Dan Pecchia, Kelli Hulea and Eric Stasiowski get a lot of work done at their favorite workeries, including (clockwise, from top left), Bistro 1907 in downtown Youngstown, Generations Café in Columbiana, Starbucks in Medina and Mocha House in Warren.

By Kelli Hulea

Not long ago, remote work was seen as an “annoying millennial trait.” But today it is appreciated as an effective business practice.

Professionals who work remotely provide their services at a fraction of the traditional cost and enjoy far more flexibility than those stuck in offices.

Aside from the obvious affordability of this low-cost model with little overhead, there are three major reasons why remote pros can benefit your business beyond saving it time and money.

Remote Work Improves Mental Health and Employee Morale

Freedom to work from their favorite spots — “workeries,” as we call them at Pecchia Communications —  allows remote professionals to dive into their work with a positive mindset.

Working from a bistro downtown or a park bench in the metro parks could make the difference for thinking up an outside-the-box idea that wouldn’t have been imagined between office walls.

According to a Forbes study, remote workers scored higher on a 1 to 10 scale (8.10) than others when asked the question, “How happy are you at work?” because they “enjoy the freedom and flexibility.”

The equation makes sense: the more flexibility one has, the happier he/she is and the better work he/she delivers. That adds up to happier clients.

Working Remotely Increases Productivity

Remote work cuts down on the time spent talking about non-related work matters and the hours spent on counterproductive work, like attending meetings with unclear agendas or wasting time in hours-long brainstorming huddles.

It is estimated that employers in the US lose $1.8 trillion a year in lost productivity due to co-worker and office distractions, non-work related activity on the Internet, texting, social media, snack breaks, impromptu meetings and other distractions typical of old-style business culture.

Communicating virtually with clients and colleagues can allow for more effective time management as email, despite its drawbacks, is less intrusive than live discussions and can be quite efficient.

The above-mentioned Forbes study found that 91 percent of workers believed they could get more done when working remotely, and a Stanford study found that a group of students who worked remotely completed 13.5 percent more activity than the group working at the office.

Also, a study by Staples Advantage  found that 76 percent of telecommuters were willing to work overtime outside the typical 9-to-5 workday, because they could do so from wherever they chose. They reported feeling more loyal to their companies with the ability to work remotely, resulting in their putting in extra hours when necessary.

Remote Work Strengthens Efficiency and Engagement

Individuals who telecommute are good at managing their time.

If a remote professional knows there is a client deadline at 12 noon on a Monday, he/she starts the day earlier, skips out on the morning commute and office conversations about the weekend and focuses on that task at hand without any in-office distractions.

In addition to being more efficient with time, remote work encourages strong client engagement. It may seem counterintuitive, but remote pros always stay connected through their smartphones, tablets or laptops, which are linked to their work emails, allowing them to respond quickly to clients and coworkers.  

Communication and availability are key for remote work.

Remote Workers Offer Far More Than Affordability

Whether they’re posting on social media, writing blog articles, developing websites, pursuing media coverage or creating advertisements, remote pros can execute from any part of the region, state … or planet.

But their connectivity, high morale and engagement can make them seem remarkably nearby.

Kelli Hulea is a project manager with Pecchia Communications and feels most productive with a laptop, phone, powerful wireless signal and good coffee.

###