7 things you need for blended working

 

Virtual office space 

 

 

Some charities have closed down their offices long term or are keeping them open only for limited periods. But staff may still need to attend workplaces under a blended working arrangement. This could be to collect and send post or arrange face-to-face meetings.  

 

 

Virtual office space can be extremely useful, offering mail collection services as well as meeting rooms and other space hire, when charities need them. This offers charity staff an ideal way to work in digital and physical locations. 

 

 

Among organisations to offer office services for blended working is CAN Mezzazine, which specialises in virtual office services to charities. Desk space, hot desking and hiring meeting rooms are available through its services.  

 

 

 

 

VPN  

 

 

Staff working across locations can add to a charity’s security risks.  

 

 

The primary problem is when in order to get access to computer systems such as an intranet or customer relationship management (CRM) system, staff have to make a connection to the charity network via the internet, which is a public network and not designed to be secure.  

 

 

This can be overcome by staff gaining access to the office from home through a virtual private network (VPN). 

 

 

A VPN is software that creates a secure connection between home and office computers. This is perfect for blended working as data using this connection is encrypted before it leaves a home computer and decrypted when it arrives at work. 

 

 

 

 

Wi-Fi connectivity at home 

 

 

There are a number of tools designed to make it easier for workers in a blended working arrangement to ensure working at home and the office is seamless and broadband connectivity is not a barrier to working remotely.  

 

 

Some workers may struggle to get a decent mobile phone signal at home. This can be easily remedied with the use of Wi-Fi Calling. This is offered by all major UK mobile networks and allows your staff member’s handset to connect via an internet connection rather than a mobile phone mask. Calls and texts can be received as normal without interruption this way. 

 

 

Another tool to make all the difference to home connectivity is a picocell, which is a small box charity workers can connect to their home internet router and acts as a local mobile phone tower. This ensures everywhere in the home can access a strong signal. 

 

 

A mesh Wi-Fi system is another connectivity tool. This uses three or more small devices that can be placed around a home to boost internet connectivity. 

 

 

 

 

KVM Switch 

 

 

Often those in blended working arrangements are issued with a laptop to ensure they can work seamlessly between home and office.  

 

 

But laptops can be limited for some workers, who prefer a larger monitor screen and separate keyboard. This is where a KVM Switch can help, which is an inexpensive device that lets employees switch between controlling their own desktop computer or charity’s laptop using the same keyboard, monitor or mouse.  Among KVM Switch products is Ugreen USB KVM Switch and ieGeek KVM Switch, both of which cost under £20. 

 

 

 

 

 

Video conferencing 

 

 

Video conferencing is an obvious, but nevertheless important piece of kit for blended working arrangements that needs to be mentioned.  

 

 

Zoom has become the go to product for many charities and the Charity Digital Exchange has a variety of discounts on one year subscriptions. This includes the pro plan and business plan bundle.  

 

 

 

 

Workflow and Collaboration tools 

 

 

The right tools can help you bring work timetables, task lists and messaging together in one place. This is perfect for blended working arrangements as staff move between home and the office.  

 

 

Asana is among the most eye catching and is available at discounted rates in the Charity Digital Exchange. It allows employers to monitor and manage work and offers that vital one stop shop for workers in a variety of locations.  

 

 

For trustees and senior management Passageways’ On Board is another collaboration and remote working tool to recommend for blended working arrangements. A 70% discount on an annual On Board Core subscription is available in the Charity Digital Exchange for this tool, which digitises and centralises board information and activities, including documents to sign.