Enhancing Collaboration and Communication: Optimising Business Internet for Remote Teams

With experience in broadband services and water conservation, Emily guides businesses towards practices that protect the environment without compromising performance.

When not consulting, Emily enjoys gardening and cooking with homegrown vegetables.

The past few years have seen a significant shift in how businesses operate, with many transitioning to remote working arrangements. The Office for National Statistics reports that in 2020, 46.6% of people in employment did some work at home. But to ensure productivity and seamless collaboration, companies must optimise their business internet. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you achieve this.

In this guide

• Understanding the Needs of Remote Teams
• Steps to Optimise Business Internet for Remote Teams
• Training and Support for Remote Workers

Understanding the Needs of Remote Teams

To optimise business internet for remote teams, it’s crucial to understand their unique requirements. Remote teams rely heavily on internet connectivity for various tasks, such as accessing company resources, participating in video conferences, collaborating on projects in real-time, and more. Slow internet speeds or unreliable connections can significantly hinder productivity and collaboration.

A UK survey by YouGov found that nearly half of remote workers identified a poor internet connection as a top productivity killer. Therefore, prioritising a reliable and fast internet connection is essential.

Steps to Optimise Business Internet for Remote Teams

• Upgrade to High-Speed Internet: Upgrading to a high-speed business broadband package is crucial for supporting the heavy usage and simultaneous connections of remote teams. Consider opting for fibre connections, which can provide speeds of up to 1Gbps, ensuring that all team members can work efficiently without experiencing lags or disruptions.
• Leverage VPNs: Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are essential for ensuring secure connections between remote workers and the business network. However, VPNs can sometimes slow down internet speeds due to the encryption and data routing processes. To mitigate this, consider using split-tunnel VPNs, which allow non-sensitive data traffic to bypass the VPN and be directly routed to the internet. This helps reduce the data load on the VPN and maintain faster internet speeds for remote teams.
• Ensure Cybersecurity: Remote working poses cybersecurity risks, as employees access company resources and communicate sensitive information over the internet. It is vital to implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect the business network and data. This can include using firewalls, antivirus software, network encryption, and secure Wi-Fi networks. Educate remote teams about best practices for secure remote working, such as using strong passwords, avoiding public Wi-Fi networks, and being cautious about phishing attempts.
• Implement Quality of Service (QoS): Quality of Service (QoS) is a network management technique that allows you to prioritise certain types of internet traffic over others. Prioritising time-sensitive activities like video conferencing over less critical tasks such as email ensures that remote teams can participate in real-time collaboration without experiencing significant delays or disruptions. By implementing QoS settings on your network infrastructure, you can allocate bandwidth and network resources effectively to optimise performance for essential activities.
• Invest in Collaboration Tools: Equipping remote teams with effective collaboration tools is essential for seamless communication and project management. Tools such as Slack for instant messaging and team communication, Trello for project management, and Google Workspace for file sharing and collaboration can streamline workflows and enhance productivity. These tools enable real-time collaboration, document sharing, task tracking, and efficient communication, even when team members are geographically dispersed.

Training and Support for Remote Workers

Training and supporting remote workers in managing their home internet connections is essential for ensuring their productivity and satisfaction. Here are some additional details to consider:

• Training Sessions: Conduct training sessions or workshops to educate remote workers on best practices for optimising their internet connection. These sessions can cover topics such as securing their Wi-Fi network, using strong passwords, and enabling encryption. Additionally, provide guidance on using a wired connection whenever possible, as it tends to offer more stability and reliability, especially during important meetings or video conferences.
• Data Usage Management: Educate remote workers on managing their data usage to prevent unexpected limitations or additional costs. Provide guidelines on monitoring data consumption, avoiding bandwidth-heavy activities during peak hours, and optimising video streaming settings. Encourage the use of cloud-based storage and collaboration tools to minimise the need for large file transfers.
• Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues: Remote workers may encounter connectivity issues from time to time. Offer troubleshooting resources or a dedicated IT support channel to help them resolve common connectivity problems. This can include troubleshooting guides, FAQs, or access to remote IT assistance.
• Home Office Setup Budget: Consider providing a budget or reimbursement for home office setups, which can include allowances for high-speed internet subscriptions. This ensures that remote workers have access to reliable and high-quality internet connections necessary for their work. By supporting the cost of internet subscriptions, you can alleviate any financial burden and promote a productive remote work environment.
• Ongoing Support: Establish channels of communication for remote workers to seek assistance with internet-related issues or questions. This can include a dedicated IT support email or helpdesk system, regular check-ins, or virtual office hours. Encourage remote workers to report any persistent connectivity issues promptly so that they can be addressed and resolved in a timely manner.

By providing training and support for remote workers in optimising their home internet connections, businesses can help ensure a productive and efficient remote work environment. Empowering employees with the knowledge and resources to manage their internet connectivity effectively contributes to their overall job satisfaction and enables them to perform at their best.