Can remote working fuel the creative industry?

Near, far, wherever you are - remote working could be the answer.

It’s been a busy year in the creative industry, with the sector’s fast growth leading to high demand for talented creatives across the country. But as companies compete on salaries and battle over job titles, are they missing a smaller trick? With 28% of workers willing to change jobs for one that lets them work more flexibly, is remote working the answer?

Technology has changed our lives - from the way we pick up the food shopping and write our Christmas lists to the way we share our holiday snaps and log our exercise. But nothing has changed more than the way we work. Thanks to high-speed internet connections, lightweight laptops, instant messenger and smartphones, employees can now bring the office to the home, coffee shop or even beachside bar. 

And the benefits of remote working extend far beyond the shorter commute or enviable view. Businesses offering flexible working policies are experiencing significant benefits themselves, including:

• Talent attraction - 20% of candidates would use remote working as the deciding factor when presented with two job opportunities. The ability to work from home is now more important to candidates than enhanced parental leave, travel allowances and professional development scheme - making it essential for attracting talent. 

• Talent retention - Remote working is also fundamental for retaining talent. Allowing employees the flexibility to work from home demonstrates trust, increases morale and supports a better work-life balance. Together, these create a winning culture that employees don’t want to leave. 

• Increased productivity - One in five workers feel more productive when working from home, thanks to fewer distractions and the ability to tailor the workday around when they’re naturally more energised. 

• Increased creativity - Flexible working has also been shown to increase creativity, giving employees the space to think deeply, the opportunity to discover different inspiration and the freedom to work where they’re most imaginative. 

Yet, despite the benefits of remote working, many businesses aren’t embracing it. Instead, they’re worried about distractions, drops in productivity and loss in teamwork. If this is your business, how do you go about embracing remote working without your worries becoming a reality?

First, it’s essential to scope out your expectations and set the parameters in a flexible working policy. That way, employees know how much freedom they have, while managers know what outcomes to expect. Secondly, it’s crucial to have the right systems in place to make remote working work. Aside from laptops, mobile phones and cloud-based storage, you need to consider software for video chat, web conferences, and collaborative working. Finally, you need to make flexible working part of your culture. This not only includes encouraging and championing your remote working, but it also involves adopting a fairer and more inclusive culture across all of your working practices. For example, paying in line with the 2019 Salary Guide and offering relocation packages. 

If you’d like to know more about how remote working can help to boost your talent as well as your productivity, contact us today.