What We Have Learned Through Corona
There is no doubt that the Corona crisis has had a radical impact on our everyday work. In order to remain employable in mobile working, we had to establish new ways within the company and in our cooperation with development partners.
Proper Tools
Among the most important measures for our productivity are the right tools in the form of software. Communication is most affected by mobile working in our company. Therefore, we use chat and video conferencing systems to exchange information quickly internally and externally. We have had particularly good experience with Google G Suite (Chat, Meet) and with the software Slack.
In addition to tools introduced before Corona, we are constantly trying out new tools to improve our collaboration. For example, we recently started using VSCode Live Share or Jetbrain’s Code With Me in software development to collaboratively develop and discuss source code.
In retrospect, I’m very glad that I decided on a cloud telephone system and other cloud software even before the Corona crisis. This made going to the home office much less dependent on the workplace.
Structures and freedoms
Fixed structures help us in everyday life to stay productive when working on the move. The daily has become the most important appointment of the day. We exchange ideas on a daily basis: What did we work on the day before, what is blocking us at the moment and what will we do today? In addition to a good overview of the current work status, this also creates a better commitment.
But working in our own four walls also meant we had to create more freedom. In the private household, private tasks arise, be it a child that needs to be taken to the doctor, or a puppy that only has nonsense on its mind. Therefore, employees need more flexibility to bring private and business matters under one roof.
Team Spirit
The biggest challenge for us is maintaining the team spirit. There is simply a lack of personal exchange, e.g. during the lunch break. In my opinion, it helps to communicate a lot and directly, e.g. through relaxed meetings and pair programming. We try to plan and make up for the missing time together during lunch breaks digitally. However, this is still expandable in the current phase. A staff survey was also positively received, in which the perception and wishes of the staff in this new situation were addressed.
Conclusion
The Corona crisis has radically changed our everyday working life. To meet the challenge, we have been able to use new tools that simplify our mobile workday. Fixed structures help us to keep an overview of the work status and strengthen commitment. However, we also have challenges such as maintaining team spirit, for which we are constantly looking for new ways to overcome.
What experiences have you made in the course of the Corona crisis and what measures are you taking in response to the new situation?
