New research undertaken by Grow Remote shows that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are benefiting from remote and hybrid working models. The research was published to coincide with the launch of a new service which is designed to assist SMEs across Ireland to harness the benefits of remote work for their businesses.
The report shows that SME owners see the key benefits of remote/hybrid work as their ability to attract talent from a wider talent pool, improved employee satisfaction and retention, and improved work-life balance for staff. The findings did, however, indicate that the SMEs interviewed were not utilising specific metrics to measure the effects of remote or hybrid work on their business.
Dr. Ken Germaine, the report’s author, noted that “what came through was the way SMEs were successfully implementing remote/hybrid business models. 100% of our SMEs interviewed thought that remote/hybrid was a positive factor in both staff retention and attracting new staff, key aspects for competitive businesses. None had faced major barriers and all saw remote/hybrid work practices as a permanent part of their organisations’ future”.
The research was undertaken as the first phase of a new fully funded support programme for SMEs which is now open for applications from SMEs all over Ireland.
With support from Enterprise Ireland, Grow Remote has developed the FORWARD Programme, a fully funded initiative designed to assist SMEs across Ireland in adopting and enhancing remote work models. This programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-27.
The FORWARD Programme aims to equip SMEs with tailored strategies to successfully implement remote work, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities that come with this transition. By participating, companies can expect to receive comprehensive support in developing remote work policies, leveraging digital tools, and fostering a culture that supports remote teams.
Grow Remote has been at the forefront of supporting Irish employers in transitioning to remote work. They have delivered training programmes to over 2,500 remote employees and jobseekers in collaboration with partners such as the Laois & Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), IDA Ireland, and SOLAS. These programmes aim to develop the skill sets required for organizations to thrive while working remotely.
Dr Eoin Byrne, Training Manager at Grow Remote, stated: “SMEs are the backbone of the Irish economy and many of them are increasingly seeing the advantage of adopting remote work operating models in order to attract and retain talent in a competitive jobs market, and to improve productivity and performance. The future of the workplace is digital, and the FORWARD programme is a significant step in providing Irish SMEs with the expert support they need to futureproof in an ever changing economy.”
For more information and to apply for the FORWARD Programme, interested SMEs can visit Grow Remote’s official website at https://growremote.ie/forward-programme/.
Download the ‘Going Remote: A Market Research Report on the Experiences of Irish SMEs in Adopting Remote and Hybrid Practices’ in full here.
