In my role as a virtual CIO (vCIO) I often get asked to assist small and medium-sized businesses with their IT strategy and operations, and one of the key things most clients are looking for is help implementing a secure and sustainable remote working solution.  Getting this right can be challenging for any business with limited IT budgets and expertise, but it is something that your staff are seeking more and more. In this post, I share some of the ways I have helped clients effectively embrace remote working arrangements.

The Remote Imperative for SMBs

Since the pandemic, enabling remote working has become pivotal for businesses to access the best talent, ensure their business continuity, and meet the expectations of employees for a flexible work environment – all in a dynamic job market. However, lots of businesses continue to grapple with questions around ideal collaboration tools, security protocols, policy guidelines and how to actually implement a remote working strategy. This is where a virtual CIO can play a key role – from evaluating technology needs to providing ongoing support. 

Creating Bespoke Remote Work Solutions

Every business has unique requirements based on their individual business goals, company culture, budget and more. When helping my clients to implement a remote working strategy, I like to take a tailored approach:

Step 1: Assess Remote Work Readiness

I start by thoroughly evaluating the readiness for remote work based on the company’s existing tech stack, security posture, employee tasks and organisational culture. This give me a foundation to build upon.

Step 2: Identifying Suitable Technologies

The next thing I look at is collaboration, communication and productivity tools that can work efficiently in a remote setting and enable key tasks to be completed. Preferred tools need to suit the budget and the level of technical expertise within the business. A key focus is on ease of use and integration with existing systems.

Step 3: Establishing Security and Compliance Protocols

Once we have identified the potential tools, the next critical area that I consider is any potential data security and compliance risks associated with remote access. Encryption, endpoint security, access controls and other measures are used to mitigate these risks.

Step 4: Creating Remote Work Policies

Working remotely can often mean employees are ‘always on’ and this can lead to employee overwork and even burnout.  To limit this it is important that the business has some detailed policies covering some of the operational aspects of remote working, covering things like work hours, performance management, communication etiquette and cyber-security responsibilities.  The provide clarity for employees to work productively and for the organisation as a whole. My role is to assist the leadership in formulating guidelines that are aligned with business values.

Step 5: Employee Training and Support

Finally, enabling teams to use the new tools and follow data protection protocols through training workshops is key. I also provide ongoing tech support to address troubleshooting, new feature adoption and temporary vulnerabilities.

The Advantage of Using a vCIO

As an experienced vCIO, there are three key advantages that I believe I offer for clients looking to implement secure and collaborative remote work:

Strategic Expertise: My background in numerous IT management roles provides a strategic lens to create customized remote work solutions.

Objectivity: As an unbiased external advisor, I can assess needs from a neutral standpoint and choose solutions that best fit the requirements of the business.

Ongoing Support: Along with overseeing the implementation, I can provide continuity through training, troubleshooting and improvements to make sure the remote working arrangements continue to support the business and the employee.

Conclusion: Embracing the Remote Transition

It is recognised that remote working in some capacity is the way of the future, and if embraced the right way, medium-sized businesses can reap tremendous benefits. My experience in assisting my clients with their IT strategy and operations allows me to help provide the guidance needed to transition to a remote working environment smoothly.

If you lead a medium-sized business and need strategic direction on how to best implement remote work arrangements, get in touch! I’m here to craft solutions that secure your data, empower your employees, and give your business a competitive edge.