Technology has changed everything from how we get around to how we communicate with each other. And while some industries have adapted faster than others, the trend towards remote work continues to gain momentum.
In this post, I'll cover a few of the major changes we've seen so far, along with the key reasons why we're seeing an increase in remote work in the first place.
Why are more companies shifting towards a remote workforce?
Remote work has become a way of life for many workers. According to LinkedIn, approximately 40% of workers now report working remotely at least once per week. That number is expected to grow significantly over the next decade. In a study by FlexJobs, it was found that nearly half of US workers (47%) would consider a move away from an office environment at some point in their career. And for many, the appeal of working from home is a big part of the reason why.
"The benefits are numerous - no commute, no parking hassles, no dress code, flexibility with work hours, etc. As I continue to teach my students about working remotely, their interest is piqued," said Ben Waber, CEO of FlexJobs, to CNBC. "We saw this happen when companies introduced telecommuting 20 years ago and it's happening again."
The reasons for this are many. They range from the convenience of working remotely to the ability to spend more time with the family. In terms of employee engagement, a study from Gallup showed that 74% of employees who work remotely feel more engaged than those who don't. In addition, an article from Glassdoor stated that remote workers were also more productive overall than in-office employees.
There is a misconception that remote work requires specialized skills and software that only highly technical people can benefit from. This isn't the case. With a little practice, even non-techies can start working from home.
In addition, the rise in remote work also coincides with the growth of freelancing and entrepreneurship. More people are becoming entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals and the demand for freelancers has skyrocketed. As a result, there are plenty of opportunities to create new jobs for remote workers.
Here's how the growth in remote work has been affecting other industries...
What has remote work meant for marketing?
Since the majority of jobs are now being done remotely, more and more companies are adopting the strategy of letting employees work remotely.
This means that in order to compete, businesses must take a similar approach. Marketing departments have seen a huge influx of new roles including social media managers, influencer managers, brand ambassadors, content creators and more.
Because the traditional advertising model is changing, marketing teams are using a variety of new methods to stay relevant.
These can range from digital marketing to content marketing, from SEO to influencer marketing.
In addition to this, remote work has also affected recruiting. While the number of applicants is increasing, the job market is also getting much more competitive.
It’s nice to work from home