The search for remote work essentials has become increasingly popular recently as more and more employers (and employees!) opt to shift to working outside the four walls of an office building.
According to a Gartner study, 74% of CFOs plan to shift to more remote work post-COVID-19.
While remote work can offer many benefits, such as increased flexibility and reduced commute time, it also presents unique challenges.
A common one is finding the right tools and strategies to succeed in a remote work environment.
In this article, we have compiled a list of 6 remote work essentials you should consider when setting up your dedicated workspace.
Why You Need Remote Work Essentials
Whether you’re a digital nomad or an at-home worker, you need the right mix of remote work essentials to stay productive and comfortable as you go about your daily hustle and help you collaborate with your team members.
They range from ergonomic office chairs, lighting, and laptops to wireless keyboards and noise-canceling headsets. They are must-haves in a typical home office setting.
So, if this is your first time shopping for remote essentials or looking to upgrade your workspace, you’ll be excited to see this list we have created for you!
Remote Work Essentials Every Workspace Must Have
1. A quiet and comfortable workspace
Creating a dedicated workspace is crucial for successful remote work.
Ideally, your workspace should be quiet, comfortable, and free from distractions.
This can be a spare room, a living room corner, or even a cozy nook in your bedroom.
When setting up one, here are a few tips to have in mind:
Furniture
This should be at the top of your checklist because it will determine whether you will have a smooth remote work life or a bumpy one.
Some remote workers chug with uncomfortable furniture and complain of backache most of the time.
However, investing in an ergonomic, clutter-free desk and chair will alleviate those health complaints and keep you organized.
Reliable Computer
A reliable computer is the backbone of any remote work setup. Two options usually come to mind — desktop or laptop.
While both are incredible in different ways, laptops are portable, enabling you to work while on tours to exciting cities.
When you’re in the market for a laptop, consider the features and specs of the model you want to buy.
Also, add a laptop stand to your buying list, particularly one with in-built LED light for working in poorly lit areas.
It elevates the laptop to your eye level, so you won’t have to hunch over or strain your neck and back.
Lighting
After sorting out your furniture and computer, the next thing you have to do is choose a good lighting system.
Table lamps are viable options as they use fluorescent or incandescent light bulbs to pinpoint light exactly where you need it.
A popular choice for lighting now is ring lights. Depending on what you buy, they can be clipped on your laptop monitor or come with a separate stand so you can move it around.
Lighting options like lamps or ring lights make your face visible during video call meetings and keep your desk space brightly lit all day.
However, as great as they are, they don’t replace natural lighting.
In fact, 47% of employees admit they are more productive in the presence of natural light and outdoor views.
So, make sure your home office is well-ventilated too.
2. Computer Accessories
You can streamline workflow using your computer by adding accessories to your office desk.
Here are the important ones to note:
External Hard Drive
Having a backup plan is good if your computer crashes or breaks down.
Sure, cloud storage solutions like Dropbox or Google Drive provide just that.
But it’s even better to have a second backup plan in the shape of an external hard drive, especially if you’re dealing with multiple files and a large chunk of information.
Cordless Keyboard and Mouse
Unless you’re using a Mac, chances are your input peripherals are wired to a unit, which can be pretty frustrating if you’re using a laptop.
Opting for a cordless keyboard and mouse makes sense since both allow you to move to any spot easily and declutter your desk space for a more organized setting.
Noise-canceling headsets
If you live in a hustle-and-bustle district or work often in public places like cafes, then getting yourself a pair of noise-canceling headsets is very important.
Noise is the last thing you want in your remote work life as it could distract you and infiltrate your group calls or video conferences. So, you can completely shut it out with noise-resistant headphones and earbuds.
Others include:
- Quality speakers
- 1080p Webcam
- Surge protector
- Power bank
3. High-speed internet connection
When working remotely, a reliable internet connection is essential.
You need to be able to connect with your colleagues, access important files and documents, and attend video conferences without interruption.
If your internet connection is slow or unstable, it can lead to frustration and lost productivity.
So, ensure you have a reliable and fast internet service provider and a router.
Oh, and regarding routers, you should upgrade to newer ones that use 802.11ax protocol or WiFi 6 for a seamless network connection.
But if where you work in the house is far from the router, then you should go for a WiFi range extender.
Lastly, consider investing in a backup internet connection or hotspot in emergencies.
4. Video Conferencing Tools
In the remote world, meetings or conferences are held over the internet with the help of video conferencing tools like Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet.
These are essential for you to communicate face-to-face with your colleagues, clients, and customers.
If you’re working with a desktop, buy a high-quality webcam and microphone separately to ensure a clear and professional video conferencing experience.
5. Collaboration and Project Management Tools
Whether you want to collaborate with a team or are tasked with managing a distributed team, collaboration and project management tools are the ideal remote work essentials you should look at.
This is a given, considering they are specially-designed software with integrated features that allow you to gauge work progress.
With tools like virtual whiteboards, Asana, Trello, and Slack, you can effectively communicate with your team, set clear expectations, and keep track of tasks and deadlines to ensure projects are completed in real-time.
6. Other Add-ons
Now that you have most of the remote work essentials, adding finishing touches to your home office with office plants and a mini stationery set before you get down to business is important.
Jade, ivy, and bamboo plants are easy to maintain and naturally filter the air for a healthy work environment.
And with stationery items like pencils, paper clips, markers, and so on, you are more organized and will get most things done quickly.
FAQs About Remote Work Essentials
Which two tools are most useful to remote employees and coworkers?
Video conferencing (Zoom, Skype, & Microsoft Teams) and Collaboration (Trello, Slack & Asana) tools.
They are essential since they help a remote team to participate in virtual meetings, collaborate, and keep track of progress to increase productivity.
What are the three essential characteristics of working remotely?
Most employers look for three essential characteristics in their remote employees: good communication, organizational skills, and assertiveness.
Is it healthy to work remotely?
Well, that depends on your definition of ‘healthy.’ But suppose you want to earn money while living a flexible lifestyle without commuting daily. In that case, remote work is the best alternative for you.
Remote Work Essentials – Final Thoughts
In conclusion, remote work has become a necessary and practical solution for many employees and employers around the world.
As more people embrace this new work culture, having the right tools and mindset becomes essential to succeed.
With the help of the essentials mentioned in this article, remote workers can create a productive and efficient home office, stay connected with their colleagues, and effectively balance their work and personal life.
Remote work is not just a temporary solution; it is a new way of working that is here to stay, and it is up to us to adapt and make the most of it.
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