How we work is constantly evolving, so how we plan and manage it must evolve too. Depending on your job, industry, and personality type, you may be more productive working in an office environment or working remotely home. But if you plan on doing both, there are best practices you can follow to stay organized and productive.

 

Read on to know what getWise experts advise for each work set-up.

 

 

The Best Practices for Working From Home or Remotely

 

Set up a dedicated workspace

 

This will help you avoid distractions and stay focused on your work. If you don't have a spare room, try to create a space where you can block out any noise. "Having a dedicated workspace (so you can focus on work, not putting the toys or dishes away first!) and agreements in place with other household members about "do not disturb" times are critical," says Jilly Hyndman, a Coach & Facilitator. It's essential not only for your productivity but also for your mental health.

 

Have a good setup at home and on the go

 

Whether you love to work from home or are always on the go, you need to invest in a set-up that fits your work style. "At home, you can optimize your remote work experience if you think through and invest in an effective home office...If you customize your chair and keyboard to be ergonomic, your body will thank you, and you may be able to prevent pain in your back, wrists, and shoulders," shared Laura Rubinstein, a Digital Marketing Strategist. People who are always on the go can look into investing in a good work bag instead, so you're always ready at a moment's notice.

 

Plan ahead if you're traveling

 

Bleisure trips (or business leisure) are becoming increasingly popular with the rise of remote work. "Plan ahead if you are on the road with remote work and make sure you make all your meetings, even if you are in various time zones or on the road," says Dr. Noor Ali, a Health Insurance Advisor. Make sure you have access to a good internet connection, a quiet place to work, and any necessary adapters for your laptop or phone. This is a must if you're traveling out of the country. It can be tempting to work odd hours when you're not in your usual environment. However, as much as possible, stick to specific working hours so that your team knows when they'll be able to reach you and, at the same time, you can get the most out of your trip.

 

 

The Best Practices for Working Hybrid

 

Take advantage of face-to-face time

 

Use the face-to-face time for high bandwidth activities like brainstorming or collaborating. These activities are best done when you can read each other's body language and energy. "Not only are you able to be physically present with others, but you can control what that environment looks like. You can attend conferences, spend time on-site with your clients or have your team attend a retreat. The hybrid option gives you the flexibility to structure how and where you interact with those in your business, as well as the ability to feel more comfortable with your work environment," shared by Cindy Day, Owner of Triadic, LLC.

 

Stick to one type of meeting

 

"Understand that hybrid meetings are much more difficult to properly conduct than all-virtual or all-in-person meetings," says John Harrison, Chief Strategy Officer of Oratium. "It's especially difficult when you're presenting as one of the remote attendees because you typically cannot see who's attending in person." As much as possible, stick to one type of meeting arrangement - either it will be an all-virtual or all-in-person meeting. If it cannot be avoided, use the proper tools, conduct tech checks before the meeting, and avoid wasting precious time.

 

Don't forget to document

 

Whether in the office or working remotely, it's important to document key decisions. This is especially important for hybrid teams, as not everyone will be present for every meeting. It can be helpful to have a central place where people can find information about what was discussed and decided upon. An organized repository of documents, communication, and tasks will also help a distributed workforce collaborate efficiently across different time zones.

 

 

Overall, working hybrid or remote can have its advantages and disadvantages. However, if you plan ahead and know the best practices, you can set yourself up for success no matter where you work. What's most important is finding a setup and arrangement that works best for you.

 

 

This article was written in partnership with getWise - a technology platform that provides on-demand expert advice for small businesses and women to accelerate their business or career.