Remote work is competitive work. With the internet becoming everyone’s new workplace, you and every- one around the world can apply for the same job listing. Because of this, specific digital literacy skills are often what sets you apart from your peers.
So, take some time to familiarise yourself with the latest digital developments and see where you can use them. And to help out, here’s our rundown on the top digital literacy skills to develop for remote wor- kers in India.
One of the biggest challenges when it comes to working remotely is simply mastering the art of digital collaboration. Thankfully, we have an abundance of collaborative digital tools to take advantage of today – all you need to do is learn how to use these tools effectively.
Collaborative tools and communication platforms have quickly become the norm, but even if you’re comfortable using collaborative tools, there may still be tricks of the digital trade you don’t know. This could also be as simple as decluttering your Teams tab and notifications, or as innovative as using Asana AI to optimise your workflow. You can even use tools like Adobe Acrobat as a collaborative platform, as this nifty PDF tool can be used to merge PDF files generated by multiple authors or even add in written comments or notes directly onto PDFs.
No matter what platforms and programs you’re using on a daily basis in your project management processes, be sure to take some time to see what other features are available to you by exploring their settings and options, or by searching for tips online.
Cybercrime rates grow more and more each year, so being aware and digitally secure while working online is a necessity. This includes practising safe habits like using two-factor authentication, setting complex passwords, and ensuring secure internet connections.
Beyond protecting yourself from cyber attacks, cybersecurity also requires you to be aware and cautious when receiving texts and emails from unknown or unusual senders. Learn cybersecurity laws, tips and habits from trusted sources like government sites, and you’ll greatly reduce the chance of becoming the target of a cybercrime.
When you’re working from home (or anywhere you want to), it’s easy to get side tracked. But beyond setting up a dedicated workstation and limiting distractions, you can also adopt programs to help manage your time and keep you on course.
For time management, there are programs like Toggl, Clockify, and RescueTime – which are especially useful for tracking billable time if you’re a freelancer. And for self-discipline, try using Microsoft To-Do, Notion, and Tiimo. Depending on which software you’re already using, you can integrate these and allow for updates, notifications, and reminders as you work.
Communicating to people online requires different behaviour and considerations than communication in person – coining the phrase ‘netiquette’. You have to think about the lighting, noise, and presentation of your room during video calls. You also have to think about how your behaviour reflects on you and your company while using corporate social media like LinkedIn.
To put it simply, follow ‘the nana rule’– if your nana wouldn’t want to hear it, it’s a ‘na-na’ – don’t post it!
Knowing how to solve your own technical problems will save you and tech support a lot of time. This doesn’t mean knowing how to solder a motherboard connection, just having a basic knowledge of how to follow online tutorials and using troubleshooters for common issues. If you do find yourself needing to call in the pros, knowing how to use remote desktop software will save them having to explain it to you.
Having backups on a hard drive and on the cloud means you can’t easily be stumped by inaccessible or corrupted files.
Implement OneDrive, Google Drive, or DropBox today, and see how efficiency skyrockets. Because with them, not only can you access your files on the go, but others can view them even while you’re away from your computer. This is especially helpful if you’re working more collaboratively with a client on something.
It’s all too easy to give your files and folders short or numbered names, but if you take the time to give them useful filenames, you’ll make them all easier to find. How you organise your folders will depend on your work – sometimes it’s better to organise by project, others by month – so consider what you need to have most accessible.
It can also help to have a digital notepad like Evernote or Notion to jot down thoughts, reminders and key data, for optimum organisation.
The digital age is the age of constant learning. You can go from beginner to expert on a myriad of tech and industry skills with enough time, thanks to the endless online resources that teach you new things, and keep you aware of changing tech trends or new developments.
By keeping your nose to the grindstone as part of an ongoing drive to improve digital literacy skills, you can be on the cutting edge of the competition. Thankfully, there are many guides and lists online for skills to develop for any remote-compatible industry – whether that’s online marketing, AI integration, outsourcing, or prompting.
PowerPoints have been around for a while, but only recently have the tools become intuitive and accessible to the average user. Software platforms like Adobe can quickly up your presentation and mailout game so you can draw more attention from potential clients you’re pitching to, and stand out among your peers.
Use colours, brevity, creativity, and animations to keep your viewers invested, and you’ll receive more positive responses. If you can make even a weekly call entertaining, people will want to work with you and you’ll have more opportunities coming your way, as well as great referrals and repeat business.
The key for remote workers looking to improve their digital literacy is to keep learning and improving. Programs and features come and go, but being able to adapt quickly will keep you ahead of your peers.
See what’s new in your sector, apprise how your communication and efficiency skills can be improved, keep developing your digital understanding, and you’ll see commensurate benefits to your workflow and working relationships as a result.
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