We’re being forced into the world’s largest work-from-home experiment we’ve ever seen.
There are many things we’ll need to adjust as we embark on a new way of working with everyone, remotely. Few organizations feel prepared for large-scale remote work, but we can take steps to make the experience productive as employees and as an organization.
We’ve put together some tips and links below to help each other as we embrace this new journey.
Communicate Openly and Often
- Keep everyone informed
This is especially the case when employees are working remotely and may otherwise receive less information from organizational channels than if they were in an office with their manager and peers.
- Share openly and often what the real impact of the business is
Make sure managers are informed so they can cascade information as needed.
- Candor and two-way communication help to establish the trust you need to make remote-work policies a success
Work Tips
While we are working in a different way these days, there are some ways we can balance being a fully remote team.
A green screen can make this even better!
- Turn on your camera during meetings - it’s good to see each other and we multitask less
- Don’t forget the fun - include trivia or quizzes and get everyone involved
- Virtual Coffee Chats
Set up a 20 minute coffee / tea time. Turn on your cameras and talk about ANYTHING BUT WORK for 20 minutes. This shall be like walking down to cafי (canteen, for our Europe pals) for a coffee
- Virtual Happy Hours: Set up an end of day Happy hour on MS teams
Well-being
Don’t forget that your well-being is of the utmost importance. Staying safe and healthy is a priority.
- Take time for walks or exercise and get some fresh air outside
- Connect with your family & pets
- “Quiet Room” located in Greenfield: Building C (when back on-site)
Elanco HQ now has a “quiet room” that can be used for prayer/meditation/relaxation/etc. It’s in that little nook in C where the badging office and the dry cleaning drop off is. The room is first come, first serve.
- Make sure you have a good ergonomic set-up at home.
- Take an online mindfulness class or grab an app to help you relax
Personal Development
This is a great time to fit in some personal development. Below are some resources to get you started.
- Here are 250 Ivy League courses you can take online for free
- Online Learning: Udemy
- LinkedIn Learning
- Watch and register for a webinar
Things to do with kids
If you need some ideas to do with kids, here are some fun ways to keep them entertained and try new experiments.