b'COVID-19 With a remote set-up, managers dont really have the ability toWhen it comes to rolling out a remote connectivity solution, it helps to take a measured approach. look over their employees shoulders, but there are tools that can doWhen you do pick a solution, dont try to boil the ocean, Bialek says. Ive seen organizations bring in a that in a digital equivalent, explains Bialek. You can establish con- product like Office 365 and try to squeeze every ounce of productivity out of it to justify the expense. In trols that let you monitor what is being shared, set policies to pre-vent people from sharing specific documents and establish alerts whenthe end, though, they end up doing too much too fast, and that turns users off. something like a credit card number or SIN gets released outside ofThe key, he adds, is to start with the essentialsemail, messaging, virtual meetings, etc.and then ease the organization.into more sophisticated features such as online file-sharing. Then, as people get comfortable with the new-Making the transitionest feature, you can move on to the next project with everyone on board.The transition to remote connectivity isnt always straightforward.It may be some time before construction companies can return to business as usual. Until then, there is a While the technologies may exist to make life and work a little easier,benefit to adopting technologies that can keep teams connected and taking steps to make those changes stick. there are change-management obstacles to overcome. This article originally appeared in the Summer 2020 issue of Build Manitoba magazine and is reprinted with per-One issue we had is with the home internet connection for themission from the Winnipeg Construction Association.users, says Motei. Some people live in the countryside with poor internet connections or in the city with sub-optimal internet plans, but you cant really control that as a company. Addressingemployeestechnologicalissuescanalsoprovediffi-cult during self-isolation protocolsparticularly for IT professionals helping staff members who arent comfortable with technology and need more hands-on support. Moreover, in an industry prone to time- The key is to start with the essentialshonoured practices and traditions, it can be tough to sway some indi-viduals into using remote technologies, let alone learn new skills in an accelerated timeline. When making a digital transformation, it is important for companyemail, messaging, virtual meetings, etc. leaders and IT professionals to communicate the value of utilizing re-mote technologies during this time of separation. It helps to set expec-tations among the team about working remotely and the ways it may impact normal routines. Having physical or online training resources helps in this regard, as does open communication to provide ongoing and then ease into more sophisticated support and coaching for those who require it. There is also a benefit to consulting with remote technology spe-cialists, whether in-house or third-party, to assess the organizations requirements and source solutions to match.features such as online file-sharing.Before you invest in a new platform or technology, its really worth your time to have those upfront conversations with your team to as-sess the business needs and anticipate the potential problems each staff member may face, says Downing. For us, these conversations guide our research into solutions and influence the software and hardware we choose to implement.Investing time at the beginning of the process helps us get things right the first time, he adds.BUILD MOREWITH BEACONSERVING ROOFING CONTRACTORS ACROSS ONTARIO| CAMBRIDGE| CONCORD | LONDON| OTTAWA | WHITBYWWW.BEACON-CANADA.COM Commercial and Residential RoofingTrinity Roofing Ltd. specializes in a variety of roofing applications andwaterproofing for residential, commercial and institutional buildings.Phone: 416-630-9213URL: www.trinitycanada.com Fax: 416-630-1722 Email: info@trinitycanada.com 16ONTARIO ROOFING NEWSISSUE 3 2020 THE ONLY SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ICI ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN ONTARIO ORN'