In this era of a high technology, face to face meeting are no longer an option for many people. Working remotely during this pandemic time does provide us with the opportunity to reflect on how the best leaders succeed in virtual environments. By working from home and communicating via digital like Slack, Zoom, Webex and Google meet is not new. Many would argue that leading a virtual team requires the same leadership skills and attributes as leading a traditional team but is that really the case? While the key fundamentals of leadership hold true in both cases, virtual leadership scenarios offer unique and significant challenges. Communications Effective communication is a key for success. Although leaders and team members are not in the same geographic location and cannot have a face-to-face conversation. The guideline for communicating must set early with the team. By schedule up the virtual meeting time, date and which mode of communication to use for the meeting. Another component of communication is the frequency of discussions. It is the leader’s responsibility to keep everyone on the same page and to check in often. Team building When building virtual relationships with team members, relationships are built at the individual level. A virtual leader must be willing to make themselves accessible and available to their team members. The team building activities by virtual can be personal attention by the team members acknowledge birthdays, anniversaries, successes, and other achievements important to the individual. This establishes trust and helps promote engagement and synergy. Support As a virtual leader you need to understand that working in virtual environment can make the team member lonely. They will not have the same energy, mood and productivity to finish up the task that given to them. As a virtual leader it is very important to know how the team member is emotional doing and provide all your support to them. Another type of support that will be necessary involves the work that team members perform.

During this pandemic time, it’s very clear that people are frightened and businesses are preparing for down-side scenarios. This Covid-19 is an option to observed on how good and bad the leadership on managing the team. The leader’s primary responsibility is to keep the team safe, cohesive and productive. This is the time for leaders to step up and help people manage their own fears and panic and thrive as best as they can. Resilient leaders may be the last defense in holding the line on business goals as well as the safety and well-being of their employees. Keep Your Emotions in Check This Covid-19 become as a “future threat” where its driving the global to live in this extreme state of uncertainty. However, as leaders in the organization, you set the tone. As a leader be updated with the situation but keep your panic in private. It will help confine your worries to appropriate times and places without risking the morale of your people. In this time the leaders try to provide the accurate and up to date information to the team with include some positive vibes of message. The positive message can be very helpful especially for the employees who working remotely during this pandemic time. Be Honest, Empathetic, Clear And Simple Communicating well includes not being a victim of panic or hype and laying out clear actions for what to do and when. It is so important and because we live in an era of rapid dissemination of information that is of questionable veracity, from multiple sources. Your people want to hear that you have a plan in place. Determine the steps before you share them, and make sure they are ones you can deliver on. Empower Your Team The most important thing encourage, empowerment, and self-care. Make tools to help your team stay flexible, out of danger, and encourage a sense of teamwork and collaboration, even if quarantined or working remotely for a prolonged period. In these times of uncertainty of the future the team mighty forget or ignore the most fundamental self-care. As a leader remind your team to take care and make adjustments to work out at home. The situation facing now may not able to control the outcome but can control the response to it.

With countries accounting for more than half of global is in lock down the collapse of commercial activity is unprecedented. During the crisis, most companies will inadvertently let down some of their most important customers. While personal journeys and relationships with individual companies will differ, the pandemic will result in some changes. After taking temporary measures and expedients to continue operating during the pandemic, companies must now develop plans for what happens after COVID-19. Company culture and the team factor  A crisis can push people apart, with individuals distrusting one another and predominantly looking after themselves. The decision to retain all or most of your employees can bring them together and generate a collective spirit of endurance during the pandemic. How prepared the company to deal with the cultural apart? The answer will be on the achievement of your company after the pandemic. Conduct your financial analysis How prepared was your organization to deal with the crisis? Work with your finance team or accountant to compare expected cash flow with the loaded cost of paying salaries and benefits for your team. Run best and worst-case scenarios for the coming months, plugging in a range of moderate to aggressive percentages for wage cuts. Plans and projects Are you ready and able to accomplish the projects you have outlined? Plan and execute new initiatives and projects that you could not do in the past or that you have to develop for the new normal. Prioritize and coordinate new initiatives that will future proof the organization and take advantage of the ability of a team that allows you to take a long view and plan long-term scenarios. Customer service and loyalty Clients will remember the companies that reached out in meaningful ways during the pandemic so keep employees in place to continue servicing them. By pushing faster response in times can reduce the risk of losing clients. Well trained staffs to help guide the customers. Revisiting the lost of customer profiles.

During this pandemic Covid-19 many companies are facing with set of new challenges by working from home remotely. This is the time for us to shift our thinking from challenge mode to opportunity mode. Many companies dream of a time when the daily tasks of our typical workdays calm down a little so their teams can focus on longer term, bigger picture projects. This is that time to think big, think creatively, and think in all directions. Here are the tips on how to make sure your team working remotely with less stress. The Time To Over-Communicate Communication during work from home can’t easily happen as spontaneously as how it does when people are sitting next to each other at work but now is a time when communication needs to be ramped up whether casual chats or work related discussions. The sudden move from the workplace to a home space can take an emotional toll on people when they no longer have the social contact with work friends and colleagues. Over communication is necessary to keep the team productive and focus with less stress. Get the team together virtually Getting your team together is equally as important. By having virtual meetings with the team and get everyone together can be easy way to motivate teams and make them feel connected. If ever there was a meeting to be on video this would be it. Make it fun maybe have a “coffee date” a couple times a week in the morning, create a themed day, or celebrate a birthday. While small a little fun can go a long way. Share some at-home activities With many gyms and businesses closing they are now offering virtual options. Make it a habit to share both subscription and free workout classes or cooking classes, favourite books or games with your employees or colleagues. This can be a great way to less the stress and engage in something while at home.   Reference: 1) Harvard business review, 09 April 2020 2) University of Pittsburgh, Office of Human Resources, 13 April 2020 3) EDT, 20 March 2020

The trend of work-from-home just got a big push from the current global corona virus pandemic, but even before COVID-19 became a factor, increasing numbers of people have been saying goodbye to their onerous commute to work. It has been found that working from home would make employees happier as it lowers stress and boosts morale, that it drives employee efficiency and increase productivity rate. Set clear expectation The first step is to identify and hire talents who are self-starters and possess the will to work diligently even if given the work from home option. Expectations include the hours they put in and communication via instant messaging, video chat, or phone. Inform employees of meeting schedules and always be available for communications, priorities, and updates. Both employers and employees can demonstrate trustworthiness by being predictable, reliable, taking promises seriously and following through on commitments. Communicate frequently Effective communication is one of the biggest challenges in managing virtual employees. Since remote workers are only reachable by digital means, they might miss important messages when they’re engrossed in a task or dealing with connectivity issues. Instead of relying on textual exchanges, there should be multiple forms of communication in place. Encourage remote workers to keep their phones charged and close at hand, and to attend regular meetings via video conferencing software. Update their email, voicemail greeting, staff calendar etc. on a regular basis with a schedule, availability and contact information. Checking all communications platforms and voicemail frequently is imperative. Ensure data and device security Make certain to educate remote employees on basic security policies. This includes things like secure passwords, logging off when away from their devices, avoiding public Wi-Fi and can compromise the safety of corporate data. Ensure that your employee is allocated with a computer or a smartphone, an access to a reliable Internet connection back home, a secure remote access to the company’s internal network and databases and easy access to work emails or corporate messaging systems on their computers and smartphones.

Get ready to win attractive lucky draw prizes from Sharp Malaysia. Date: 21st April 2019 (Sun) Time: 6:00am – 10:00am Venue: Sharp Electronics Malaysia, Seksyen 27, Shah Alam, Selangor Race Distance: 3KM & 6.5KM Fun Run (Virtual Run also available) Registration fee is as low as  RM28. Follow the event update at https://www.facebook.com/events/1240898559396767/

An event for the brave as you will have to race through Kwong Tong cemetery area in the wee hours of the morning. Date: 14th April 2019 (Sun) Time: 6:35 am Venue: Taman Gelora, Kuantan, Pahang Race Distance: 4KM & 10KM Last day to register is on 7th April 2019. Follow the event update at https://www.facebook.com/events/2590303890983859/

Support this fundraising event by the Malaysian Foundation for the Blind (YOBM). Date: 20th April 2019 (Sat) Venue: Jalan P5, Pullman Putrajaya Race Distance: 3KM & 5KM Fun Run Registration closing date is on 25th March 2019 . Fees as low as RM35 . Follow the event update at https://www.facebook.com/events/335535643733177/

28 April 2019 (Sunday) Venue: Kem Isi Rimba, Kemensah https://www.justrunlah.com/race/run-asia-kemensah-2019/

21 April 2019 (Sunday) Venue: Tugu Negara, Kuala Lumpur https://www.justrunlah.com/race/rotary-club-of-bukit-bintang-charity-run-2019/