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Disadvantages and Challenges of Remote Work

Jul 08, 2021

Remote work has been a topic of conversation in boardrooms for some time now, but that conversation accelerated in the past year. Businesses of all sizes were forced to go fully remote or adopt a hybrid workforce strategy to keep employees safe amid the pandemic, and while this was a necessary move, it may not be the best fit for all businesses. In fact, recent polling and research show that remote working could actually hold back both your business and your employees.


The Hours Are Longer


Many proponents of remote work point to the countless studies that show employees who work remotely are more productive and get more done. While that’s mathematically true, those same studies also reveal that remote workers are working longer hours than their in-office counterparts: They’re nearly 43% more likely to log more than 40 hours during their workweek. 


There Are More Meetings


Did you know that it takes an average of 8 emails to schedule one meeting? Or that before the pandemic hit, employees were attending about 62 meetings a month? If that seems like a good chunk of time that’s because it is, and it’s been revealed that working remotely during the pandemic increased the time we spend in meetings by 5% — that’s a big jump.


Mental Health Is Impacted


While the pandemic was stressful in and of itself, the very nature of remote working can compound that stress. Working at home alone can increase feelings of isolation, anxiety, loneliness, and even boredom, all of which impact mental health. About a month into the pandemic, 67% of remote employees reported higher levels of stress, depression, and even a rise in domestic abuse. 



Collaboration Is Harder


Some of the best ideas happen during both impromptu and planned collaboration in the office, where the team can come together in person and in real-time. Full-time remote workers have a harder time problem-solving and thinking creatively than employees who are in the office. The issue here? Poorly optimized communication problems can cost organizations an estimated $37 billion every year. 


Building Trust Is Harder


Research shows that it is much easier to build trust and convince someone to do something in person than via email. Video Conferencing tools make it hard to understand if someone is telling the truth, and it creates a challenge for remote workers who only have screens to connect with other team members. Reduced employee trust translates directly to a drop in engagement and productivity.


Gender and Pay Gaps Widen


There’s quantifiable evidence that the pandemic affected women at a disproportionate rate, with many opting to work remotely while taking on the monumental task of caring for family members. To compensate, these members of the workforce could be pressed for time and resources, and find that remote working is affecting productivity. Another alternative: quit working altogether, tipping the diversity scales within companies.



Mitigating Remote Risk


While remote work strategies offer a level of security and in some cases, safety, it’s not a model that’s right for every business. It helps to get an unbiased perspective from entrepreneurs who can look at your business with fresh eyes and assess the efficacy of your current work model. The Alexander Group offers private coaching to help business owners devise step-by-step strategic action plans to take on specific issues. Coaching sessions are led by certified business coaches with proven experience coaching high-level executives.


Private coaching sessions also help peer board members reinforce the commitments made at board meetings. During a coaching session, business owners will be asked about the progress they have made on their commitment to their peer board along with being prepared to present any challenge or opportunity to the board that has arisen.


Our executive business coaching services can guide you through the process to bring your visions to life when it comes to fine-tuning your organization’s remote or hybrid work model. In everything we do, we believe change can be accomplished. We believe that all of our business owners can start by committing to improvement. This process is accomplished by identifying what they can control and their goals in life.


Are you ready to dissolve your barriers, commit to executing, and achieve your vision? Request to qualify for a one-on-one business diagnostic!

What Small Business Owners Need to Know About Email Authentication Requirements

08 Mar, 2024
Have you been having trouble sending out bulk emails and email blasts recently? Are you suddenly having deliverability issues with clients and vendors you've been emailing for years? If so, you're not alone — Google and Yahoo rolled out new DMARC requirements in February, creating headaches. We have heard that many of our small business owner clients and their IT departments are having such headaches.  To investigate this issue, we have leaned on IT expert and long-time TAG peer board member Fred Moore of Moore Computing. Fred has walked us through changes to DMARC and offers advice on how small business owners can get their emails back into the inbox. While DMARC changes have thrown many into a temporary tailspin, the changes represent a move to safer and more secure email communication for all parties. Let's discuss what small business owners need to know about DMARC, how they can ensure their emails reach customers' inboxes, and how to keep their business digitally secure. What is DMARC? Cybersecurity measures are similar to cars: most of us drive one daily, but most are unable to lift the hood and understand exactly how it runs. Most of us rely on cybersecurity measures to keep our businesses safe online, but we may need help understanding the technical elements that keep us safe. That said, all small business owners should have a general background in cybersecurity, and DMARC is a great place to start. DMARC stands for "Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance." The idea behind DMARC is to limit the volume of scams and phishing on the internet. DMARC works with SPF and DKIM. SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a list of services and servers that are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain, and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is a digital seal that verifies the content of your email hasn't been altered or tampered with. DKIM is also able to withstand email forwarding, whereas SPF can not. Senders and Recipients At its core, DMARC validates the authentication of the sender of an email message. When there are deliverability issues with a message, it usually falls back on the sender. Small business owners know the importance of getting marketing campaign emails and other communications into their customers/clients' inboxes; to accomplish this, it is crucial to follow all protocols to ensure you have the best chances to reach customers' inboxes at an optimal place (i.e., not the spam folder), and avoid spam complaints. How does your email make its way to recipients? It follows a basic flow: ● The email is composed and sent ● The sending mail server will add DKIM ● The email is sent to the recipient's server ● Validation tests begin, checking DKIM, SPF, and DMARC policies ● The email either passes, is quarantined, or is blocked/deleted ● If the email passes, it goes through the recipient's user filters and inbox rules

The Costly Mistakes of DIY: Why Small Business Owners Should Invest in Professionals

11 Jan, 2024
Running a small business is a challenging task. It requires dedication, hard work, and juggling multiple responsibilities. Often, small business owners try to cut costs by taking on tasks themselves, even if they are better off calling a professional. While the intention may be to save money, the reality is that DIY can lead to costly mistakes and legal pitfalls. Let's explore the common mistakes small business owners make when they opt for a do-it-yourself approach and why investing in professionals like lawyers, accountants, and general contractors is crucial for long-term success. The Myth of Saving Money Many small business owners believe that handling tasks themselves will save them money in the long run. However, this is often a misconception. While it may seem cost-effective initially, the lack of expertise and knowledge in critical areas can lead to costly mistakes that can ultimately hinder the growth and profitability of a business. The Value of Professional Services Professional services, such as lawyers, accountants, advisors, and general contractors, bring expertise, experience, and a deep understanding of industry regulations. They can provide valuable guidance, prevent legal issues, and help small business owners make informed decisions that align with their long-term goals. Most of the time, business owners don't consult with their advisors because they are wary of spending money on bills from their advisors on top of other expenses. The phrase "You can pay me now, or really pay me later" comes into play in these situations. Business owners should not be afraid to discuss money and bills from professionals with their advisors, and they should properly compensate advisors for their time. Complaining about spending a few thousand dollars to review a $20,000,000 contract can cost hundreds of thousands due to difficult payment and dispute resolution terms.  Protecting Your Intellectual Property Intellectual property (IP) is a valuable asset for any business. Failing to protect it can lead to brand confusion, loss of revenue, and legal battles. Trademarks, copyrights, and patents should be filed appropriately and protected to ensure exclusive rights to your brand name, logo, or product design. How Professionals Can Help Lawyers specializing in intellectual property can guide small business owners through filing the necessary documents and paying the required fees. They can conduct an IP audit to identify and protect essential assets, develop IP protection strategies, and enforce IP rights if violations occur.

What Business Owners Can Learn From Al Pacino’s Locker Room Speech in “Any Given Sunday”

09 Oct, 2023
In the 1999 film “Any Given Sunday,” directed by Oliver Stone, Al Pacino delivers a powerful and memorable locker room speech that has resonated with me for years. The speech, delivered by Pacino’s character, Tony D’Amato, before a crucial football game, encapsulates the essence of the film and the themes it explores. While the speech is specifically about football, its underlying message can be applied to various aspects of life, including business. The idea of fighting for inches, continuously improving, and eliminating mistakes is a powerful metaphor for the importance of perseverance and adaptability in business. It highlights the value of small victories, incremental progress, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. For business owners, the speech serves as a reminder to focus on the details and the small wins that can accumulate over time. Just as a football team must fight for every inch on the field, a successful business must be diligent in managing its resources and seize every opportunity for growth. It emphasizes the importance of building a team that shares the same values and is committed to continuous improvement. Think of it in terms of all the inches and seconds around us in business and how $200 here and $50 there adds up. The whole concept of continuous improvement, eliminating mistakes, and fighting to get better is what I believe Oliver Stone intended when he wrote it. I love it as much today and as when I first saw it and the metaphor of getting into business and being profitable. You can read the transcript here . Or watch it here:
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