Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, businesses across the nation have had to switch to a work from home model for the health and safety of employees. Now that work from home seems to be the new normal, people are starting to wonder—is work from home destroying productivity?

In short, the answer is probably not. According to an article in The New York Times, many business see a positive trend in productivity due to WFH setups: “Nationwide Insurance sent nearly its entire staff home in mid-March and found the move so productive that it is closing six offices; 32 percent of its personnel will work remotely.”

But despite productivity rates rising in certain sectors, it is true that work from home can feel distracting for employees. With raucous home environments making it difficult for sales reps to focus, part of the challenge is creating a work space that promotes productivity and collaboration, even from a safe distance.

Creating A Productive Work From Home Setup

There are several factors that contribute to a productive work space. For sales reps who are struggling with productivity at home, there are plenty of steps you can take to mitigate distractions and promote focus.

Have a Dedicated Workspace

If you don’t already have a dedicated home office, it’s time designate a space for work. This could be a desk, a dining room table, or an armchair in the living room. Whatever space you choose, try to select a spot where you have privacy from family members or roommates. This is particularly important when making sales calls, since it’s vital for your prospect to be able to hear you and vice-versa. Additionally, dedicating a space as home office will help you get in the zone when you sit down to work.

Prioritize Comfort

If you’re spending hours on the phone talking to prospective clients or researching leads online, it’s crucial to have a comfortable setup.

  • Look for ergonomically designed furniture and accessories like chairs and mousepads that provide support for long hours sitting down. You don’t want to feel stiff and sore at the end of your workday.
  • Consider investing in a standing desk to promote blood flow, encourage better posture, and help ward off post-lunch drowsiness.
  • If your job requires you to be on the phone for hours every day you may want to consider using a headset for sales calls. This way, you have your hands free to take notes and complete other tasks, plus, your neck won’t get strained holding your phone.

Stick to a Consistent Schedule

Maintaining a consistent work schedule is critical for sales reps who are working remotely. Not only do you need to be ready to make and take calls during regular business hours, but it’s helpful to be online at the same time as your coworkers. This makes communication easier, and most importantly, it increases your chances of reaching potential leads.

Following a daily work schedule also promotes greater productivity and encourages a healthy work / life balance. In a work from home scenario it’s tempting to stay late and get as much done as possible, but it’s important to take breaks and have dedicated time for family and friends.

Prioritize Communication

Communication is a must when it comes to work from home productivity. In fact, this is where many remote workers struggle the most—feeling disconnected from supervisors and peers. To help alleviate feelings of isolation, try using an online communication platform to promote real-time conversations between colleagues. Additionally, don’t be shy to reach out to coworkers or bosses over the phone, to talk about sales strategies and goals. It’s always better to overcommunicate than to be underinformed.

Embrace Technology

Video chat and online meeting services like Zoom have created a whole new realm of possibility for remote work. Whether you’re attending a company-wide meeting or having a video call with a prospect, familiarizing yourself with the ins and outs of video calls is a vital part of today’s sales landscape.

Our biggest piece of advice when it comes to video calls? Work out the kinks in advance. You don’t want to be dialing into your first video call with an important prospect only to find your microphone isn’t working!

Increase Your Sales Productivity by Outsourcing

Another great way to boost your internal sales productivity is to outsource time-consuming tasks like prospecting and lead qualification.

At LeadJen we provide outsourced sales development services to help your business grow. LeadJen’s team of professional SDRs is dedicated to selecting and qualifying leads that match your ideal customer profile. Plus, LeadJen’s services are available on a sliding scale, so you can stay within your budget.

Working from home doesn’t mean working unproductively. With a comfortable setup, communication with your team, and a list of prequalified leads to follow, 2021 will be your most productive year yet!