by Tania Streltsova

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Remote work has become an essential part of modern employment. Five years ago, we couldn’t have imagined that it would take over our daily lives. Just five years ago, working from home used to be a privileged concept for a select few. Today, it’s a benefit available to nearly every office worker. This was made possible by the rapid development of remote work tools in response to growing demand.

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Personally, I’ve seen how this new work-from-home arrangement has benefited both employers and employees. Employers can now expand their talent search globally. And with international employment services like EOR or PEO, we’re erasing borders, making it easier than ever to hire across countries and continents.

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In this article, I’ll walk you through what’s really needed to organize an efficient remote workspace. For your convenience, I’ve structured it around the most common questions I get from clients – just like you – so let’s dive in!

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How do I find top international talent for remote positions?

Top international talent has become more accessible than ever. There are numerous platforms that connect companies with candidates from around the world. The following ones specialize in sourcing remote employees:

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• Remote.co: A platform that offers both job listings and resources tailored for remote workers, making it a great starting point for finding top talent.
• We Work Remotely: One of the largest remote work communities with job listings from companies globally. It’s an excellent resource for sourcing talent across a variety of industries.
• FlexJobs: Known for a good volume of verified job ads, FlexJobs helps attract top-tier talent with minimal risk of encountering scammers.
• Remote OK: Ideal for finding talent in engineering, design, writing, and marketing. The platform’s filters (by time zone, contract type, etc.) make it easy to match roles with the right candidates.
• Upwork: A leading freelance platform that connects clients with professionals for a wide range of projects, especially short-term or contract-based. I recommend it to companies looking for talent in software development, design, and content creation.
• Indeed.com: A widely recognized platform for both employers and job seekers. With a global reach and a vast range of job listings, Indeed allows companies to attract qualified candidates across numerous industries, including remote positions. Its advanced filters and candidate management tools make the hiring process streamlined and efficient.

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What tools do remote teams need?

The first step for any employer is to create a remote workplace for employees, fostering care and respect just as you would at a traditional workplace. Start with the basics: a computer, monitor, or laptop, and ensure that all team members are well-equipped for remote work. By the way, if your remote team is employed through a reliable EOR, this step can be implemented even more efficiently.

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Here’s a generic list of the most necessary devices for remote work. Mind that your remote team may need more than this, depending on the specific nature of your business.

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• desktop computer or laptop
• monitor
• smartphone
• tablet

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Work gadgets should be suitable for the tasks at hand and support all required software solutions. When selecting these tools for your team, prioritize safety and comfort, and ensure a stable internet connection, as this is crucial.

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The software you choose will depend on your team's specific tasks, but some, like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or any application that can open PDF files, are commonly used by most remote workers. In addition, your employees will need the following categories of software tools:

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• E-mail, communication, and video conferencing: Microsoft Teams, Gmail, Google Meet, Zoom, Skype, Slack, WhatsApp Business
• spreadsheet applications: Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Apple Numbers, or Smartsheet (these typically, but not always come as part of an office suite)
• storage and backup: Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive
• Antivirus and Firewall: Norton, McAfee, or Bitdefender

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A variety of task-specific software solutions may be essential in the following categories:

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• Hiring and PeopleOps
• Human Resources
• Knowledge Base Management
• Knowledge Management
• Productivity and Control
• Project Management
• Contract Management
• Sales and Marketing
• Social Media Management (e.g., LinkedIn)

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What are the current best practices for remote teams?

Employers continue to adopt practices that optimize the experience for both teams and individual employees. One emerging trend is offering compensation for home office expenses such as electricity, workspace rental, and even coffee. Including a Work From Home (WFH) allowance in employment contracts can improve job satisfaction and act as a long-term retention tool.

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Flexible Work Arrangements are another best practice. Unlike traditional office workers, remote employees can negotiate their schedules. Employment contracts or separate agreements can specify the number of working days and hours, allowing employees to balance their professional and personal lives more effectively.

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Is there an easy way to expand my remote team internationally?

As technology and remote work continue to evolve, new products and services emerge to simplify every step of employment for both companies and talents. Once you've selected a qualified remote candidate, you can partner with an Employer of Record (EOR) provider that will handle all legal complexities of hiring in a designated country. With an EOR, there’s no need to open a local office, branch, or register your company abroad. Your remote employee will be hired in compliance with local labor laws on your behalf.

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What scope of tasks does an EOR provider cover for remote teams?

Speaking from personal experience, not all EORs are made the same. There is a basic scope of services offered by all, but the full scope varies a lot depending on factors like global presence, industry expertise, operational structure, and resources of each specific provider.

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At Acvian, we support the growth of international remote teams by offering tailored solutions that go beyond the basics, including:

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• drafting, creation, and signing of employment contracts
• managing the remote onboarding process
• managing payroll
• handling benefits, allowances and bonuses
• reimbursing expenses
• managing taxes
• offering legal support and consulting on labor law
• managing terminations if needed

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and much more, all from one source.

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As a leader of a remote team myself, I wish you the best of luck on this journey! Embracing remote work places you among the most innovative companies today. Remember, we’re here to support you in this exciting transition. Let’s navigate the new era of employment together!