Navigating Remote Work During Lockdown: Insights and Tools from a Consultant

Hi everyone, I have been on Quora for a while but haven't answered any questions until now. Today, I'd like to share my experiences with remote work during the lockdown. I was about to join a US consulting firm in one of the Middle East countries, but the visa and document processing were on hold due to the lockdown in Mumbai and across India. I had to leave my previous job in a Big4 accounting firm in March 2020, and was set to join a new firm in April, but could not as a result of the lockdown. Currently, I am back at my hometown, writing this response and waiting for the conditions to improve enough for me to fly and start my new job.

Understanding Remote Work during Lockdown

Working during the lockdown has made me realize that most jobs can indeed be done from home. Many industries already rely heavily on online operations, but the lockdown has driven home this point even more. Nonetheless, it has also made me appreciate the value of face-to-face meetings with my co-workers. Social interaction plays a crucial role in keeping me productive, and maintaining strong communication is essential when working remotely.

Essential Tools for Remote Work

Our team has had to adapt to new ways of working, and we use several tools to keep in sync and stay productive. We use Zoom for daily calls to discuss projects and check on each other. These calls help us feel less isolated and more connected during the lockdown.

Communication and Collaboration

For better communication and collaboration, we have adopted various productivity tools. These tools enable us to work in sync and manage our projects more efficiently.

Trello

Trello is one of the tools we use to track our tasks. It provides a dashboard where every movement in the task is shown, and we can comment on each drag-and-drop task. This allows for revision suggestions and the linking and attaching of additional references. Trello enhances our ability to focus and collaborate on projects.

G Suite (Google Docs, Sheets, Drive)

G Suite, including Google Docs and Sheets, serves as our file workstation. Our documents are automatically sorted through folders and can be easily shared via email or Trello via a link. This makes it easy for us to manage our files and ensure everyone has access to the latest information.

Airtable

Airtable is another tool we use to track projects and plan content calendars. It allows us to view everything from a high-level, bird's-eye perspective, making it easier to manage our work and ensure that all tasks are completed on schedule. We have found that becoming accustomed to these tools standardizes our methods of working, making our processes more efficient.

Challenges and Solutions

While the tools have made a significant difference, there are still challenges to working remotely. The ease of relaxing at home can sometimes lead to procrastination. To combat this, we use tools and practices that keep us accountable and motivated. Regular check-ins and goal-setting are essential components of our routine.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the lockdown has presented numerous challenges, it has also driven us to find innovative ways to work remotely. With the right tools and a strong focus on communication, we can continue to be productive and successful in our roles.

Let's all hope and pray that the pandemic will end soon, and we can return to a more normal way of working. In the meantime, I remain positive and focused on adapting and growing in my remote work journey.