An exponentially increasing number of people are now working from home full-time and skipping the office entirely. While this dramatic shift has facilitated a positive global conversation about the liberating, practical benefits of teleworking, it’s not all about getting to work in your pajamas and ordering Domino’s on your lunch break.
For many, switching to remote working brings with it immense challenges, particularly if your industry is not accustomed to this kind of work. One such industry is the sprawling, trillion-dollar financial industry, which employs millions of people in the US, as well as providing casual work and side hustles for millions more around the globe.
It is a fast-paced, intense industry, one that is often social in nature and requires constant connectivity to succeed in. As such, many financial workers who now find themselves working from home may struggle to perform their job to the best of their abilities. However, with the right resources and know-how, teleworking can prove a major boon for your career.
Read this essential guide for finance workers looking to establish a home office that is conducive to the work that they perform.
1. Make Sure You Have the Right Resources
The first and most important step for finance workers is to ensure that they have the right resources necessary to perform their job. For many, especially those working in trading and in the facilitating of financial transactions, a personal laptop will not be sufficient. Busy traders will likely need at least two monitors, if not three or four.
They will require computers with the processing power and connectivity necessary to execute complex trades and transactions in real-time, since even the slightest delay can have adverse consequences. In addition, some more casual traders may benefit from automation tools to help maximize efficiency.
One such example is forex auto trading robots that can automatically scour the markets for currency trading opportunities, using complex algorithms to assess potential trades. Tools like these are becoming increasingly commonplace and can help traders to better manage their workloads at home.
2. Etiquette Still Matters
While it may be tempting to throw all formalities out of the window when you’re working from home, this is not necessarily the best approach if you’re working in a financial role. Many financial workers will still have to conduct remote meetings with executives, valued clients, and even government officials. This means that donning your suit and tie is just as important as ever.
In addition, retaining the strict etiquette and formalities of the financial industry can help to keep the line between work and life distinct, which in turn leads to greater productivity and a healthier balance between the two. Save the sweatpants for your downtime.
3. Create a Workspace That is as Separate as Possible
Although working from the sofa or your bed may seem like a dream after all of those years spend chained to your desk, this is not conducive to healthy, productive work. If you have the means to, try to create a dedicated home office that is separate from the myriad distractions in the home.
Make sure your home office is set up in a way that closely resembles your actual office, meaning that it should be organized, tidy, and without any unnecessary trinkets, gadgets, or general distractions. All of this will help you to remain in the zone and ensure your essential work can be performed with relative ease.
4. Home Office Design for Finance Workers
Finally, it is important that finance workers take some important design principles into account when setting up their home office. Space and storage should be your first consideration. You will want plenty of places to store documents and tech where they don’t cause clutter or distraction. Simple filing cabinets will do the trick, but you can also opt for smart storage items.
Good lighting is also paramount, as this will keep you alert throughout the day and help protect your eyes. Consider ergonomic furniture such as standing desks and adjustable seats, as this will protect your health and wellbeing, as well as contribute to your productivity. Also, a few plants never hurt anybody.
With these simple steps, even the busiest financial services employee will be able to remain productive and happy at work.
