Pointer Remote - Blog by Caitlin

Pointer Remote - Blog by CaitlinPointer Remote - Blog by Caitlinhttps://pointerremoteroles.com.au/blogs/author/caitlinThu, 17 Jun 2021 07:21:12 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/https://pointerremoteroles.com.au/blogs/post/ensuring-career-growth-in-the-midst-of-a-pandemicImage credit: Pexels Like so many other parts of life that have come to a screeching halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, career growth, for many, has b ]]>

Image credit: Pexels

Like so many other parts of life that have come to a screeching halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, career growth, for many, has become uncertain. Many workers are realising the extent of the delay their careers are facing, prompting career shifts and upskilling efforts so as not to get left behind. Women, in particular, are struggling with economic security and the greater demands of home life, taking on more than two-thirds of the time spent caring for the home and family on top of their jobs.

These career setbacks can make one feel hopeless about their professional future, but there are still ways to ensure career growth despite these trying times. Here are some ways you can start:

Decide How You Want to Grow Professionally

To jumpstart your career growth despite the current slow-down, the first and most essential step is to determine what you’re working towards. Now is the perfect opportunity to assess which direction your career will take, especially as you plan your next steps once the economy improves. While some will aim to move up in their current place of work, others may be contemplating a new role or even a complete career shift.

After clarifying your goals, build the next steps to reach them. This often starts with assessing your current skill set and determining the gaps you need to bridge for the role you want. From there, you can network with more experienced professionals and invest in yourself.

Invest In Yourself

There are many ways to invest in and build yourself up professionally, and one of the most popular ways to do this is upskilling with the wealth of online resources available. From podcasts and books to YouTube videos and online courses, there’s no shortage of options for a professional hungry for knowledge!

Moreover, it’s also important to invest in things that directly affect your productivity. Something as simple as improving your work-from-home setup can ensure that it's more conducive to your professional growth. For instance, a standing desk has been found to boost productivity while reducing sluggishness, improving cognitive ability, and even burning more calories! It decreases the discomfort felt from hours of work, especially when seated, making it ideal for desk workers. But if you’re looking to make smaller changes, then ergonomic accessories, too, can serve the same purpose. Whether you opt for a wrist rest or a monitor stand, the right accessories can help you maintain focus, avoid work-related pain, and reduce stress. Last but not least, try having a plant in your workspace to boost your mood and detoxify the air!

Take Time to Disconnect

Staying focused on your career growth is crucial, but remember to maintain the boundaries between home and office life. Constantly working to reach your goals without any time off can lead to burnout, which can set you back even further.

To achieve the career growth you aspire for, you need to be ready to give your best when it’s time to work. Keep a balance of being fully present when working on your career development and disconnecting completely when it’s time to take a break. Your performance will improve dramatically with a more sustainable schedule.

Have a Group of Advisers

Once you’ve set your goals and have found concrete ways to invest in your development, assemble a reliable panel of trusted mentors, colleagues, and advisers who can guide you. If you’re employed, then speaking to your boss should also be a top priority as they are best-equipped to help you reach your goals. Whether this materialises in the form of stretch assignments or training for a new skill, the right people are instrumental in ensuring your career growth.

Just because the world has paused doesn’t mean your career has to. By understanding how to make yourself more employable despite the present obstacles, you can rise from the pandemic as a more well-rounded professional.

Article contributed by Rina Judson

Exclusively for pointerremoteroles.com.au

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]]>Tue, 08 Jun 2021 10:49:35 +1000https://pointerremoteroles.com.au/blogs/post/heres-how-life-will-dramatically-improve-once-remote-work-becomes-the-new-standardFrom Max Kelly at Forbes A large number of major corporations in an array of different sectors, such as Goldman Sachs, Facebook, Ford Motors and Micros ]]>

From Max Kelly at Forbes

A large number of major corporations in an array of different sectors, such as Goldman Sachs, Facebook, Ford Motors and Microsoft, have announced plans for dealing with the post-pandemic work life. The consensus of these and other companies all points to a flexible hybrid model championed by Google. This entails offering the option for people to work remotely, in the office or a combination of the two. Outliers, like Spotify and Twitter, are allowing their employees to work remotely or wherever they’d like—forever.

If collectively only 20% to 40% of workers elect to completely or partially work from home, there may be life-changing consequences.

]]>Mon, 07 Jun 2021 13:53:39 +1000https://pointerremoteroles.com.au/blogs/post/spark-festival-entrepreneurship-innovation-in-regional-australiaThere’s a quiet revolution in innovation and entrepreneurship happening, with skills, resources & magic sparking across rural and regional Austral ]]>

There’s a quiet revolution in innovation and entrepreneurship happening, with skills, resources & magic sparking across rural and regional Australia - particularly for women in startups and small businesses. And now that working remotely is the new normal, it doesn’t remotely matter where you are as the founder of a smart, digital business.

Jo joined Julia Spicer from Engage and Create Consulting to celebrate rural Australia and the role that women in business and startups are playing to solve some of the world's biggest problems right here in Australia.

]]>Mon, 07 Jun 2021 13:35:07 +1000https://pointerremoteroles.com.au/blogs/post/access-to-meaningful-and-stimulating-careersEach month, the team at Pointer Remote sit down to look at how working remotely, in all of its capacities, has the scope to change life for the better ]]>

Each month, the team at Pointer Remote sit down to look at how working remotely, in all of its capacities, has the scope to change life for the better. Now, more than ever, we’re reminded of the impermanence of ‘normal’ and the importance of remaining adaptable and able to pivot. Join us for a deep dive into Working From Anywhere (WFA).

The idea for Pointer was born not in a start-up hub or an entrepreneur workshop, but at a barbecue.

I was chatting with a friend of mine over a table sagging with burnt snags and wilted coleslaw. This friend was whip smart and had oodles of experience in her corporate career in the city. But she had married a farmer, moved bush and was sitting on a property with no job prospects within a 200-kilometre radius.

As a regional woman who has started four different businesses, often in order to create a job for myself that I found interesting and worthwhile, it got me thinking. How many others were sitting idle, hamstrung by geographical boundaries and far beyond the grasp of a meaningful, stimulating career? The idea snowballed, Pointer was born and then COVID-19 happened.

Suddenly, every man and his dog were working from laptops, forced by circumstance into wearing the badge of a telecommuter. While it has some serious challenges, Working From Anywhere brings with it some gorgeous silver linings; part of which is the sudden access to careers that you love, even if they’re states or countries away.

It’s such a gift to be able to empower people to choose their work, no matter if they live 10 hours past the black stump, or want to live in a particular town or city where their niche opportunities are limited. Remote work offers the chance to live in a universe where direct responsibilities aren’t in competition. Need flexible hours due to family commitments, but still want to progress in your chosen career, or work creatively? It’s all possible.

You no longer have to live in a major metropolitan city, or any spot in particular, to have a career you love. Digital nomads? Knock yourself out. Military spouse? No longer do you have to start from the bottom of the ladder every time your partner moves base. Love the country lifestyle, but want to experience the rush and dynamics of a city start-up? No need to choose one or the other. Enjoy access to your local organic grocer, pilates studio and an ethically sourced almond latte, but passionate about regional business? Thanks to technology and the normalisation of remote work, you can have it all.

As always, let’s take this chat to the comments. Do you have access to a career you love, despite living far from its headquarters? Comment below, I’d love to hear from you.

Work your way!

Jo Palmer, Founder of Pointer Remote

]]>Mon, 12 Apr 2021 10:35:58 +1000https://pointerremoteroles.com.au/blogs/post/onshoring-is-better-for-the-economy-communities-and-your-small-business.-whyJo recently joined Alexi Boyd on the SmallBiz Matters podcast to discuss the benefits of remote work for regional Australia and our National economy. ]]>

Jo recently joined Alexi Boyd on the SmallBiz Matters podcast to discuss the benefits of remote work for regional Australia and our National economy. Check out the details and hit the button below to listen.

In the last 12 months policy makers, regional communities, corporates and small businesses all sat up and have taken notice of remote working. But it’s not a new normal for regional communities.

Part of the evolution of the Tree Change/Sea Change concept is the move towards working remotely. So, corporate does it, government does it, but for once small business has been a little bit slow off the mark, slow to adapt to a sensible way to grow.

Is it because we are now fearful of employing in Australia thanks to our archaic employment laws? Or the tyranny of distance (which is ironic), or a mistrust in internet capacity? Or has the offshoring process simply become too easy and switching back by bringing the jobs, money and employment home again all seems too hard?

Listen here

]]>Mon, 29 Mar 2021 13:58:39 +1100https://pointerremoteroles.com.au/blogs/post/8-types-of-collaboration-tools-w-top-tools-to-use-in-2021From the team at SmallBiz Tools As the future of work is looking increasingly remote, effective collaboration is more important than ever. Successful r ]]>

From the team at SmallBiz Tools

As the future of work is looking increasingly remote, effective collaboration is more important than ever. Successful remote work comes down to having the right tools to make collaboration possible. The perfect combination of tools can make your team exponentially more productive and free your bandwidth to focus on your most critical work.

This guide will cover the main categories of collaboration software and some examples in each category. We’ll also get into how to choose the right tools and the criteria of a successful collaboration.

]]>Thu, 25 Mar 2021 12:02:19 +1100https://pointerremoteroles.com.au/blogs/post/services-increase-thanks-to-population-retentionEach month, the team at Pointer Remote sit down to look at how working remotely, in all of its capacities, has the scope to change life for the better ]]>

Each month, the team at Pointer Remote sit down to look at how working remotely, in all of its capacities, has the scope to change life for the better. Now, more than ever, we’re reminded of the impermanence of ‘normal’ and the importance of remaining adaptable and flexible. Join us for a deep dive into Working From Anywhere (WFA).

Anyone who has spent much time in regional, rural or remote Australia knows the symptoms. For Sale and For Lease signs pop up in shop windows or worse, they stand empty; nothing beyond the smudged glass front but dead blowflies and dried up dreams.

The school parking lot starts to shrink. The footy team can no longer field a side, or find a sponsor with enough spare dough to front up for shirts. The pub struggles away, propped up by a few loyal patrons who still like their beer with a froth. But there’s only so long you can pay a mortgage on a couple of schooners and some packets of peanuts. The main street is long and empty; plenty of parking, but no one to fill it. The Real Estate agent’s window is filled with properties at prices that would make a Sydney sider’s jaw hit the pavement. You can get a four bedder for what?

It could be due to drought, or a mining boom gone bust, or the simple brain drain as the region’s best and brightest are lured away to opportunities that pay better in bigger areas. Dying towns, once epicentres of agriculture and commerce, are faded as sepia as the photos on the walls. As the population starts to dwindle, so too do the services - from health and education to retail. The retention vortex begins; less people means less resources, and less resources means less swag a town has to attract professionals and families.

However, now we’re living in a reality where the benefits of WFA outweigh the costs, this could spell real change for these communities. With remote and flexible work on the cards, opportunities open up. This is not just for those looking for lifestyle while maintaining career progression or banking healthy salaries, but also for trailing spouses - like those moving to areas because their partner has scored a job in agriculture, health or the military.

And, like when it finally rains again and parched moisture profiles are renewed, so too is the trickle effect when populations are attracted and retained. By allowing people to live locally while working nationally or even internationally, outside salaries are injected into local economies and the ripple continues. Young families and young professionals are attracted by the lifestyle and cheaper cost of living, or decide to come home where their own ancestral roots lie. Classrooms swell and local governments have communities to argue for. Shops have customers and sporting teams have players.

And, bit by bit, country Australia thrives. It’s a win-win, as far as I can see.

Work your way!

]]>Tue, 02 Mar 2021 12:55:45 +1100https://pointerremoteroles.com.au/blogs/post/how-to-negotiate-your-salary-for-the-remote-job-of-your-dreams-with-email-templateFrom We Work Remotely Never settle for a salary that doesn’t value your worth. We’ll show you how to get what you deserve the right way in this guide. B ]]>

From We Work Remotely

Never settle for a salary that doesn’t value your worth. We’ll show you how to get what you deserve the right way in this guide.

Be honest - does the idea of negotiating for a better salary make you a little uncomfortable?

You don’t want to come across as ungrateful or lose the job offer, but you also don’t want to undervalue your worth and settle for something lower than you deserve.

This tightrope act is even more challenging if you’re applying for a remote position and may never get the chance to meet your hiring manager or interviewer in person.

]]>Tue, 02 Mar 2021 12:38:49 +1100https://pointerremoteroles.com.au/blogs/post/access-to-talent-for-rural-businessesEach month, the team at Pointer Remote sit down to look at how working remotely, in all of its capacities, has the scope to change life for the better ]]>

Here at Pointer Remote, we believe that work is something you do, not somewhere you go. With more businesses increasingly realising that working remotely is not only possible but at times preferable, we are joyfully helping hundreds of professionals and businesses connect the dots and find work and employees well outside their post code.

One of the exciting components of widening the net when it comes to looking for employees, is the chance for businesses to get the very best person for the job. In fact, according to the International Workplace Group, which surveyed 15,000 participants across 80 countries, 84 per cent of Australian businesses are using flexible working to improve talent retention*.

This works both ways - for city businesses hiring loyal, capable professionals from the bush, and rural businesses accessing talent far beyond their geographical boundaries. This is the opposite of the ‘rural brain drain’ - the age old predicament of country towns often losing their best and brightest to larger metro areas. Now, flourishing regional and rural businesses are able to extend their reach beyond local populations, filling their talent coffers, growing their organisations and in turn, bringing economic prosperity and social sustainability to their communities.

For WFA to be successful for country businesses with city employees, the best management practices are critical:

Upping the tech game. This means solid internet connection and the best processes, systems and programs in place to compliment a foolproof remote working policy
Using collaborative technology like Slack, Asana, Trello and Harvest to track projects, time and KPIs
Regular, high quality conferencing to promote visibility in a decentralised team. With most people now using Zoom for everything from kid’s schooling to wine catch-ups and yoga classes, it’s a technology part and parcel with 2020 life and easier than ever to implement professionally

I’m curious - are you a business in the bush that has found talent in the city, or know someone who has? I’d love to know about your experience - comment below!

Work your way!

* https://www.skymesh.net.au/blog/career-from-rural-australia

]]>Mon, 01 Mar 2021 10:35:58 +1100https://pointerremoteroles.com.au/blogs/post/tips-for-using-email-to-communicate-with-your-remote-teamFrom Stacey at Little Ink Marketing A key part of managing or working in a remote team is the increased importance of communication. Regular and authen ]]>

From Stacey at Little Ink Marketing

A key part of managing or working in a remote team is the increased importance of communication. Regular and authentic communication helps you stay on the same page and keeps teams productive, cohesive and happy. And while email has always been a critical collaboration tool in the workplace, in the absence of seeing your team on a daily basis it becomes even more important to master. So with all of those words and information ping-ponging back and forth across our remote teams, here are some of my tops tips for effective email communication.

Make your subject line count

In the real estate of space where people consume email messages, the subject line is prime property! It’s not only the first chance you have to grab the reader’s attention, but also to convey meaningful information. So make sure you make the most of your subject line and be clear and specific about the topic of the email. Not only does it help your team prioritise the email's importance, it’s also useful for when you want to retrace your steps to a particular email, making it easier to find!

Poor example: Meeting agenda

Good example: For Review: 20 Apr Management Meeting Agenda

BLUF: Bottom Line Up Front

You’re either sending an email because you want someone to know something, or do something. So don’t write a mystery novel! Make sure your first sentence includes your bottom line up front (BLUF). In other words, get to the point first and provide the supporting reasoning afterward. An example of a BLUF could be; “I need your input by end-of-day this Friday to confirm the agenda for the 20 Apr Management Meeting.” This tactic is particularly useful when sending emails as people are more likely to skim.

Share work updates

Regular work updates are vital, especially when working remotely. Keep your team informed by letting them know every Monday what your plans are for the week and ask if they have any questions. An “update email” not only gives your remote team visibility into your priorities, but it creates a more collaborative and transparent workplace. You can also ask your team to send you similar weekly updates on what they've accomplished and their plans for the coming week.

Keep it informal

While short and sweet emails are always best, make sure your straightforward message doesn’t sound uptight or too formal. Keeping your team emails polite no matter how many—or few—words you write can be achieved by some simple tricks! Some great ones are using contractions and the odd exclamation mark, signing off with your first name initial, or simply say something nice like, “enjoy the rest of your week”. No matter what you’re saying, these tricks can improve the lightness of your email and create an instant connection that makes your team immediately feel comfortable and welcomed, even if only subconsciously.

Show yourself

Why not suggest or ask your team to add a headshot to their email signature? Showing your face adds a human element to emails and will help your remote workforce to connect and build better relationships with each other. However, if you’re making the decision to use a headshot in your company email signature, make sure you set some rules in terms of the size of the image in relation to the company logo and the type of headshot to use. Using an email signature generator such as Hub Spot, can do all the hard work for you and ensure consistency across email signatures.

Use a free spell-checker

Even though you probably graduated from school many moons ago, spelling still counts! Make it easy for your team to read and understand your emails by using a free spell-checker like Grammarly. Typos, spelling and grammar mistakes can be a huge distraction for your colleagues and ultimately lead to confusion!

Re-read your email

Sometimes we can get so caught up in our to-do list we don’t take the time to re-read our emails before hitting send. However, reading your email through the eyes of your team will help you send a more effective message and avoid any misunderstandings. Another trick is to actually read your email aloud, as what looks right on the page often sounds awkward and robotic out loud. And surely that counts as one of the perks of working remotely… No one can hear you talking to yourself!

Be thankful

The smallest gesture often means the most, especially in remote work scenarios when we’re working in solitude. By sending a thank you email and letting your team know that their contributions are valued, you’ll increase their sense of self-worth, which will in turn create a stronger, more connected remote team! You can also show your team how much you appreciate them by creating an email “shout out” to recognise an employee or team accomplishment.

Pick up the phone

While this isn’t a tip to help craft better work emails, it’s important to mention that nothing beats picking up the phone! Consider the three-email rule: if something isn’t resolved in three email exchanges or less, it’s best to make a phone call. Or if a fast response is needed, sending emails isn't a good move. Phone conversations can not only be more productive, but they will also help you to maintain a sense of connection with your team and ensure you’re more in tune to picking up any signals that may indicate someone is having a hard time.

By implementing these simple email techniques you can make communicating and collaborating with your remote colleagues much smoother!

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About Stacey