At Playbook we’ve been working remotely since day one. But for some teams and team members--working remotely is uncharted waters.
So, we've put together some tips and tricks for using Playbook remotely as well as some thoughts on how to make working from home easier.
As always, we are here to support you, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions.
Customer Success Manager: Paul DeLongEmail: pdelong@accuer.com
Phone: 303-859-0052
14 Tips on How to Work Remotely
First here are some things we’ve learned about working remotely in general.
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Be Intent
Set your productivity intention every morning by creating a routine that works or you. Shower, meditate, exercise --do whatever it takes to get your brain engaged for a productive day. -
Have a Plan
Be disciplined and create a more structured daily schedule than usual. Schedule multiple breaks throughout the day, either to play with your dog or take a walk around the neighborhood, go for a bike ride, or a run. -
Location, Location, Location
Find a dedicated, comfortable spot to work that you can associate with your job and leave when you’re off the clock — get off the couch, and definitely out of bed. For those that have a home office, great, you are good to go! For others, this may be a corner of the bedroom or guest room. Others prefer to work in multiple locations. -
Stay Connected with Your Teammates
Find a video conferencing tool that works for you and your team. It's likely you will need access to a video conferencing service as well as email and chat services.If you are not familiar with video conferencing services, here are a few we use:
- GoToMeeting
- Join.me
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Hangouts -
Take it Easy on Yourself
Learning new habits is hard and takes a little time, so give yourself a break. Screen sharing, online meetings and team collaboration are all skills that everyone needs to learn. Take your time, it gets easier very quickly. -
Remember the Meeting Link
Ensure you and your team members have the meeting link! (I for one often set up the meeting and forget to share the link, then have to scramble at the last minute.) -
Give Yourself Time
Give yourself and your team a few extra minutes before each meeting to get your conferencing setup. We find that even if you've logged into your conferencing service several times, there may be an unplanned glitch. Plan ahead and don't stress! -
Collaborate in a Way that Works for You and Your Team
At Playbook we use audio most of the time, so we don't waste time doing our hair or tidying up our desk :-). For some teams video is essential and for others a "you choose" scenario works best. - Manage Limited Seats
If you have limited seats on your conferencing platform, create a generic user for the platform in your calendar and "book" the platform for the meeting time to avoid any conflicts.
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Take Breaks
At Playbook we are lucky enough to live and work in Colorado where there are many outdoor activities. We find getting out of the house is essential. Take a walk. Breathe in some fresh air. -
Treat Yo' Self (for those Parks and Recs fans)
When you need some people interaction, have a video cup of coffee or tea with a colleague. Sounds silly, but it works!Tips on Using Playbook Remotely – It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
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Download Internet Explorer
Make sure you have Internet Explorer on your computer and know how to access your Playbook site. Need a hand - Contact us! -
Collaborate with Your Team
Conduct your daily huddles using video conferencing. Need a hand – Contact us! -
Take Five to Prepare for Tomorrow's Huddle
Schedule 5 minutes at the end of the day to log in Playbook and update the status of your tasks and prepare for tomorrow’s huddle.
You will find in a short period of time, you'll start to enjoy the benefits of working from home such as increased productivity and better work-life balance.
