{"id":8868,"date":"2020-03-23T12:11:31","date_gmt":"2020-03-23T12:11:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/?p=8868"},"modified":"2020-04-16T13:42:59","modified_gmt":"2020-04-16T12:42:59","slug":"working-from-home-no-change-here","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/working-from-home-no-change-here\/","title":{"rendered":"Working from home? \u2013 No change here\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"669\" title=\"Home working\" src=\"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Home-working-image-sized-for-Blog-compressed.png\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-8869\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Home-working-image-sized-for-Blog-compressed-200x134.png 200w, https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Home-working-image-sized-for-Blog-compressed-400x268.png 400w, https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Home-working-image-sized-for-Blog-compressed-600x401.png 600w, https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Home-working-image-sized-for-Blog-compressed-800x535.png 800w, https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Home-working-image-sized-for-Blog-compressed.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/span><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\"><\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-one\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><h1 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h1 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #505d7a;\"><span style=\"color: #f39200;\">Working from home? \u2013 <span style=\"color: #505d7a;\">No change here\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1><\/h1><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><p>During the current coronavirus pandemic, social media is awash with articles about how best to adjust to working from home and how to maximise your productivity and avoid pitfalls.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At B2E Consulting we have been working remotely since the company was set up in 2004.\u00a0\u00a0 This is a major part of our operating model and it has not only made us unique but also helped us to achieve our innovative vision:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f39200;\"><strong>Breaking the Mould.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #f39200;\"><strong>We help businesses to deliver their transformation and change programmes efficiently and cost effectively.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>We are a team of 25 \u201cpartners\u201d (B2E is an employee-ownership trust) and since our inception, all of us have worked from home for at least some of the week, with around 70 percent of the team working entirely from home.\u00a0 In order to help us succeed, we have found that a cohesive company vision has been essential along with using tools and techniques to maximise our \u201ctogetherness\u201d and connection.\u00a0 For example, we recently moved to using OneDrive to share files and software like Microsoft Teams is essential for us to plan meetings, weekly team conference calls and share news.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, some of the informal chats that in the normal office working environment would take place around the watercooler have found a place too in a \u201cSocial\u201d Team thread within Microsoft Teams.\u00a0 Bridging these less obvious gaps missed from traditional office-sharing is essential to the well-being of the team and can ultimately help us problem solve, find the best consultants for projects and feel continuously connected.<\/p>\n<p>I have been part of this team for over 4 years and have never felt isolated or alone.\u00a0 We can pick up the phone for a Microsoft Teams call or message our colleagues on a Team Chat at any time.\u00a0 We also have regular meetings and social get-togethers in our office in London and regularly meet our clients face to face.\u00a0 However the home working flexibility offered at B2E is absolutely at the core of our culture and vision.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, back in July 2017 Nicola Smith in our team wrote a great article \u201cTop Tips for Home Working\u201d.\u00a0 Back then, Nicola\u2019s top tips were:<\/p>\n<p>1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sort your space and technology<\/p>\n<p>2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Time management and setting targets<\/p>\n<p>3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Find other homeworkers and get social \u2013 Okay, definitely good to drop this one temporarily during the current sanctions!<\/p>\n<p>4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Get exercise and sunlight<\/p>\n<p>5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Manage the food<\/p>\n<p>6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Don\u2019t blur home and work<\/p>\n<p>These tips are absolutely still relevant today and you can read more about Nicola\u2019s advice <a href=\"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/top-tips-for-home-workers\/\">here<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p>At B2E,\u00a0 we also operate a part-time\/ flexible working policy and many of our Partners are working mums who have been Big 5 management consultants in the past.\u00a0 We even have an on-call firefighter in the team, with a consulting background, who combines his work at B2E with fighting fires and keeping people safe.\u00a0 This unique and flexible B2E team shares over 200 years of top tier consulting and over 100 years of business transformation experience between us which makes us uniquely placed to help our clients deliver transformation efficiently and effectively.<\/p>\n<p>The current challenges from the pandemic have resulted in some changes in the consulting world. Our consultants are following government advice and largely working from home.\u00a0 WebEx\u2019s and video calls are being used instead of face to face interviews and client meetings.\u00a0 Inevitably, there continue to be project budget cuts and changing priorities but at the same time, there has also been some good news as well\u2026IR35 private sector reforms postponed for a year!<\/p>\n<p>We will all miss some of the benefits of face to face meetings and conversations (many nuances are lost in texts and emails), but these can and will have to be replaced by video calls, Facetime, WebEx\u2019s and Zoom meetings to ensure these important personal interactions are not lost completely.\u00a0 If there was ever a time to update your technology as a business, to facilitate and encourage home working \u2013 it is now.<\/p>\n<p>On that note, following Boris Johnson\u2019s announcement last week regarding school closures, and home-learning starting today, life will be busier at home\u2026but at least with the operating model and processes in place at B2E, I can still work and remain connected.<\/p>\n<p>We want to wish you and your families well over this time and, please do take care and stay safe.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-first\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:30px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1539\" height=\"1529\" title=\"Julie Crawford\" src=\"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Julie-Colour.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-2189\"\/><\/span><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><blockquote>\n<p>About the author, Julie Crawford<\/p>\n<p>Julie is a Partner at B2E Consulting and has been a homeworker for the last 4+ years with us.<\/p>\n<p>B2E is a ground-breaking, innovative and employee-owned consulting company helping clients to deliver their transformation and change programmes.\u00a0 Prior to working at B2E Julie spent 7 years as a management consultant with Accenture followed by a further 7 years in leadership positions for Carlson Wagonlit Travel.\u00a0 She holds a 1st class Honours\u2019 degree in Marketing and Tourism.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":8869,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[110,72,79],"tags":[215,213,214,123],"class_list":["post-8868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-consulting","category-flexible-working","tag-coronavirus","tag-flexible-working","tag-home-working","tag-wellbeing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8868","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8868"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8868\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8875,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8868\/revisions\/8875"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8869"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}