2019 has been a landmark year for the RosyBoa team as more and more people have reaped the benefits of our visual collaboration tools. We’ve got big plans for 2020 and would like to thank all of our customers. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The team at INSEAD, the “business school for the world”, have identified the key types of collaboration that power innovation. First and foremost, they advise that design should be a discipline rather than a mindset. Secondly, teams need to work together to learn the specific terminology of their respective departments, and thirdly, they need to choose whom to collaborate with wisely.

The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation in Ireland is setting up an interdepartmental group to govern guidelines for remote working in the region. The move came in response to a survey which revealed that 44% of Ireland’s residents would like to work remotely. The scheme seeks to promote a work life balance by looking at businesses’ current remote working policies.

The modern-generation worker has bigger demands than ever. Many of these demands are driven by technology; for example, younger generations want opportunities to collaborate.   Much of this is also driving new job roles, from heads of cyber security to social media managers. Workers are spending less time in jobs, working remotely and taking on more senior positions at younger ages.

In just two decades, we’re seeing a seismic shift in the way modern-day employees approach their working lives. Twenty years ago, the workday would end as soon as we clocked off. Today, we are connected 24 hours a day. We’re also more progressive, tolerant to differences and more flexible when it comes to remote working. The future of working is remote, and shifting cultures are resulting in happier workers. 

A new report commissioned by Zapier has revealed that sustainability is the sixth most popular reason for wanting to work remotely. 23% of participants in the poll said that the environment was a concern. In the US alone, emissions from cars make up 28% of all greenhouse emissions, leading more workers to opt for the environmentally friendly alternative. Other incentives included better productivity, lower costs and improved mental health.

Motivating remote workers is easier than it sounds. According to digital marketing consultant Shane Barker, enterprises need to remember four key lessons. Firstly, they need to use an open communication channel. Secondly, they should encourage workers to develop new skills. They should continually acknowledge remote workers’ contributions, and finally, they should use collaboration tools like RosyBoa to increase productivity.  

A new report by Tech Republic has suggested that a lenient HR approach to holiday work may be the key for successful remote teams. Instead, enterprises should stop limiting vacation days and allow workers to work together using collaboration tools. HR directors say that “flexibility and a combination of technologies may foster a mutually beneficial work environment”. Items such as headsets, external battery packs and anti-glare screens were all recommended.

Offices with flexible working spaces are the “seventh star” of sustainability, according to Regus. Modern-day construction currently meets the “six-star” building status with a gold standard in green construction, but flexibility could be the next step. Regus cite a study from the Labour Ministry, stating that flexible working allows for enterprises to use space more efficiently, reducing the need for stock and therefore curtailing emissions.  

The team at Thrive Global have shared a few of their tips on how to make the home environment the optimum office space. Finding a desirable location was the number one consideration, with few distractions – such as a room dedicated to work only. For those without an office space, bedrooms can be reorganised to set up hardware like printers, while a window view is always encouraged. The report also recommended working as if you were in an office, to a strict timetable and with regular breaks.