As things stand today, the team here at Enablo are all pretty much digital nomads. We have a small team that’s frequently travelling for work, but even when we are all at our respective home-base, the team is distributed across Brisbane, Byron Bay, Bali, Sydney, San Francisco and Atlanta!
When you’re separated from your colleagues by floors or even by miles, collaboration and communication without being face to face may not always seem easy. Aside from having a great platform like Workplace, there has to be a slightly different mindset for those who choose (or have to) work remotely.
We asked the question, just how do these so-called digital nomads do it? Whether it’s working from a cafe, or the beach, or an airport lounge – it just seems in the nature of those remote employees or location independent freelancers to be productive and collaborative no matter where they are.
We’ve asked for tips & tricks to some digital nomads working from Bali, here’s the top 10:
- Make sure your communication skills are on point. Since you’ll work less face to face, you have to compensate in your writing skills. Make sure you’re super clear in your messages, especially when you collaborate with colleagues in different time zones.
- Use the option to share your screen when you’re talking about what’s on your screen (we are huge fans of BlueJeans here at Enablo).
- Be flexible in your workspace and give yourself some new inspiration: why not escape the office and work at home, in a cafe or coworking space? Chances are high you’ll meet other remote workers over there. Just share knowledge in your coffee break!
- Embrace change and trust technology. Working in a new way will give you new undiscovered advantages.
- Come out of your shell! Be open about what you’re working on, just share your thoughts, tasks and knowledge.
- Be a self-starter. Do you have a good new idea? Share it with your fellow workmates, and just give it a go.
- Be patient if you don’t get a response right away.
- Turn off notifications of work WhatsApp groups, especially in your private time. Working this way will force your colleagues to communicate through Workplace, meaning everything will be in one place, and not disturbing you in your own time.
- Plan your working day. Have a set working time, starting time and end.
- Discipline is important. Out of sight is not out of mind, work has to be done, so be and act responsibly for your tasks.
Special thanks to Digital Nomads Nathalie Walsh (APAC Key Account manager @ Active Network), Damien Forsythe (freelance Business Consultant) Nina van der Kley (IT professional @ Snaphop APAC) and Mahmood Azzuz (Entrepreneur) for sharing their knowledge with us.
