The goal of the steering committee is to help the company structure itself. Specifically, a way that enables it to select the best way for its people to work. Most likely, the demand for work-from-anywhere (WFA) will increase. In the future, more organizations will transition to this kind of setup.
Work-from-anywhere
(WFA) is an emerging form of work that has yet to be thoroughly studied. In it, employees do not have to live in the same location as the company. It’s an upgrade from the work-from-home (WFH) setup.
If you are looking to shift your organization to a work-from-anywhere setup, create a steering committee. This will ensure a smooth and successful switch as the committee oversees the process and makes key decisions.
Read on as we provide elaborate advice on how to build a successful steering committee.
1. Set Goals and Objectives
The committee size should be small. That will help facilitate decision-making and avoid internal conflicts. Each member must understand their role and how it fits into the overall strategy of the organization.
Dibya Gyan Murti, a talent acquisition specialist, says:
“Prepare a strategy for completing work just as you did in your workplace. Chart out realistic targets for you and your team and ensure that the deadline is met every day. Don’t try to micromanage your team members; have confidence in them and provide proper feedback at the end of the day.”
When setting goals and objectives for the committee, keep in mind that:
- The goals should align with the company’s business and strategic goals. This will ensure that the project is successful and stakeholders are on the same page.
- Consider the scope of the project and the resources available. Keep it realistic and achievable.
- All goals and objectives have to be measurable. You also need a timeline for completion.
By setting clear goals, the steering committee can stay on track and make progress.
Do you want advice about gauging remote work productivity? Read “How to Measure Productivity in a Work-From-Anywhere Setup.”
2. Assess the Current Organizational Design
This includes:
- Evaluating the physical location of the organization
- Work processes and systems in place
- Roles and responsibilities of employees
The committee may also consider factors such as the organization’s culture and values and how they align with its mission, purpose, and goals. Based on this assessment, the steering committee can make changes to the organization’s structure and operations as necessary to ensure alignment with its mission, purpose, and goals.
3. Equip Employees with the Right Mindset
How do you build a successful steering committee for a setup shift? The management should consider potential challenges and chances. Acknowledge obstacles and advantages. That will help your team make informed decisions.
Ensure that the organization’s employees are equipped to support the organization’s mission, purpose, and goals. This includes:
- Evaluating the training programs and processes in place
- Determining if they are effective in developing the skills and knowledge of employees
- Considering how the existing training programs and processes can be evolved
With continuous improvement, the employees will be an asset. Once the right mindset has been equipped, challenges and opportunities will be identified. Develop strategies that address the obstacles..
Sh’Anea Crabbe, healthcare business analyst, shares:
“[Getting the right processes in place, and making sure you have the technology to support them] is the challenge, especially for highly regulated spaces like healthcare and banking for example. It can be a costly implementation, especially if you have a digital nomad working internationally. I think there needs to be a balance in order to make it mutually beneficial for both parties.”
Do you want to learn about the challenges faced by modern-day employees? Read “Issues Plaguing Work from Anywhere Employees and How to Solve Them.”
4. Establish Communication Protocols
Communication is key when switching to work from anywhere. Without it, it can be difficult to keep everyone on the same page. A strong and effective contact protocol should be there to ensure everyone talks well. It sets expectations and lets everyone stay informed of the progress.
A steering committee should aim to:
- Develop a clear and concise plan for communication
- Determine modes of contact (email, phone, video conferencing, etc.)
- Relay the frequency of talking
- Understand who is assigned to each type of contact
This will help ensure that everyone is kept in the loop. Questions and concerns can also be addressed quickly and properly.
Ursula Lepporoli, KPMG partner and Global Mobility Services Tax Lead, says:
“This is where the importance of really understanding the culture of your organization comes into play. Does your company need a lot of face-to-face interaction or will Zoom calls work for the majority of the time?”
Ursula recommends taking baby steps if you are unsure. Find where that compromise is.
Do you want to learn about essential communication tools? Check out “Tech Tools Every Modern Business Should Use.”
5. Revise Existing Protocols
Fay Calderone, an employment lawyer, said in 2018:
“Flexible work is indeed becoming the new ‘normal’ in many workplaces. The Diversity Council of Australia recommends (1) Reviewing the components of all team members’ jobs (e.g. tasks, duties, responsibilities, location, timing), rather than just one individual employee’s; and (2) having employees and managers work together to come up with team-based flexibility solutions, rather than managers doing this in isolation or with just one employee.”
These days, a plan for success involves active engagement with stakeholders like employees. What do they want? What do they need? There is a concept of too much freedom. But a successful WFA model can attract a talented workforce post-COVID.
The steering committee must ensure that the organization’s policies and processes are aligned with its mission statement and goals. This is done by:
- Assessing the organization’s current policies and processes
- Determining whether they are effectively supporting the organization’s goals
Revise existing ones to create clear and concise protocols. Provide training on the policies and processes to employees. In doing so, the steering committee helps ensure that the organization transitions in an efficient and effective manner. Moreover, this will promote flexibility and productivity in the company.
By allowing employees to work remotely, the organization can reduce costs associated with office space, increase access to a wider pool of talent, and improve employee satisfaction. Some factors to consider in revising existing protocols are:
- The revised protocols are clearly defined and communicated to employees
- There are guidelines for maintaining security and confidentiality
- Provide necessary support and resources to enable employees to work remotely effectively
- Set clear expectations and guidelines for communication, collaboration and time management
- Provide regular check-ins and opportunities for remote workers to provide feedback and address challenges
Do you want to learn about providing appropriate guidance and management? Read “Effects of Work From Anywhere on Employee Retention.”
6. Assign a Change Agent
Let a change agent lead the shift. They will ensure the goals set by the committee are met. They will also:
- Be a catalyst for progress
- Identify challenges and opportunities
- Implement best practices
They should be passionate about the project. They must also have the knowledge and experience to lead the team.
The change agent must have a clear understanding of the goals and a clear plan for success. They can help ensure that the steering committee heads in the right direction.
7. Develop an Assessment System
Once your committee takes off, develop an assessment system. It can help ensure that the committee is meeting its goals and objectives. This system should provide feedback on the committee’s performance to allow for adjustments. It should also ensure that the committee is adhering to the project goals.
This system should include a review process. It allows the committee to take a step back and evaluate its progress and success. This should involve the collection and analysis of data and metrics such as:
- Project and task completion rates
- Customer satisfaction
- Cost savings
It should also include a mechanism for getting feedback from stakeholders and other parties.
An effective evaluation system will let the committee celebrate successes and learn from failures. It will help ensure that the switch happens in an efficient and effective manner.
For Dr. Gleb Tsipurksy, a management consultant:
“The pandemic has forced leaders to recognize that they need to make changes to manage hybrid and remote teams effectively. One of these changes is moving away from using quarterly or annual performance reviews that relied to a great extent on presence in the office and following best practices to revise the performance valuation process.”
8. Implement Best Practices
Once the foundation of the steering committee is in place, it’s time to implement best practices. These include:
- Setting up efficient processes and procedures, and
- Making protocols for contact and teamwork
To ensure the steering committee’s success, necessary resources and support must be present. All members should be comfortable with their roles in the team. Overcoming potential obstacles is a given. And there must be contingencies in case of mishaps. With the right strategies, the committee can shift to work-from-anywhere with confidence.
9. Monitor Progress and Adjustments
As you shift to a work-from-anywhere setup, you must monitor progress and adjust as needed. This is why the steering committee is so important. With the right members, you can ensure that all stakeholders are represented. You can also address issues or opportunities quickly. You can do this through:
- Regular check-ins
- Progress reports
- Other forms of communication
You need to remain flexible and open to change. As your company evolves, you may need to adjust processes or objectives. The steering committee can help identify any gaps and come up with solutions. That includes:
- Adjusting timelines
- Expanding resources
- Creating new policies
Stay agile and monitor progress. That way, you can ensure that your switch runs as smoothly as possible.
10. Celebrate Successes & Lessons Learned
When shifting to a workplace not bound by physical limits, take the time to recognize successes. Also, learn from any missteps.
Celebrate successes to boost morale and motivate teams to keep up the good work. It also gives team members a chance to share their accomplishments. They can receive recognition for a job well done.
It’s also important to take the time to reflect on any lessons learned from the process of switching. This allows teams to recognize their mistakes. Then, they can use these experiences to make better decisions in the future.
We have written an article entitled “How Can Employers Manage Staff From A Distance.” It explains how celebrating wins at work boosts employee confidence.
Overall, the steering committee aligns the organization’s policies and processes with its mission and purpose. This is done through evaluation, improvement identification and effective communication to employees.
By considering these steps, companies can manage the shift. They can also make a successful and productive work-from-anywhere space for their employees.
Related Questions
- What are the potential challenges in a WFA setup?
There are several challenges that companies may face when using a WFA setup. These may include communication, teamwork, tech, and time zone differences. There’s also employee engagement and managing workload and productivity. Other factors are security and data protection and legal and compliance issues.
- Which companies have embraced WFA?
Companies such as Amazon, Apple, and American Express already have these programs prior to COVID-19. Other examples include Buffer, Zapier, GitLab, Automattic, Basecamp, Trello, Airtable, and GitHub. These are just to name a few WFA companies. There are many others, large and small, that offer flexible working options.
