Contrary to popular belief, it is absolutely possible to start a successful IT business from scratch with minimum funds! Sticking up to the basic expenses and making the best use of technology and modern management strategies are the magic ingredients.
Remote work is an arrangement allowing for tasks to be performed from anywhere other than the head office. This work mode offers an unparalleled flexibility for collaborators and allows launching activities with almost a non-existing budget. Major costs related to the brick and mortar office are eliminated, freeing resources to invest in training, development and other critical areas: a cutting-corners solution that eases the introduction and placement of IT startups in the market.
Back to Flexibility though: with the global availability of advanced communication technologies, physical distance is no longer an impediment to accessing tech professionals and IT specialists from anywhere in the world. This has opened up opportunities to tap into a global talent pool, which sharpens the competitive edge of remote teams expertise-wise and allows for attracting and retaining the best-suited individuals. On the employees end, remote work is a trending solution deemed to increase happiness level up to 20% by promoting enhanced work-life equilibrium, as indicate 67% of Flexjobs survey respondents. Victory twofold!
The Role of Technology
It is worth noting that the pandemic has redefined work models via introducing flexible alternatives and leveraging new technologies and tools for online collaboration. As such, hybrid and remote work options became integral components of the professional landscape.
The infrastructure provided by fast-speed internet and cloud computing has allowed organizations to swiftly adjust to remote work. Digital platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom have become critical in fostering an interactive and collaborative work environment, as more work can now be completed on computers. These platforms allow for efficient communication, team and project management, document sharing, and video conferencing. Furthermore, wireless solutions facilitate remote connectivity, enabling coworkers to collaborate from anywhere, anytime. Online applications made it easy to coordinate tasks, assign roles and plan projects among other options.
Managing Teams Online
While managing remote teams can be a rewarding experience, it also presents unique challenges and setbacks that require full commitment from all parties involved in order to maintain efficiency. It all starts with establishing a healthy work culture where employees feel valued and appreciated, professionally supported, motivated and committed to the company’s cause. Cultivating a similarly positive work environment is a collaborative effort that requires the active participation of managers (or leaders in this context) and staff.
Employers modeling healthy habits such as transparency, proper communication, constructive conflict resolution, empathy and staff enablement, are more likely to establish and sustain collaborative, performative remote teams. Here are a few additional online-compliant managerial procedures that nurture healthy work ambiance:
Macro management and delegation: timing up check-ins, follow ups and supervision fosters a sense of trust and autonomy,
Setting realistic objectives helps managing expectations, avoiding frustration, and promoting accountability
Recognize the online-challenges, implement employee-friendly policies and you’re GOLDEN.
Remote Work in Tunisia
The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many businesses in Tunisia to embrace remote work as a way of maintaining operations while ensuring employee safety. According to a recent survey conducted by IACE and EFE, the ICT, healthcare services, and agri-food industry sectors were the most active in investing in remote work solutions, with respective adoption rates of 38%, 36%, and 30%. Despite the pandemic, many Tunisian companies were already using digital tools and platforms to collaborate with colleagues and clients globally, making the transition to remote work a smooth one. As a result, the remote work culture in Tunisia is thriving, and Tunisian employees are proving to be highly effective and reliable in this new work environment.
Long story short, the potential for a successful IT business with minimal funds is very real. Remote work offers flexibility and cost savings that can make a big difference in the early stages of a startup. With the right tools and strategies, remote work can unlock the full potential of IT businesses, enabling them to attract global talent and achieve unprecedented success.
