The remote work revolution you all were waiting for is finally here and going to stay! The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way people work, and although remote work was never an alien concept, it has not been adopted as a permanent work solution until now. And guess what? Women are leading the charge! They are reshaping tech trends and also handling remote working responsibilities effectively.
But juggling professional responsibilities and household chores comes with its set of unique challenges. The challenges are twofold in a remote setup. However, there’s nothing to fear because we bring to you a treasure trove of tech hacks designed to empower women in the remote workplace. Let’s go!
Communication And Collaboration Hacks
- Augment Your Video Conferencing
In remote work settings, video calls are a mainstay. Ensure you have a professional presence by using virtual backgrounds offered by Microsoft Teams or Zoom. To fully utilize the capabilities of video conference technology, you must know how to access the camera on your laptop.
For instance, if you are a Mac user, here’s how to access camera on Mac – go to the Finder > click Go > select Applications > locate the video conferencing app and select it > if there’s a green light next to the camera lens, it means your camera is turned on. Please note that only one application can use the Mac camera at a time.
So, choose your preferred video conferencing app and make sure your camera is working before joining a meeting.
- Silence The Distracting Notifications
Constant app and email notifications can cripple your focus. You can use Do Not Disturb or Focus modes on your devices to silence the notification avalanche during specific times during the day.
- Opt For Collaborative Documents
Those days of endless email exchanges are long gone. Welcome platforms like Microsoft Word Online or Google Docs that allow real-time co-editing. Thanks to these platforms, your entire team can work on the latest version in real time. It is easier to track changes. Also, these platforms offer built-in chat features so you can communicate with your team within the document itself.
- Utilize The Magic of Instant Messaging
Microsoft Teams and Slack are lifesavers when it comes to having a quick chat with colleagues. These tools even allow you to create project-specific channels so you can share files with the right team and engage in real-time conversations.
Control Your Tech Ecosystem
Having the right remote working setup is the answer to finishing tasks quicker so you can focus on your family life. Here’s what you need to tame your tech ecosystem:
- Leverage The Power of Dual or Multiple Monitors
There’s no need to constantly juggle between windows because you can easily get a second monitor and improve your visual workspace. If you are a Mac user and have an iPad, you don’t even need to invest in a second monitor. You can use the Sidecar feature to use your iPad as a second display for your Mac.
Once you have two monitors, you can open spreadsheets on one screen and video call on another.
- Invest In Noise-Canceling Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones are a game-changer. They can eliminate distractions and help you focus. Whether it is a noisy neighbor, a barking dog, or the hum of household appliances, these headphones will help create a peaceful work zone.
- Embrace Cloud Storage
When working remotely, cloud storage is your best friend. You can store presentations, documents, and project files on cloud platforms like iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive. This ensures seamless access from any device.
- Utilize Project Management Apps
Organization drives remote work. Trello, Asana, and Monday.com are a few of the project management tools you can use to create shared task lists and set deadlines. These tools even allow you to track progress and seamlessly collaborate with your colleagues.
- Embrace Time Management Apps
When working from home, managing time becomes a challenge. This is especially true for women juggling their professional and personal lives. To ensure you are maintaining a healthy work-life balance, you can utilize tools like Toggl Track and RescueTime. These tools help you track time spent on different tasks and identify areas for improvement.
- Use The Power of Automation
IFTTT or Zapier are automation tools that can automate repetitive tasks and make remote working easier for you. For example, you can use these tools to automatically send follow-up emails after meetings. By automating mundane tasks, you will free yourself up to focus on higher-level work.
Summing Up
Being a woman in the remote workplace is a challenge, especially if you have a family to look after. But the trick is to make technology work for you so you can thrive in this dynamic world and easily manage your professional and family life.
Embrace the tech hacks mentioned above and watch your remote career soar. You can do it!
