How Remote Work Is Changing Lives, Including My Own
I used to spend up to five hours sitting in traffic every day just to get work done. The BPO office in Taguig wasn’t that much different. Except this time I’m cooped up in a cubicle instead of a vehicle. Oh, and I get a quick break in between — just enough to grab a snack and stretch my legs.
Now, that all feels like a lifetime away, and remote work made all the difference.
How is remote work changing work as we know it?
It wasn’t long ago when remote work felt like unfamiliar terrain. Today, it’s the new normal — with 56% of global companies allowing remote work (16% are fully remote!) and 70% of the workforce forecasted to work remotely by 2025.
When Shepherd started, my co-founder Marshall and I did everything ourselves. Now, our team has grown to over 100 members. We’re on the road to hiring 2,000 Filipino remote workers and have amassed over 65k followers on Facebook. It blows me away just thinking about it!
Clearly, something has shifted.
COVID-19 played a massive part in accelerating the remote work movement across the globe. 52% of Filipinos have already embraced remote work even before the pandemic. With the changes that came with COVID-19, that number spiked to 85%. Now, almost half of the population prefers the remote setup, and for good reason.
The unique opportunities of remote work
The rise of remote work was born out of necessity. No longer bound to the confines of traditional office spaces, Filipinos now have the power to:
Penetrate the global job market – Without geographic borders, Filipinos have the choice to collaborate with international companies and access opportunities that were once limited by location.
Enjoy job flexibility – I’ve yet to meet a person who enjoys sitting in traffic, especially in the Philippines. Remote work has redefined working hours for good — allowing Filipinos to meet their responsibilities wherever, whenever.
Establish work-life balance – Filipinos now have more time for what matters most besides work. That means spending quality time with family, gathering energy to pursue personal interests, and engaging in self-care.
Save on costs – Removing the extra cost of traveling to work means saving up on living expenses. Remote work also gives us the choice to relocate to more affordable areas while earning competitive salaries — accelerating every Filipino's dream of financial success.
Start our entrepreneurial journey – We're seeing Filipinos opening up freelance businesses, offering specialized services globally, and building a client base without the need for a physical office space.
I’ve enjoyed each of these opportunities in my own personal journey. In fact, I would trace Shepherd’s origin story to the power of remote work and a solid friendship.
You see, I've dreamed of starting a business for more than 10 years. After doing operations and customer support for BPO companies, my co-founder Marshall and I joined forces. From being a two-man show, we built Shepherd into the fully-remote, seven-figure company that it is today.
With over 100 team members, Shepherd has grown into a headhunting agency that helps North American companies find top Filipino talents. At the same time, we help Filipinos (close to 2,000 now!) find amazing remote jobs with reputable US teams. It's a win-win for everyone.
Now, I get to make memories with my family and work on passion projects like speaking at The Feast. I’ve been on trips to Singapore and Malaysia, as well as local destinations like Batangas, Palawan, Siargao, and Zambales — while doing meaningful work with people I believe in.
As someone who promotes work-life harmony, I strongly believe that work is an essential part of our lives and can be a source of fulfillment and purpose. However, work should not consume our entire lives or come at the expense of our well-being and personal relationships.
Most Filipinos would say the same. From better job opportunities, competitive rates, flexible schedules, work-life balance, and cost savings — more and more Filipinos unlock professional fulfillment and personal well-being thanks to remote work.
How can traditional employers keep up with remote work?
For many traditional companies, keeping up with the times is key to survival. Even remote companies like Shepherd need to evolve to get things right. For us, remote work, at its core, relies on trust.
At Shepherd, it's vital that we foster a culture of trust between employees and management. We trust our people to work independently and to take ownership of their work. This trust allows our people to have more autonomy in their work, which in turn leads to better work-life harmony.
So, what does it take to successfully run a remote business? Try these:
Hire the right people – You want people who have the right skills, with the same goals and beliefs as you. Hiring the right people from the get-go saves resources and does wonders for the company and our clients.
Support your people with the right systems – Investing in robust and secure digital infrastructure is crucial. When your people are equipped with the right tools, they’re empowered to do amazing work.
Establish clear communication channels – This is the lifeline of remote work. You want to be able to communicate without micromanagement. Using communication to bridge the gap created by distance builds trust among remote teams.
Prioritize employee engagement and well-being – Remote employees need to feel connected, valued, and supported. Offering mental health support, flexible work schedules, and promoting work-life balance creates a positive and inclusive remote work culture.
Rethink performance evaluation – Focus on outcome-based assessments. By shifting the focus from hours to results, teams can see the difference they make through the work they do.
It all boils down to trust and a results-oriented mindset. This approach allows employees to work more efficiently and effectively, which can lead to a better work-life balance and more time for personal pursuits.
I also believe that work should be enjoyable and engaging. When employees find meaning and enjoyment in their work, they are more likely to be productive and engaged, which can lead to better outcomes for both the employee and the company.
We’ve seen it at Shepherd and that’s why we’re still here.
How can employees take advantage of remote work?
Hear me out — remote work is great but it isn’t always a walk in the park. You'll need to:
Learn and upskill – Learn whenever you can. Explore online courses, webinars, and networking platforms to enhance existing skills and acquire new ones.
A penchant for digital – Digital expertise is in high demand. Developing skills in coding, social media marketing, and digital design positions you well in the world of remote work.
Communicate like a pro – Communication is everything. Strive to be proactive, responsive, and clear. This will make a huge difference when collaborating in fast-paced online environments.
Manage your time – With the freedom to work remotely comes the responsibility of self-discipline. Take ownership of your work, prioritize tasks, and leverage productivity tools to stay focused and submit quality tasks on time.
Set clear boundaries – Work-life balance is your friend. By creating designated workspaces and honoring personal time, you maintain balance and prevent burnout.
Be open to opportunities – Develop a love for change. In the fast-changing landscape of remote work, you need to constantly adapt, try new things, and deliver great work in the face of change. Who knows? A brand new chapter might just be waiting for you at Shepherd.
There isn’t a better time to become a digital nomad but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t come with its own set of challenges for businesses and teams. The great thing is, every day is an opportunity to do meaningful work. More than that, every day as a digital nomad is a chance to grow and improve.
We’re just getting started
We’ve entered a new era of endless possibilities. But it’s only just begun.
Remote work has shattered traditional barriers — redefining work, employment, and productivity as we speak. New things can be a bit scary, but they can also be great. Now here is a world where people can collaborate freely. And believe it or not, we now live in a world where a BPO employee like me can become a co-founder of a seven-figure company.
You know, I still get stuck in traffic and it doesn’t hurt to drop by a coworking space once in a while. But it does feel great to never choose between doing meaningful work and living my best life.
Co-founding Shepherd has been a life-changing journey, not just for me, but for my family, our team, and all the Filipino talents who have found amazing jobs through our service. I’ve been around the remote work scene for some time, yet there’s still so much opportunity to go around. So, welcome to the future of work. There’s room for you here if you want it!
