Only 10% of the public plan on going back to their old ways after the global lockdowns end according to a survey by Retail Economics. This brings a major question on worker’s minds - how will the workplace be altered?1  We’d like to explore the benefits of a client portal (such as Clinked!) when working remotely, and how it can recreate aspects of your pre-lockdown ‘9-5’ office day virtually, from features such as task management to group chat.

Traditionally, teamwork has taken place in face-to-face scenarios. For instance, when completing a project or holding a meeting within an office environment. Nowadays, it’s just as common to find team members working together whilst dispersed across various locations, even countries. Team members or clients can dial in or join meetings virtually. Collaboration on projects does not necessarily have to take place in person with a variety of new technologies in place. In the light of COVID-19, remote working is something all teams have been forced to shift to.  Rather than a few people, now the whole team is working remotely. Hence, the outbreak can be seen as triggering a global workplace experiment.2

Many are asking, "Is there value in a remote workplace?" post crisis. Based on a pre-pandemic survey on the topic the The Ultimate List of Remote Work Statistics 2020 Edition showed strong value in the remote working before. 3

Here are their key finding pre-pandemic:

• 69% of millennials would give up other work benefits for a more flexible working space.

• People who work remotely at least once a month are 24% more likely to be happy and productive.

• 86% of people feel that working remotely reduces stress.

• Telecommuting has grown 115% in the past decade.

The Internet plays a huge part in the success of remote working. When combined with the flexibility of remote work, the accessibility of the Internet, allows employees working remotely to work together as if they’re in the same office – perhaps even with additional benefits, as opposed to being confined to working within the traditional office environment. 

Undeniably, the working culture and relationships that are made from physically being in the office are hard to replicate. However, the popularity of remote work for many has forced most businesses to re-think their ways of working. It is likely we will see a trend in more people wanting to work from home a few days per week, and companies will be investing in new technology to support this. The US think tank the Brooking Institution notes in their April blog:

“The pandemic is forcing these investments in industries where telework is possible, with more people learning how to use remote technology. As a result, we may see a more permanent shift toward telecommuting.”4

So how can a client portal help your team at this time and in the future? 

Software solutions such as client portals have been designed with the end goal of making virtual teamwork easier and more engaging; they can be adapted to suit the needs of individual teams.  Client portal software, such as Clinked, is an example of an online-based solution that can improve virtual teamwork and client collaboration. Clinked offers a large variety of useful features for all its users whilst remaining highly secure. Hence, a client portal is often the necessary solution to enhance your remote working experience; it can complement existing software to help deliver client needs and add to creating a successful, agile remote working team. 

We would like to share 5 features of a client portal that can help with remote working, and explain how internal teams could use Clinked with their clients.

1. Activity Dashboards

An Activity Dashboard provides you with an overview of everything that’s going on within your client portal once logged in; from files and folders that have been uploaded, to conversations that are taking place on the documents that you're following. This way, you can have constant updates on the progress of each client account or group project; including those who are working in different time zones and external organisations.

How would you like to configure the experience of clients and teams in customisable dashboards?

Thanks to the introduction of configurable activity dashboards, you can customise the setup of each group's home page to meet that client or group's needs. Whether you want to show folders, tasks or an event calendar you now can thanks to an expanded set of widgets to display specific content to the group.

Learn more here https://blog.clinked.com/configurable-widgets

2. Group Chat

Perhaps a more effective, secure and timesaving alternative to e-mail is a real-time group and 1-1 chat feature. Group members can have conversations with each other – and their clients or partners – easily and immediately, from within their client portal software and mobile app. Users can have real-time conversations, and constantly remain connected; wherever they’re based.

What makes Clinked chat so unique? Ease the stress of chasing clients with Clinked chat! When away from your desk, you can chat with your clients in a secure and confidential environment that is permission based and auditable. 

Our chat feature is fully functional in our mobile app in the messages area. The new messages area feature looks professional and helps you connect easily when remote, giving you another way to efficiently manage your client work, that is much needed right now!

Learn more here https://clinked.com/features/group-chat/