Outages cause inconvenience often, more when one is not ready for them. So what does one do if a power and internet outage occurs simultaneously, one after the other? Although both are different, only the right kind of planning can get one out of this sticky situation. Read on to find more.
Facing Outages in a Different Country with Different Time zones
Although remote working comes with countless pros, the cons are no less. What’s more is that these can get worse, especially if you are stuck in a country where power/internet outages are common. For them, communication can often get lost in between. That’s why it is not only important that you inform your team about the present power/internet situation, it is further important to mentally prepare them, in case you suddenly vanish because the internet is down or the power infrastructure was harmed in some way. In a country like India, power/internet outages are often an expected scenario, but what if you are stationed in a country like Singapore? A backup plan should always be ready, irrespective of which part of the world you work in.
Arrange for Multiple Backup Options
One thing that individuals working in remote teams, often struggle with is creating a backup. This is because not everyone has the same capacity for backup. This can be considered a drawback for remote working, if not managed properly. This is why all work personnel should create backup for inescapable situations such as a power outage when there’s a storm or if the internet infrastructure is compromised in any way. There should be both a physical and a software-based backup that ensures that work can continue for a certain period smoothly. Although a documented backup plan is always advised first, internal teams should also be open to improvised options that cater to the situation as per se. If you are based in the U.S., then you will enjoy the multiple benefits of CenturyLink Internet Plans for these are known for being fast, reliable, and reasonably priced for the average remote user!
Keep Your Device Prepared in Advance for Remote Emergencies
Power/internet outages are usually sudden and take place without warning. In that case, it is best to keep all your electronic items completely charged. Also, make sure that power banks for phones and laptops are also charged and ready, in case there is an emergency. It is better to keep all required materials nearby, such as hard copies of important files or printouts of important documents, so that if there is no internet or the power is out, you can easily work while the situation gets settled.
Visit the Office in Emergencies
If a power or internet outage, takes more than three days, it’s best to visit the office, if a branch is nearby. Or if there is a single office and no additional branches, in that case, if it’s close to your place, then go there. Offices are normally equipped to deal with all kinds of emergencies, so if your laptop or phone has run out of battery juice, you can get your devices charged there and get back to work. Otherwise, it will only end up with a whole lot of missed deadlines and a horrendous amount of backlog that will simply be difficult to manage. Consult your supervisor or team lead to guide you best, regarding the outage situation. Meanwhile, keep in constant touch with the power or internet companies to find out how soon the infrastructure can be fixed in the affected area. Simply contact Xfinity Customer Service Number and be surprised to receive proactive support instantly!
Utilize Alternative Methods to Keep the Team in Loop
Setting multiple backup plans is a more efficient way to make sure that workflow is not disturbed in any way. Instead of making specific individuals responsible for informing every one of these alternatives, it’s more realistic to have team heads reach out to their focus groups and lead. This way, it would be simpler to curb any kind of panic or confusion. What communication tools would be used or what connections need to be utilized if there is a power/service outage in the area should be clarified to all.
Create Backup Tools for Regular Meetings
It’s best to have backup apps ready if the usual ones are not functioning properly. For instance, global outages for various apps such as Instagram or WhatsApp are often experienced by people all over the world. In that case, have backup apps ready. For instance, if your teams are used to working and collaborating with other teams via Zoom, there are times, when it could be down due to some internal issue(s). In that case, the teams should be ready to have video conferencing via other tools, most popularly Skype. Despite the difficulties and the team, not being familiarized with the new setup, the usual session should not be disrupted.
Have Extra Internet Connections if Your Internal Connection is Disrupted
Providing remote employees with just one internet connection is not enough. Especially if the service you use has become unreliable and sluggish with time. It is better to equip employees with an extra connection that offers fast connection and excellent bandwidth, such as the Wave Internet. This way your employees will know what to do if they are stuck at home with an internet outage or cannot go out because there is a blizzard outside.
Wrapping Up
The above mentioned are just some basic measures that small ventures can take to counteract an emergency at work. However, in some areas, power/internet outages often become common due to the constant weather change, in that case, it’s best to keep the management in the loop, regarding the situation. And create emergency timelines, if communication lines get lost in some way.
