Zhibek Serik | 13.10.2024
Adapting to Change: The Impact of Remote Work on Kazakhstan’s Business Landscape
The COVID-19 pandemic forced Kazakhstan to transition to remote work, and the pattern of business operations has changed. The advantages of this new pattern include flexibility in enabling workers to balance work and family commitments with ease. It also allows proper time and schedule management, especially in cultures where family is one of the mainstays of society.
It saves overheads, especially for those firms that need to shrink office spaces in cities such as Almaty and Nur-Sultan, which may be quite expensive. Downsizing offices enables the company to invest more resources into the employees' growth and technology. With virtual jobs, exposure to a company's talent pool across the nation especially in short supply areas like IT and engineering can finally be available. Being out of the office enhances the productivity level of many Kazakhstani staff; this is how companies like Kcell derive better outputs from some in the quiet of their homes.
The challenge with a virtual environment is that communication barriers and feelings of isolation may be felt. Without face-to-face interaction, teams may experience conflicts in working together. Kazakhstani businesses will have to think of innovative ways of maintaining communication and keeping their employees connected while working remotely. This means Kazakhstani companies will have to invest in technologies that enable these firms to effectively collaborate and connect remotely. Slack, Zoom, and Trello are exemplary productivity enhancement tools and workflow efficiencies. Become an advocate for open communication, hold opportunities for virtual team-building activities, and make sure expectations about the staff are crystal clear. Regular check-in may go a long way in keeping your workforce connected and productive.
It saves overheads, especially for those firms that need to shrink office spaces in cities such as Almaty and Nur-Sultan, which may be quite expensive. Downsizing offices enables the company to invest more resources into the employees' growth and technology. With virtual jobs, exposure to a company's talent pool across the nation especially in short supply areas like IT and engineering can finally be available. Being out of the office enhances the productivity level of many Kazakhstani staff; this is how companies like Kcell derive better outputs from some in the quiet of their homes.
The challenge with a virtual environment is that communication barriers and feelings of isolation may be felt. Without face-to-face interaction, teams may experience conflicts in working together. Kazakhstani businesses will have to think of innovative ways of maintaining communication and keeping their employees connected while working remotely. This means Kazakhstani companies will have to invest in technologies that enable these firms to effectively collaborate and connect remotely. Slack, Zoom, and Trello are exemplary productivity enhancement tools and workflow efficiencies. Become an advocate for open communication, hold opportunities for virtual team-building activities, and make sure expectations about the staff are crystal clear. Regular check-in may go a long way in keeping your workforce connected and productive.
Promotion of work-life balance and good care for one's mental health is also critical in sustaining a healthy workforce. An organization can provide counseling services or wellness programs that will help employees deal with stress and maintain their mental health. This, therefore, will only leave the companies that heed the change and successfully deal with the challenges brought about by working from home to be better positioned to go well in the long term. Given an adequate strategy that focuses on employees' well-being, remote work can boost productivity and job satisfaction in the ever-evolving Kazakh business landscape.
