Nearly three-quarters of CEOs say the biggest stumbling block to their company's growth is finding the right talent, according to a 2019 survey by PwC. Enterprises that support a remote workforce have one important advantage in the recruitment process: access to a talent pool that's not limited by geographic boundaries.

The global pandemic has forced many companies to explore work-from-home options, and studies are showing little to no negative impact on productivity with a distributed workplace. In fact, it's possible for a remote workforce to thrive with a deliberate, coherent communications strategy that's supported by collaborative tools such as video conferencing.

The Challenges of Talent Recruitment

One of the critical keys to success when managing a business is finding the right people to entrust with responsibilities. One-third of senior leaders say that determining how to get more qualified job applicants is their most significant managerial challenge. It's difficult to find candidates who have the right skill set and live within commuting distance of a physical office. Recruitment searches are expensive and time-consuming. Resources can be better spent growing the company.

Why a Remote Workforce May Be the Solution

When an enterprise removes the barriers of a physical workplace, its access to talent expands. A remote workforce means companies:

  • Are no longer restricted to candidates from a certain geographical area
  • Can make hiring decisions based on the people most suitable for the position and not the ones willing to commute
  • Don't have to persuade candidates to relocate
  • Can offer an attractive lifestyle perk to the 4 out of 5 workers who would pick a job that offers flexible working over one that doesn't
  • Have an opportunity to build a more diverse workforce that brings a variety of perspectives and insights

Productivity and Collaboration Through Work-From-Home Options

Many businesses introduced temporary work-from-home options during the pandemic with interesting results. A survey by BCG found 75% of workers have maintained or improved productivity on individual tasks when performing their job remotely. More than half have maintained or improved productivity on collaborative tasks.

Similarly, Harvard Business Review found that knowledge workers are more productive at home. They're spending 12% less time in big meetings and 9% more time building relationships with customers and external partners.

How Video Conferencing Facilitates a Remote Workforce

A critical part of a successful remote workforce is the use of digital tools that connect employees and support collaboration. The BCG survey found that remote workers are twice as likely to maintain or improve productivity on collaborative tasks when satisfied with the platforms and applications they're using. The survey also notes that tools such as video conferencing are essential for driving productivity for workers in different geographic areas.

Video conferencing ranks behind chat as the second most adopted workplace collaborative technology. Enterprises that provide staff with a robust, secure, and sanctioned channel of communication can enhance engagement between colleagues, customers, and partners.

Video conferencing platforms can incorporate a wide array of features in addition to video, including voice, chat, team messaging, livestreams, transcriptions, and recordings. Some browser-based tools also provide branded links to enable clients to easily communicate with staff without requiring a download.

Attract the best talent to your enterprise and facilitate a remote workforce with 8x8's video conferencing services. For more information and a no-obligation quote, contact us today.