4Cs Blog: Happy Employees = Happy Customers

Going international is a huge achievement that comes with hefty benefits for any business. For starters, finding reliable sources for products overseas helps businesses cut costs that come with manufacturing locally. Secondly, finding an international market for products is a big step in achieving business growth. However, in addition to dealing with different cultures and foreign laws, scaling a business to an international level comes with its own costs. If businesses are to grow to this level, then it is necessary that they do it at a reduced cost. Here are 5 ways that international companies can save on these costs.

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the world, workplace disruption is inevitable. Some of the measures recommended to slow the spread of the virus are to observe social distancing and avoid crowded places. In this length, there is a need for organizations to send workers home and to adjust the workplaces to reflect these measures. Managing this disruption has been quite a challenge even to the most experienced of managers. If this has been an uphill task for you, read through for some tips on how to effectively manage workplace disruption at this time while still keeping productivity at optimal levels.

If we were to tell you that the COVID-19 pandemic is an ideal time to measure your organization’s level of employee engagement, you might think we were absolutely bonkers. But some of you out there (that is, the astute ones) will undoubtedly realize this is actually a smart thing to do.

There is no doubt that these are challenging times. With only essential businesses open for face-to-face transactions during the pandemic, other businesses have closed or are operating on a remote basis. 

Those working remotely must reimagine their positions and adjust to the lack of immediate interaction, direction, and oversight that is readily available in a physical workspace. Employees used to an informal, collaborative office environment must pivot 180 degrees and function individually while mastering the various technologies that allow them to communicate with coworkers and clients.

How can human resources professionals and supervisors help their team adjust on the fly? First, they can think of this as an opportunity to create a new normal, where in the world post-coronavirus there remains the option of working remotely effectively and efficiently, perhaps reducing the need for permanent physical office space and its attendant costs, and increasing reliance on emerging technologies. Next, they can implement these six tips to aid in the transition from on-site operations to remote operations.

Technological advancements have engineered many changes in the labor market; workers are now able to work as freelancers and employers are able to set-up remote teams with little to no hitches. Remote working allows employees the much-needed flexibility to work when they feel most productive without needing to abide by the traditional 9-5 timeline. Employers, on the other hand, are now able to outsource skills overseas, especially talents that aren’t available in their local labor market. Remote working also helps employers to save on overhead costs by eliminating the need for physical offices. Remote working is clearly a good trend for business. 

Kaiser Permanente: 10 tips to enhance your well-being while working remotely
 

405 million long-distance business trips are taken in the U.S. each year — a number that's greater than the entire American population. However, due to current flight and business restrictions, and health risks posed by traveling in general, this number is set to plummet. Thankfully, essential businesspeople can still keep their pressing appointments by vehicle, which, if the definition of “safest” is specific to illness avoidance, is currently the safest mode of travel. Of course, traveling by car confers other benefits now that road trips are vastly more efficient.   

83% of Americans are looking for ways to lead more sustainable lives, but when it comes to going to work, it can be difficult to do this if employers aren’t on the same page. Many employees want to see their employer making efforts to go green, but often can’t compromise their paycheck to work somewhere that does. Carrying out employee surveys will help companies see what areas their workers want to see changes and become involved in the process.

CDC is asking employers to do all they can to slow Coronavirus

How should HR, supervisors and managers respond to these concerns? How it might impact their employees and what resources are available to help? To begin with:

• Make sure employees who are sick stay home until their symptoms resolve. 
   
• Encourage remote working if possible. Telework is a critical tool for reducing the spread of sickness by minimizing face-to-face contact, and maintaining business continuity if employees are asked to self-isolate or quarantine. 
   
• Remind employees that work travel must be limited and/or restricted in some cases
   
• Encourage employees to follow simple precautions to prevent the spread of disease.
   
• Strongly encourage canceling or postponing large in-person meetings and events or using video technology instead of live gatherings.

Here are some additional resources for HR:

SHRM - Coronavirus Preparedness Plan

HR Executive - Coronavirus Communications

Entrepreneur - How Business Should Handle Coronavirus

Safety.com - Returning to the Workplace Safely Guide 

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