-strategy" /> 

&nbsp;

### 3. Offer virtual tours or video walkthroughs

With COVID-19, virtual 3D tours quickly went from nice-to-have to need-to-have. It may feel like a complicated and costly investment, but it's the most effective tool you can use to stay profitable through the pandemic and beyond. 

If you're not able to make the investment, video walkthroughs are also a great way to show homes and property from a distance. All you need is your phone and a steady hand, to show your prospects what you're selling.

<RelatedPost slug="effective-ways-to-automate-your-real-estate" /> 


&nbsp;

### 4. Make sure you have the right tech stack in place

Several components will help you turn remote work into a success for your team. For handling calls at scale, a robust PBX (Private Branch Exchange) or UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) system that's integrated with your CRM and other apps can help you make sure everyone who is calling your business has the best possible experience. 

To keep things simple, Slack is great for internal communication within your team while Zoom is the new global favorite for video meetings. To quickly set up local numbers and call anywhere in the world, check out [VoIP tools](https://www.piesync.com/blog/9-voip-trends-for-2020-to-pay-attention-to/) (Voice over Internet Protocol) like [Aircall or RingCentral](https://www.piesync.com/blog/ringcentral-vs-aircall-which-voip-phone-software-is-best/).

As a real estate agent, you are counting on different business applications to reach out to the right people at the right time. To do so, you need to have access to your contacts’ information at all times. But that information is collected by several tools that don’t really "talk" to each other. By [integrating all your applications and contacts,](https://www.piesync.com/solutions/real-estate/) you will be able to provide a seamless experience for both clients and coworkers.

<RelatedPost slug="apps-for-working-remotely" /> 

&nbsp;

### 5. Communicate with your team

Make sure your agents don't feel isolated and prevent misunderstandings by focusing on ultra-clear and regular communication within your team. Book regular meetings and one-on-ones with your team members, and opt for video rather than phones. 

Remember to plan some digital time together that is not work-related to make room for the office banter that otherwise would have taken place by the coffee machine. Virtual happy hours, after works or coffee breaks can work wonders for [motivation and morale](https://www.piesync.com/blog/how-to-build-a-strong-team-culture/).

<RelatedPost slug="work-from-home-productivity" /> 

---

## How will your real estate business adapt to remote work?

The role of the realtor is changing. Today it's not only possible but __necessary__ to provide a digital process for showing and selling property.

Running an operation with remote agents and virtual sales processes comes with several perks, but also some challenges. Remember these five best practices for remote work as a real estate business that will help you find success:

- **Be sensitive to the current situation**
- **Pick up your phone or book a video meeting**
- **Offer virtual tours or video walkthroughs**
- **Make sure you have the right tech stack in place**
- **Communicate more than you think is necessary**

If implemented, these steps will help your team make a seamless transition from office life to remote work and thrive digitally.

---

At PieSync, we’ve created a solution to make sure you always have the data you need when you work remotely - be it about leads, prospects or customers - right at your fingertips. By having your [CRM, marketing, sales and emailing tools in sync](https://www.piesync.com/solutions/real-estate/), you can save hours on contact management, focus on important leads, and improve your customers’ experience by providing a personal touch during each interaction. 

[Get started now with a free trial](https://app.piesync.com/signup/) to see how to sync your apps like [thousands of other realtors](https://www.piesync.com/customers/) have done.


The real estate industry is changing. Here's how to adapt and future-proof your business by transitioning to remote work as a realtor.

The guide to successful remote work for realtors

Real estate adapting to remote work with Covid-19

![how to manage a remote team](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/1HJHwp2ma9jnnBOIFJzux4/fd115fd49ed6d33ef361e0f5237e93a9/how_to_manage_a_remote_team.jpg)

Embracing remote work is a powerful way to future-proof your business and offer what an increasing number of jobseekers are searching for.

[67% of business leaders](https://www.piesync.com/blog/28-stats-about-remote-work-in-2020/#benefits) think that remote work and flexibility can improve productivity by at least a fifth, while companies that encourage remote work in the US have a [25% lower employee turnover](https://www.piesync.com/blog/28-stats-about-remote-work-in-2020/#benefits) than those that don’t.

However, that's not to say that remote work isn't without its challenges – especially for managers. This is something that **automation** can step in and help solve.

&nbsp;

### The main challenges of managing remote employees: 

* **Tracking**: Keeping a clear oversight of how your direct reports are performing on their goals, as well as what project they're thriving on and struggling with, can be harder when you're remote.
* **Collaboration**: With a distributed team, you can fall into the trap of existing in silos instead of working collaboratively.
* **Leadership**: To lead a remote team, you can't just walk around the office and check in with your colleagues. It requires a more conscious effort to set up remote meetings, chat with everyone individually, and bring everyone together as a team.
* **Morale**: It requires different strategies to build trust and rapport as a remote team compared to working in the same space. If you don't build strong bonds and really get to know each other, you run the risk of a lack of transparency and cooperation.


Effectively managing a remote team requires clear and transparent processes to sustain the four pillars of tracking, collaboration, leadership and morale. 

One of the best ways to achieve these benchmarks of a successful remote team is with **automation**.

By automating more of your workflows, you can help your team to stay productive, collaborative and on schedule. 

The benefits of automation also help to build a happy team – we all want to focus on the work we do best, create an impact in our roles, and belong to a team we care about.

Here are some of the **best ways to use automation to manage a remote team**, with some strategies we use in our own team at PieSync thrown in for good measure.

---

### 1. Automate project management with Trello

On the surface, Trello is a deceptively simple project management tool. Many teams don't realize quite how much you can do with [Butler, Trello's built-in automation tool](https://help.trello.com/article/1198-an-intro-to-butler).

Butler enables you to:

* Create buttons on your cards that trigger certain actions when clicked
* Set rules to trigger commands that will perform specific actions when a certain condition is met
* Schedule commands for tasks that need to be done regularly

These automations open up many opportunities for managing your team remotely.

For example, you could automatically add a button to each new blog post card on Trello that assigns the right marketers and deadlines once clicked:

![Trello automated project management](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/77RpFMXhzuNmwbh2h7Lbwf/e91ad548d0e061afb7b5e9a38e167cb0/Trello-Butler-Card-Button2-1.gif)

When the blog post reaches the "Editing" stage of your board you can then automatically assign an editor to the task and add a due date X days in the future. 

After setting up automated project management, you can breathe easy knowing that your team is kept on track while focusing on your other management tasks.


### 2. Create reminders for deadlines and overdue work

As a manager, you don't want to spend hours of your day chasing up your team on overdue work. And yet... it's easy for that to happen. 

Instead, let automation take the slack of following up with team members when a task is past its deadline.

With Trello's Butler, you can set rules that if a task is overdue, the assigned team member receives a notification. You could customize this text to ask if there's anything they need to finalize the task.

Project management tools like [Asana](https://asana.com/product/automation) also offer handy automation features to chase up your team based on custom rules you set.

### 3. Schedule recurring remote meetings in bulk

Just like any in-office team, meetings are how your remote team collaborates and checks in with each other – they just happen via cloud apps like Zoom or Google Hangouts.

To make your job as the manager of a remote team easier, create recurring meetings with video meeting links attached. You can also add information to the meeting link to ensure that attendees know what to expect of the meeting, especially if they're a newcomer.

<RelatedPost slug="apps-for-working-remotely" />

### 4. Look out for your team and welcome new joiners

There's more to Slack than just a handy way to easily communicate with colleagues. To make the most of the tool, you can set up automations that quickly make managing a team and projects more straightforward.

Slack's [Workflow Builder](https://slack.com/intl/en-gb/features/workflow-automation) is included in all Standard, Plus and Enterprise Grid subscriptions and has some powerful use cases. You can use it to...

* Quickly collect information from team members
* Standardize recurring project updates
* Welcome members to channels

Here's [a sample Slack workflow](https://slack.com/intl/en-gb/slack-tips/stay-healthy-while-working-from-home) to encourage your team to stay healthy while working from home:

![Slack automated workflow for working from home](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/1fHpRKD7p6lMpCUIdZPEsD/693f7b47b0c9e5a8f3e112b5d5935fa0/Screen-Shot-2020-03-11-at-10.02.34-PM.png)

Another great use of Slack workflows is to [automatically onboard new members](https://slack.com/intl/en-gb/slack-tips/automatically-onboard-new-channel-members) to the channel:

![Slack automated workflow for onboarding](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/27xDkQUKJ1tk9HheFTfsHR/9e96a272b6bb5702b5e2e71766ffb6a2/onboarding-2_2x.png)

Here are some more Slack workflow automations we love:

* Make it easy to [give team shoutouts](https://slack.com/intl/en-gb/slack-tips/make-it-easy-to-give-team-shoutouts)
* [Get feedback](https://slack.com/intl/en-gb/slack-tips/get-feedback-no-meeting-required) with no meeting required


### 5. Remind your team to prep for a meeting

Alongside boosting rapport and encourage collaboration, Slack reminders are also a fantastic way to **keep your team productive**.

At PieSync we rely on Slack reminders to help us prep for recurring meetings and share our notes ahead of time. These are automatically posted in key channels a few hours before the meeting takes place, with the relevant people notified and a link to the meeting doc included:

![Slack automate meeting prep reminders](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/1nEHlXPb9G0k1BGDwfGaF4/58f8e927464ec74de1d6951e2a3445a1/Screenshot_2020-04-14_at_19.44.01.png)

&nbsp;

**Extra tip:** Need to add manual reminders to Slack? Type /remind in the message field to set a reminder for yourself, someone else or a channel. 


### 6. Ask your team to recap their week

For the vast majority of remote teams, it's usually totally unfounded to wonder if your colleagues are _actually working_ when they're not in the office. 

Remote productivity is higher for many teams than if they're in an office. Also, if your team can get the work done in less time, is it really an issue if they sit at their laptop for fewer hours?

(If you do need tips on staying productive while working remotely, [here's our best advice](https://www.piesync.com/blog/work-from-home-productivity/)!)

A better question to ask is **what your team has been working on** and how that aligns with individual and team goals. 

This is not only valuable for managers to get a full view of their team's progress, it's also useful for accountability: we could all do with regularly asking ourselves what we've achieved in the last week and what our plan is for the next one.

At PieSync, we have an automated Slack reminder every Monday for the Marketing team to post a recap of their last week and what their plan is for the next:

![Slack automate team progress updates](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/482odeYmLERpaDDsfvQiIN/6f4fe623e2e28384a92dd8a99677e62a/Screenshot_2020-04-14_at_20.14.03.png)



----

We've said this before, but automation isn't about replacing people's jobs. It's about enabling people to have the time and energy to focus on their best work while repetitive tasks are automatically taken care of. 

How can you use automation to enable more focus, rapport and impact in your team?

Automation is a powerful way to enable more focus, rapport and productivity in remote teams. Here are 6 of the best automation ideas to manage your team remotely.

6 ways to use automation to manage a remote team

how to manage a remote team

![Remote work statistics for 2020](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/49olPEzJ4oMWnkP33WiWX3/55a58c30d04047a04d30c6a710b61f36/statistics_about_remote_work_in_2020.jpg)

A decade ago, the idea that a company could function without a central office full of staff would have been laughed out of most meeting rooms. Many believed that high levels of productivity were unachievable at home, where managers couldn’t keep an eye on their direct reports. 

However, as a result of modern technology, working outside of a company’s office and having the flexibility to work remotely is now **a key factor for many job seekers** when evaluating career opportunities.

As the benefits of remote working become well recognized, business executives are becoming more comfortable with the idea that work is fluid and can happen anywhere at any time. Increasing numbers of organizations are also understanding that simply having a body to fill an office chair is not always worth the extra expense, nor is it more effective at achieving goals. 

Flexible working conditions have [shown to generate happy and more productive employees](#benefits), which in turn improves employee retention. Remote work also enables companies to __hire from a more diverse talent pool__, as remote working removes the geographical barrier of only hiring local candidates.

We're also experiencing an unprecedented surge in remote work now in 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic changes our day-to-day lives and millions of employees have had to adapt to work from home. 

Although working remotely is currently a temporary measure, the outbreak of COVID-19 could cause __a permanent shift towards flexible working__ as many employees (and their bosses) may start to question why they had to go into the office in the first place. 

---

## The remote work statistics to know about in 2020

&nbsp;

To quantify the changes happening to our work habits, keep reading for our compilation of 28 insightful stats about remote work in 2020...

&nbsp;

### How remote work is changing

1. Working remotely has grown 159% since 2005 globally. [(Merchant Savvy)](https://www.merchantsavvy.co.uk/remote-working-statistics/)

2. Approximately 16% of global companies hire only full-time remote workers. [(Owl Labs)](https://www.owllabs.com/state-of-remote-work/2018)

3. 44% of global companies don’t allow remote work at all. [(Owl Labs)](https://www.owllabs.com/state-of-remote-work/2018)

4. 77% of global businesses are using flexible workspace policies of varying degrees to attract and retain top talent. [(IWG)](http://assets.regus.com/pdfs/iwg-workplace-survey/iwg-workplace-survey-2019.pdf)

5. At least 56% of the US workforce holds a job that is partially compatible with remote work, but currently only 3.6% of the employee workforce works at home half of the time or more. [(Global Workplace Analytics)](https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/work-at-home-after-covid-19-our-forecast)

6. By 2030, it is estimated that the US could see an economic boost of $4.5 trillion annually from flexible working, while China could gain $1.4 trillion extra annually. [(IWG)](http://assets.regus.com/pdfs/iwg-workplace-survey/iwg-workplace-survey-2019.pdf)

7. 20% of people would be willing to take a paycut of more than 10% in order to work remotely. [(Owl Labs)](https://www.owllabs.com/state-of-remote-work/2019)

8. 2 in 3 knowledge-based workers think that the office will be obsolete by 2030. [(Zapier)](https://zapier.com/blog/remote-work-report-by-zapier/)

9. 98% of employees before the COVID-19 outbreak wanted to work from home at least some of the time for the rest of their careers. [(Buffer)](https://lp.buffer.com/state-of-remote-work-2020)

10. 83% of employees reported that the ability to work flexibly at least some of the time would act as a decider between two similar job offers. [(IWG)](http://assets.regus.com/pdfs/iwg-workplace-survey/iwg-workplace-survey-2019.pdf)

----

### Benefits of remote working and WFH in 2020{#benefits}

11. 67% of business leaders think that remote work and flexibility can improve productivity by at least a fifth. [(IWG)](http://assets.regus.com/pdfs/iwg-workplace-survey/iwg-workplace-survey-2019.pdf)

12. Half-time telecommuters save 11 days a year by not traveling to work. These employees also save an estimated $4,000 per year by working remotely due to reduced travel, parking and food costs. [(Global Workplace Analytics)](https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/telecommuting-statistics)

13. 80% of remote workers experience less job stress. [(Flexjobs)](https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/remote-work-statistics/)

14. Working from home half the week can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 54 million tons every year. [(Global Workspace Analytics)](https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/telecommuting-statistics) 

15. 32% of workers said the biggest benefit of working remotely is the ability to have a flexible schedule, 26% stated the ability to work from anywhere, 21% was not having to commute and 11% spending time with family. [(Buffer)](https://lp.buffer.com/state-of-remote-work-2020)

16. Companies that encourage remote work in the U.S have a 25% lower employee turnover than those that don’t. [(Owl Labs)](https://www.owllabs.com/state-of-remote-work/2017)

17. In the U.S, 26% of remote workers earn more than $100,000 per annum, whilst only 8% of onsite workers earn more than $100,000 per annum. [(Owl Labs)](https://www.owllabs.com/state-of-remote-work/2019)

----

### Stats showing the impact of COVID-19 on remote work and the adoption of cloud apps

18. An estimated 16 million US knowledge workers shifted to remote work as of March 27 due to COVID-19. ([Slack](https://slackhq.com/report-remote-work-during-coronavirus))

19. 30% of employees are predicted to remain remote after the pandemic is over. [(TechRepublic)](https://www.techrepublic.com/article/global-hr-leaders-respond-to-coronavirus-48-of-employers-require-sick-leave-for-covid-19/)

20. Zoom has gained 2.2 million more active users in the first two months of 2020 than all of 2019. [(CNBC)](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/26/zoom-has-added-more-users-so-far-this-year-than-in-2019-bernstein.html)

21. 775% increase in Microsoft Teams’ calling and meeting monthly users in Italy since social distancing orders have been enforced. [(Azure)](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/update-2-on-microsoft-cloud-services-continuity/)

22. 417,000 business apps were downloaded across iOS and Google Play in Italy during the week of February 22. As of March 3, Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams and Zoom Cloud Meetings were the top 3 business apps. [(TechRepublic)](https://www.techrepublic.com/article/downloads-of-zoom-slack-and-microsoft-teams-skyrocket-as-enterprises-move-to-remote-work/)

23. Smartsheet, a company that provides personalized collaborative work management solutions, is currently used in 84,000 companies in 190 countries. [(Forbes)](https://www.forbes.com/sites/cognitiveworld/2020/03/09/a-deep-dive-into-remote-work-for-our-future-of-work/#40cb6b2e1843)

24. Slack, the workplace communication tool for messaging and files, now has a valuation of $7 billion. Enterprise video conferencing could be a $10.5 billion market by 2026. [(CNN)](https://money.cnn.com/2017/06/21/pf/jobs/working-from-home/index.html)

----

### The demographic of remote workers in 2020

25. 23% of remote workers consider themselves freelancers, and another 10% reported themselves as business owners. [(Buffer)](https://lp.buffer.com/state-of-remote-work-2020)

26. 29% of completely remote companies have women CEOs, founders or presidents. This compares to 6.4% of women CEOs in all Fortune 500 companies. [(Remote)](https://remote.co/remote-companies-have-more-women-leaders-these-are-hiring/)

27. 12% of remote workers in the U.S are in the professional, scientific and technical services industry, followed by 10% in the information industry. [(Global Workspace Analytics)](https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/telecommuting-statistics)

28. The highest proportion of U.S remote workers amongst job levels were the Founders/C-Level Executives and Vice-President Level at 55% and 48% respectively. [(Owl Labs)](https://www.owllabs.com/state-of-remote-work/2019)



We all know remote work is increasing rapidly. But what are the exact numbers behind the changes? We've dug into the remote work stats to know in 2020.

28 stats about remote work in 2020

Remote work statistics for 2020

![Remote work at PieSync](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/0y10nAN0sRSKvRhvpbr8I/0945bb0efc699b93914394d1dfc5641f/image__10_.png)

Here at PieSync, although we're not 100% remote-first as a company, we're pretty good at working from home.

Some members of our team have worked remotely some or all of the last few years while traveling or living away from our HQ in Ghent.

But over the last month, like plenty of other companies, we've all transitioned into working from home full-time. 

While work hasn't changed all that much for some of our frequent remote workers, it's a whole new world for others.

So how are we navigating the new reality of **being a remote team** right now?

Here's some of the advice from the PieSync team, as shared by both seasoned pros and newcomers to working remotely.

**Our team's main takeaways for successful work from home**: having a routine, creating a productive home office, using tech to your advantage, staying happy and healthy, and connecting with others. Here's their remote work wisdom in more detail...

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### Having a routine

* Schedule in some breaks throughout the day as you would in the office, walking around or grabbing coffee with a colleague. — **Alexis, Sales at HubSpot**
* Decide for yourself what time you are going to start, stop and even have your breaks. — **Sarah, Partner Success**
* Have an affirmative start and end to your day: get dressed for work like you normally would, then at the end of the day leave the home office behind completely. — **Matt, Product at HubSpot**
* Figure out your working style. You might decide it's best to group all meetings together on specific days and leave large open blocks for focus on others. — **Henry, Marketing at HubSpot**
* Have a routine, but listen to your energy levels. Take a break if you're tired or do some exercise if you're feeling restless. Your routine doesn't have to be set in stone. — **Lucy, Marketing**

> Create a schedule with the people you live with. I work in the AM, watch kids (aged two and four) in the PM, and my husband does the opposite. — **Gayle, Go-to-Market at HubSpot**



### Creating a productive home office

* Keep a separate office space at home where it's "all work." You can then leave this behind at the end of the day. — **Asad, Marketing**
* Make your desk a place you enjoy working. Can you add plants, a good light, pictures or even a candle to make it the best space to spend your work hours? — **Lucy, Marketing**
* Avoid going straight from your bed to your desk in the morning. Take some time to get fresh air or some exercise before getting started with work. — **Jonas, Customer Support**
* Music! [Noisli](https://www.noisli.com/) is a great app for mixing your favorite sounds together, like coffee shop background noise, white noise, or birdsong. — **Lucy, Marketing**

<RelatedPost slug="work-from-home-productivity" />


### Using technology to your advantage during WFH

* Keep your Slack status updated with what you're up to to keep your team in the loop and let them know if you're available (e.g. Lunch, AFK, Available, Writing, Focus Mode, etc.) — **Luna, Marketing**
* Use [RescueTime](https://www.rescuetime.com/) to keep track of how much time you spend on work and non-work. You can also use their "Focus Time" feature to auto block distracting websites. — **Asad, Marketing**
* Turn on Slack's "Do not disturb" feature to prevent notifications during meetings or when needing to focus on something. — **Asad, Marketing**
* It’s good to turn off Slack/email notifications after a certain time to avoid getting pulled into work after hours. I also have these notifications disabled on my phone at all times, which saves me a lot of anxiety and drastically reduces the amount of times I check my emails and Slack messages. That’s good for my productivity too. — **Luna, Marketing**

> WFH is not going to be motivating if you just stare at your laptop screen hunched forward and on an unstable wifi connection. I make sure I am on a wired connection and use an external larger display. — **Frans, Sales Engineering**


<RelatedPost slug="apps-for-working-remotely" />


### Staying happy & healthy

* Keep in mind that eight hours at a desk doesn't mean you're working for all of those hours. Sometimes with less time, you do more work with a lot more focus. — **Asad, Marketing**
* Get out of the house at least once a day, even if it's for a walk around the block. — **Alexis, Sales at HubSpot**
* Don't forget to eat! Don't forget to take your breaks! Don't forget to stop working when your shift is done! — **Joey, Customer Support at HubSpot**
* Avoid burning out. Take breaks or quick naps during the day if needed. — **Asad, Marketing**
* To stay connected with others and feel happy, I often listen to music together with friends who are also working from home. We look for a nice playlist or a festival set from our favorite artists and let it play simultaneously in the background while we’re at work. Every now and then we say a few words via chat. It’s a fun way to share the same vibe with your friends or colleagues, even when you can’t be together. — **Tycho, Customer Support**
* Work out in the AM. I'm doing a Peloton challenge with other HubSpotters, which keeps me accountable. — **Gayle, Go-to-Market at HubSpot**

> Be kind to yourself - sometimes you just have lower energy in the afternoons. Read your own body, take the break, take a walk, do some jumping jacks, and then come back when you feel like you're at your best to get stuff done. — **Liana, Engineering at HubSpot** 


### Connecting with others

* Overcommunicate. It's much easier for messages to get lost in translation when you're working remotely, so don't expect subtle hints to be interpreted. Even if it can seem excessive, overcommunicating and repeating  things will probably makes work a lot easier for you and your remote colleagues. — **Lucy, Marketing**
* Be honest, transparent and empathetic towards your colleagues and the people around you.  — **Luna, Marketing**
* Have a ten-minute morning check-in with your teammates, just to say hello. — **Gayle, Go-to-Market at HubSpot**
* Make your remote meetings more fun! In our [Zoom](http://zoom.us/) meetings at PieSync, a lot of team members have been getting very creative with custom backgrounds.


And finally... take advantage of being remote. Maybe it's taking breaks to clean a room of your house, or maybe you play with your dog more, but find the moments that make being at home more enjoyable. — **William, Engineering at HubSpot**

What tips have you found for making remote work easier for you? We'd love to hear them, so [ping us a tweet](https://twitter.com/piesync)!

Over the last month, like plenty of other companies, we've all transitioned into working from home full-time at PieSync. So how are we navigating the new reality of being a remote team right now? Here's some top advice from our team.

25+ of our team's best tips for working from home

Remote work at PieSync

Mailchimp

MailerLite

Aircall

RingCentral

Quickbooks

Xero

![Working remotely](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/2eOM8wieU7DtFAvIEF9A4B/aa9ff0c1a62afe890f253ca558a97ba1/chris-benson-yx-iJFybOBQ-unsplash-min.jpg)

The number of people working remotely increased [by an estimated 159%](https://www.forbes.com/sites/cognitiveworld/2020/03/09/a-deep-dive-into-remote-work-for-our-future-of-work/#6c0035ba1843) from 2005 to 2017. 

In addition to that, a huge amount of people just had to start working from home unexpectedly: we're currently experiencing a surge in remote work like nothing the world has seen before, the extent and impact of which we still can't fully grasp.

Whether you've worked remotely before or it's completely new to you, here are the apps we love for making remote work a success.

From communication apps to tools to help you focus, these platforms will keep your team in sync, on track, and in the best position to stay productive during this new reality.

### Working remotely? Here are our favorite apps for...

#### Communication

With [over 12 million daily active users](https://www.businessinsider.com/slack-daily-active-users-microsoft-teams-2019-10?r=US&IR=T), there's a high chance your business already uses **[Slack](https://slack.com/)**, the hugely popular messaging tool that "replaces email inside your company." If your workforce is remote, Slack is more valuable than ever to keep projects moving and collaboration flowing between departments. 

Slack is also a great way to boost team spirit. For example, with an #announcements channel, everyone in your company can be kept in the loop with news and updates rather than waiting to hear it through the grapevine. Balance that with fun channels like #filmclub and you're sorted.

Another brand that has seen a huge surge in adoption in the last month is **[Zoom](https://zoom.us/)**, the latest darling of remote workers as well as teachers, students and groups of friends. Zoom lets you set up video calls and webinars quickly and easily from anywhere in the world, so it's really handy for team meetings, video conferences and quick catch-ups alike.

To quickly set up local numbers and call anywhere in the world, [VoIP tools](https://www.piesync.com/blog/9-voip-trends-for-2020-to-pay-attention-to/) (Voice over Internet Protocol) like **[Aircall or RingCentral](https://www.piesync.com/blog/ringcentral-vs-aircall-which-voip-phone-software-is-best/)** are a great addition to your tech stack.

----

#### Collaboration

It's never been easier for remote teams to collaborate thanks to cloud-based tools like **[Trello](https://trello.com/)**. The Kanban-style project management tool enables teams to organize and collaborate on anything.

**[Teamwork](https://www.teamwork.com/)** is similarly designed to help teams improve collaboration, visibility, accountability and results. The platform includes handy automations to streamline project workflows and collaboration while also reducing busywork.

----

#### Managing business in the cloud

Cloud-based apps are always a good idea – you can access them on any device, data is instantly synced between users, and providers can release instant updates and bug fixes. When you're working remotely, they're invaluable.

Some of the most impactful cloud-based apps for any business include:

* A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system – here are some of the [best CRMs for small businesses](https://www.piesync.com/blog/the-best-crms-for-small-businesses-pros-cons-and-what-you-need-to-know/)
* An accounting system like [QuickBooks Online or Xero](https://www.piesync.com/blog/xero-vs-quickbooks-online/)
* An email marketing platform like [Mailchimp or MailerLite](https://www.piesync.com/blog/mailerlite-vs-mailchimp-which-email-marketing-software-is-best/)

All of these types of apps [connect seamlessly with PieSync](https://www.piesync.com/why/), enabling your business tools to slot together and your data to stay up-to-date everywhere.

<RelatedPost slug="the-saas-guide-the-tools-and-trends-shaping-tech-in-2020" />

----

#### Staying productive

A favorite productivity tip for remote workers is the [Pomodoro technique](https://lifehacker.com/productivity-101-a-primer-to-the-pomodoro-technique-1598992730), or working for sets of focused 25-minute interval followed by breaks. Rather than manually setting up a timer, Chrome extensions like **[Marinara: Pomodoro® Assistant](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/marinara-pomodoro%C2%AE-assist/lojgmehidjdhhbmpjfamhpkpodfcodef?hl=en)** make it easier to get into your focus zone.

**[RescueTime](https://www.rescuetime.com/)** is one of our team's favorite apps for staying productive when working remotely. The app uncovers where your time goes online and blocks distractions such as social media, news and entertainment when you need to focus.

To work productively, our team also relies on putting headphones on and tuning out the world. As expected, **Spotify** has a huge range of playlists categorized under "Focus", as well as individual playlists like [Music for a Workday](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DXcsT4WKI8W8r?si=vqvKbC6mT0mP1g7Jcg_mEQ). Or use **[Noisli](https://www.noisli.com/)** to craft your perfect background noise, mixing and matching nature and background sounds to get into a state of flow.

**[Coffitivity](https://coffitivity.com)** is another great app that recreates the ambient sounds of a cafe to boost your creativity and help you work better. It's backed by [a peer-reviewed study](https://coffitivity.com/research) out of the University of Chicago showing that "A moderate level of ambient noise is conducive to creative cognition." Start with "Lunchtime Lounge" or "Texas Teahouse" to feel less isolated and more focused in your home office.

<RelatedPost slug="work-from-home-productivity" />

----

#### Putting a smile on your face

Although remote work has been glamorized in the last few years, the Instagrammable "work from anywhere" lifestyle isn't always all it's cracked up to be. 

Working from home can get lonely, even for the dedicated introverts among us. So stay in touch with colleagues using the communication apps in this post, perhaps adding a bit of fun with [a custom Zoom background](https://www.cnet.com/how-to/this-is-how-you-do-the-zoom-background-thing-everyone-is-talking-about/) or setting weekly times for a virtual coffee machine chat. Here's an example from one of PieSync's daily virtual chats with some creative backgrounds:

![piesync coffee machine chat](//images.ctfassets.net/f2ysq090txql/7w6LdDqYJQollOeVRqwKuL/621988d5c5f853bdb5216be0caf0cd98/image.png)


Another common problem for remote workers is **struggling to switch off**. To remedy this, encourage your team to have firm office hours and expectations about when you will and will not be available. When closing time rolls around, shut down Slack, your laptop and your inbox - and make sure notifications are disabled. And actually leave work behind for the rest of the day! It helps if you have a dedicated office space that you can physically step out of when the workday ends.

Working remotely requires doing things a little differently, but it's absolutely possible to thrive – especially with all the fantastic apps built with remote work in mind.


The honest truth: remote work isn’t always easy and glamorous. But with the right apps, your day can be a lot more productive - and fun. From communication apps to tools to help you focus, these platforms will keep your team on track when working from home.

15 apps to make remote work easier

man drinking coffee while working from home

Working remotely

[Active Campaign](https://www.activecampaign.com/) is an all-in-one marketing tool with extensive functionality such as email marketing, sales and CRM. Built for SME's, it provides a broad range of tools such as campaign segmentation, dynamic content, and A/B testing for your Marketing.

activecampaign

ActiveCampaign

We updated our ActiveCampaign sync by hooking into their latest API. What's new? 

- Rules with regards to contact scores are available (greater than, less than)
- Improved sync reach: the initial sync now takes into contacts not part of any list
- More field mappings available! Bounce status and create/update timestamps!
- Contact notes in ActiveCampaign can now be mapped read-only to a text box in your other app

activecampaign updated sync

Updates to the ActiveCampaign sync

Mixpanel is an advanced analytics platform for mobile & web. It helps businesses grow by helping them understand how their users behave and use their products by tracking actions people take rather than page views. Mixpanel's mission is to help the world learn from its data.



logomixpanel

Mixpanel

Our connector for Mixpanel has been equipped with the ability to connect to the eu.mixpanel.com - if you happen to have your data stored specifically within the EU territory. 

mixpanel regio

EU based Mixpanel accounts

[HubSpot CRM](http://hubspot.com/piesync) is an all-round customer relationship management tool that offers an incredible range of features for all businesses, from small startups to large enterprises. This complete CRM platform helps companies increase leads, accelerate sales, streamline customer service, and much more.

hubspot logo

HubSpot

[Available since today](https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-contacts), the HubSpot Marketing Hub features __marketing contacts__ - contacts that are able to receive marketing emails and be targeted with ads. In contrast, __non-marketing contacts___ cannot be marketed to... but also do not count against your contact tier. 

This means that you can now, with much greater comfort, store __all of your contacts data__ inside of HubSpot Marketing Hub. 

The PieSync filters & mappings now also reflect this new feature in HubSpot.


hubspotmarketing

HubSpot Marketing Contacts available in filters and mappings

Constant Contact is a marketing platform, giving your team the tools to create highly effective email marketing, social media campaigns, online surveys, and event marketing. Availability of hundreds of templates and extensive resources will make your lists grow!
Don't have Constant Contact, start your [free trial](http://www.constantcontact.com/signup.jsp?pn=piesync) now.


constantcontact

Constant Contact

We've applied a considerable update to our [Constant Contact sync](https://www.piesync.com/constantcontact). 

As Constant Contact are in the process of refreshing their user interface -  rolling this out throughout the next months - we already wanted to make sure the elements in our sync correspond to the new field and naming conventions. 

It's more than a happy accident that this unlocked a whole series of new sync functionality for you! Custom fields and more!

constancontact updated field mappings

Custom fields for Constant Contact and more

Contacts+ is the most powerful fully-connected contact management platform for professionals and enterprises who need to master their contacts and be awesome with people. Contacts+ cross-platform suite of Apps and APIs enhance contacts with 360-degree insights, while keeping them organized, in-sync, up-to-date, and safe.


Phone & E-mail

Sync Phone & Email apps you use everyday to automate your business and be more productive. {{ connectorCount }}+ Phone & Email contact sync integrations currently available. Click on your favorite app to get started.

Contacts+ Logo Mark (1)

Contacts+

Nimble shows you detailed customer profiles in just a single view so you can get to know your customers in person. Sales and marketing features, activity management tools and a responsive social listening system will make sure you have all the insight you need!


nimble

Nimble

For many of its [CRM connectors](https://www.piesync.com/connections/crm/), PieSync applies ownership automatically, [or at least gives you control through the rules as to how it should be transferred in the sync](https://www.piesync.com/help/faq/can-i-sync-contact-owner-source-fields/). 

Two popular supported contact management tools, namely Nimble and Contacts+, featured a concept of ownership since quite some time, but only recently have we updated our sync connectors for you to control this too.

Use the sync rules to control ownership. Set up multiple rules if you need multiple owners synced with one another. [More info](https://www.piesync.com/help/faq/can-i-sync-contact-owner-source-fields/).


The PieSync Blog

Work effectively

7 ways that small businesses can thrive remotely

Latest product updates

A guide to hiring and onboarding staff remotely in 2020

A guide to remote work for accountants

A guide to flexible working and how to embrace it in your business

The guide to successful remote work for realtors

6 ways to use automation to manage a remote team

28 stats about remote work in 2020

25+ of our team's best tips for working from home

15 apps to make remote work easier