Distributed workforces are the way of the future for many businesses. But what does that mean? Simply that your company’s team is not all in the same physical location. Increasingly, employees work from a variety of locations like coffee shops and libraries. Many companies today strategically choose freelance and contract employees who work remotely, and the percentage of such workers is increasing. According to the GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics.com statistics, 20-25% of the U.S. workforce teleworks, at least partially. There are many reasons that businesses are making this choice.
Lower Cost of Doing Business
A distributed workforce allows you to greatly lower the cost of doing business. Instead of spending a sizable amount on office space, furniture, equipment, and office supplies, a distributed workforce can provide flexibility in allocating funds toward business expansion or other needs. Employees often enjoy the freedom of telecommuting, saving travel time and money. This flexibility in work style makes for happier employees who perform better.
Broader Selection of Skilled Employees
When you choose a distributed workforce, employees are not limited by geographical proximity, or only those willing to relocate. Instead, you can opt to work with the best employees and subcontractors from anywhere in the world.
In many areas, talent is scarce. By being willing to use contractors and telecommuters, you open your business up to a much larger pool of talent, even internationally. Accessing a wider pool of talent also opens a broader range of price points for needed skills and services.
Disaster Readiness
When you have a distributed workforce, your company is much less vulnerable to interruptions from disasters and severe weather. When the worst happens, and a company’s physical location is disrupted, a company that has a distributed workforce has practically no downtime, unlike companies with traditional offices.
Why Now?
Technology today is making a distributed workforce a reality. Because fast Internet speeds are accessible in most places, teleworking is a feasible option for individuals around the country and the world. Cloud based systems allow for individuals to take advantage of software that was created specifically to enhance a mobile workforce. Systems like Halloo allow users to access the customer/caller information they need to deliver outstanding customer service and sales no matter where they are located.
As when managing any type of workforce, a distributed workforce has its own challenges. However, consider the benefits above to determine if a distributed workforce can provide your organization with a competitive advantage.