The future of work is here, and it’s remote. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend of remote work, and startups have been quick to embrace the change. With advances in technology, remote work has become more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective. In this blog post, we will explore why remote work is the future for startups and what CTOs and engineering managers can do to make the most of this trend.
Flexibility and Increased Productivity
Remote work provides employees with the flexibility to work from anywhere, at any time. This has led to increased productivity, as employees are able to work in their most comfortable and preferred environment. It also eliminates the need for a commute, freeing up valuable time for employees to focus on work and personal pursuits.
Lower Overhead Costs
Remote work also has a significant impact on overhead costs for startups. By eliminating the need for a physical office, startups can save on rent, utilities, and other associated costs. This can be a major advantage for startups, as it allows them to allocate resources to other areas of the business that are more critical to growth, such as adding more developers to build out the product.
Access to a Larger Talent Pool
Remote work opens up a much larger pool of talent for startups. No longer are startups limited to hiring employees within commuting distance, they can now hire the best talent from anywhere in the world. This not only provides startups with access to a broader pool of talent, but it also allows them to tap into diverse perspectives and ideas.
Not only this, if locally hiring an engineer costs X, in other countries it may be X/2 or X/3, for one with the same experience. So you could also save extra money only by opening up to other countries in the same time zone.
Improved Employee Satisfaction and Retention
Remote work has also been shown to increase employee satisfaction and retention. Studies have shown that remote employees are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and stay with their companies for longer periods of time. This can be particularly beneficial for startups, as high employee turnover can be costly and disruptive to the business. This is especially true when it comes to software engineers, where onboarding a new developer can sometimes take a few months. Those months are such that the developer is less productive than one that’s already around for some time, so employee retention should certainly play an important role in any aspiring startup.
Preparing for Remote Work
While remote work has many benefits, it also presents some unique challenges. It is important for CTOs and engineering managers to take a strategic approach to remote work and be prepared to address these challenges.
Here are a few challenges:
Effective Communication and Collaboration
One of the biggest challenges of remote work is ensuring effective communication and collaboration. CTOs and engineering managers should invest in tools that support remote communication and collaboration, such as project management software, video conferencing, and virtual collaboration platforms.
Ensuring Cybersecurity
Another key concern for remote work is cybersecurity. With employees working from home, startups need to take steps to secure their data and ensure that employees are trained on best practices for cybersecurity. This can include providing employees with secure laptops and virtual private networks, as well as regular cybersecurity training.
Managing Remote Teams
Managing remote teams can also be a challenge, as it requires a different approach to management. CTOs and engineering managers should provide clear expectations for communication, establish regular check-ins, and provide opportunities for virtual team building.
This means that not only have the people meet in daily standup routines, but also find virtual (or in person if possible) ways for building the personal connection between the teams.
Plus, a big difference between remote and in-office the manager’s ability to see that the developer is actually working. When working remotely, you’re deprived from that ability. But to me it’s for the best. What if they’re just acting as if they’re working but are really on social networks? To me you just need to trust your employees. That alone helps them grow and be more competent over time, and means you don’t have to be making sure they’re working. It’s on them. You just need to measure based on their delivered results.
Finished on time? awesome. Didn’t finish on time? work with the developer to see why, and how you could help prevent this in the future. For example, maybe they needed to raise a flag earlier when they saw they’re not succeeding with something quickly enough? those are questions that need to be asked in such conversations. But be sure to be compassionate and don’t come off “blaming”, that can really demoralize your employee, which is the last thing you want.
Conclusion
Remote work is the future for startups, and CTOs and engineering managers have a critical role to play in making the most of this trend. With the benefits of increased flexibility, lower overhead costs, access to a larger talent pool, and improved employee satisfaction, remote work provides startups with the opportunity to grow and thrive in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world. By preparing for the unique challenges of remote work, CTOs and engineering managers can ensure that their startups are well-positioned to succeed in the years to come.
If you’re not sure how to do this right, we’re here for you. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
