Whether you are working from home or office, having an <keyword id="1971307" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="over-ear-headphones" source="Orion">over-ear headphones</keyword> lets you attend meetings and calls effortlessly. With remote work, these <keyword id="179898" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="headphones" source="Orion">headphones</keyword> with their integrated mics offer clarity during calls and meetings. They can also be used to game or entertain yourself when taking a break. To help you buy an over-ear headphone for your work desk, here are the best affordable options available on Amazon. <bulletContentEmbed name="B005HWEZGG" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B005HWEZGG_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb><div type="image" title="Editor’s Choice" msid="85446352" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>B005HWEZGG</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B005HWEZGG_body"><bulletContentRow name="B005HWEZGG_0143397594361316"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Sennheiser PC 8</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The Sennheiser PC 8 headphone comes with a USB connection, making it compatible with most laptops and desktops. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac devices. They are said to deliver good sound quality. It is said to be lightweight and has a comfortable fit.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B005HWEZGG_3104245346875986"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The Sennheiser PC 8 features volume and mute controls that should let you change your audio settings easily.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B083X24CFF" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B083X24CFF_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb><div type="image" title="Recommended" msid="85446373" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>B083X24CFF</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B083X24CFF_body"><bulletContentRow name="B083X24CFF_9428407888350491"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">JBL Quantum 100 by Harman</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The JBL Quantum 100 by Harman comes with a 40mm drivers that are said to deliver the company’s signature audio quality. It is said to be lightweight and durable. The memory foam cushioning should ensure comfort while using it. It features a detachable microphone which comes with a mute feature.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B083X24CFF_3118012380772738"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The JBL Quantum 100 microphone is suitable choice for your work desk as well as for gaming.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B0873L7J6X" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B0873L7J6X_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb><div type="image" title="Value for Money" msid="85446396" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>B0873L7J6X</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B0873L7J6X_body"><bulletContentRow name="B0873L7J6X_7245024767152760"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Infinity Glide 510 by Harman</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The Infinity Glide 510 can be connected wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0. It is said to deliver clear audio with deep bass and comes with a microphone. It features ear cushions that are said to be comfortable, and are a suitable choice for long hours of work. It should offer a playtime of up to 72 hours under optimum audio settings.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B0873L7J6X_5853913424470579"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The Infinity Glide 510 is lightweight and has a foldable design that improves its portability.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B074ZF7PVZ" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B074ZF7PVZ_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb><div type="image" title="Pocket Friendly" msid="85446418" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>B074ZF7PVZ</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B074ZF7PVZ_body"><bulletContentRow name="B074ZF7PVZ_8430141725111253"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">boAt Bassheads 900</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The boAt Bassheads 900 is a wired headphone that can be connected using a 3.5mm audio jack. It comes with a PVC cable that claims to be durable and tangle-free. The headphone features an in-line microphone that should ensure passive noise isolation. The compact design and foldable features make it easy to store. </bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B074ZF7PVZ_5954300248060114"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The boAt Bassheads 900 is lightweight and should offer a comfortable fit.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B088FM4QG4" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B088FM4QG4_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb><div type="image" title="Comfortable Alternative" msid="85446443" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>B088FM4QG4</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B088FM4QG4_body"><bulletContentRow name="B088FM4QG4_8908597292742961"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Zebronics Zeb-Duke</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The Zebronics Zeb Duke headphone can be connected wirelessly via Bluetooth. It can also be connected using the 3.5mm AUX cable. It is said to feature an adjustable headband and RGB lights. The ear cushions should ensure comfort while you work for long hours. It features a built-in mic that should enable clarity during calls.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B088FM4QG4_2363983679621542"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The Zebronics Zeb Duke is said to have an in-built rechargeable battery that can provide a playback time of up to 30 hours when used in wireless mode.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B07TF2R9KW" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B07TF2R9KW_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb><div type="image" title="Deep-Bass Sound" msid="85446466" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>B07TF2R9KW</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B07TF2R9KW_body"><bulletContentRow name="B07TF2R9KW_9730647807761849"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Mi Super Bass</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The Mi Super Bass headphone can be connected wirelessly using Bluetooth v5.0 technology and is said to have a range of up to 10m. The earmuffs are said to be pressure-less ensuring a comfortable fit. The 40mm output should ensure a deep bass output. It features a microphone for clarity during calls and meetings.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B07TF2R9KW_9074990770620039"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The Mi Super Bass headphone is said to provide up to 20 hours of battery backup.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed>

Affordable over-ear headphone for your work desk in India

Signalling the future of work in the <keyword id="9255804" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="pandemic-times">pandemic times</keyword>, nearly one in three <keyword id="6682479" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="call-centres">call centres</keyword> (27 per cent) in India will switch permanently to work from home as a viable long-term strategy, a new report said on Monday. Amid the <keyword id="1384155" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="WFH">WFH</keyword> strategy, 53 per cent businesses also reported a drop in productivity of call centre agents. Some of the challenges listed were internet connectivity, telecom issues, practical constraints such as lack of privacy, space, noise cancellation, lack of desktops and laptops, according to the study by on-demand cloud communication and <keyword id="10132812" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="telephony-solutions-provider-ozonetel">telephony solutions provider Ozonetel</keyword>. "The pandemic has made contact centres look at the services that they provide and how they provide it," said <keyword id="7040183" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chaitanya-Chokkareddy">Chaitanya Chokkareddy</keyword>, Chief Innovation Officer, Ozonetel. "At the start of the lockdown in March, we promptly assisted many of our clients to move their agents to a work from home mode to help with business continuity plan very quickly," he added. Nearly 71 per cent of call centre agents mentioned internet connectivity as the biggest barriers to agent productivity, followed by telecom issues by 42 per cent. The study found that while 61 per cent call centre agents were happy with work from structure initially, gradually their motivation levels dropped. In spite of all challenges, most companies continue to realise the risk that commute and working from of?ce pose. 55% call centres are letting agents opt for work from home, while 16% are not opening of?ces, and keeping work from home mandatory. Many call centres have seen the value in creating a robust work from home process even if they do not switch to work from home permanently, or if they are still undecided. Nearly 38 per cent call centres said they will create a robust work-from-home process. "We have analysed various metrics to determine and understand trends in customer experience as well as agent efficiency as call centres switch to work from home," Chaitanya said. The study was done on 50 organisations to uncover the state of the call centre agents during Covid-19 lockdown. Many of the productivity challenges that call center agents face can be solved when provided with better hardware such as better handsets and headsets, laptops or desktops, direct telecom DID numbers and reimbursement of <keyword id="47655" type="TECHNOLOGY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Wi-Fi">Wi-Fi</keyword> charges, the findings showed. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indian-american-teen-wins-25000-for-work-on-potential-covid-19-treatment/articleshow/78746164.cms">Indian-American teen wins $25,000 for work on potential COVID-19 treatment</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/vivo-v20-with-44mp-selfie-camera-pre-booked-over-1-lakh-times-in-the-last-six-days/articleshow/78746221.cms">Vivo V20 with 44MP selfie camera pre-booked over 1 lakh times in the last six days</a>

One in three call centres in India to switch permanently to WFH

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Many work-from-homers are missing the alone time that once came with <keyword id="58218" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Commuting">commuting</keyword> to and from the office each day.</li><li>Librarian Lucy Ahmad says she's incorporated an hour-long 'fake commute' walk into the end of her day during the pandemic to help transition from work to personal time.</li><li>Whether a morning run, short drive, or daily walk, re-adding some quiet time to your day can help balance the stress and monotony of working remotely.</li><li>It might be hard, but the first thing to do is give yourself permission to draw boundaries.</li></ul>Every morning before her workday, medical office assistant hops in her car and drives. She spends anywhere from three minutes to 90 minutes on the road, before returning home and getting started with her day. Cameron is a "fake commuter," an increasingly common work-from-home trend that's being praised by workers and productivity coaches alike. "Fake commuting" is a substitute for the "me time" commuters once got on their way to a formal office space, whether they walked, drove, read a book or listened to a podcast on the train. Commuters had the time to clear their minds on their daily commute. With fake commuting, those who work from home do, too. We spoke to experts and seasoned fake commuters to understand the benefits of fake commuting and how to implement it in our own lives as the pandemic looms on. <div type="image" title="Alexis Cameron on her fake commute" height="832" width="1110" msid="79664825" hostid="261"></div><h2>Commuting created boundaries between work and home - fake commuting does too</h2>In 2018, the average American spent <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/10/07/nine-days-road-average-commute-time-reached-new-record-last-year/">225 hours</a> (over nine calendar days!) commuting. However, since the pandemic started, more people are working from home and <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-23/working-from-home-in-covid-era-means-three-more-hours-on-the-job">working 3 hours more daily</a> than they did before."Commuting was a great legitimate experience to set up a barrier between the outside world of work, family, [or] social life and demanding your attention," explains clinical psychologist Dr. Jeannette Raymond. "'Fake commute' time is about setting up personal care boundaries -- emotional oases and a guilt-free space [and] time to check in on themselves." The real commute, she explains, created those boundaries artificially; now people have to do it for themselves in a world where those boundaries are increasingly blurred.<h2>Unblurring the lines between work and home when you're working from home</h2>As someone who's been working from home for over a year, Rianna Kate, wellness educator and lifestyle coach says she came across the idea of fake commuting when some of her clients, who weren't used to working from home, were forced to do so due to the pandemic. Because that commute time was no longer there to fill, she explains, people were reluctant to make that time themselves.<div type="image" title="Fake commuting coach" height="331" width="442" msid="79664830" hostid="261"></div>"Suddenly, people were waking up late, grabbing a laptop off the floor next to their bed, sitting in bed in their pajamas [and] checking their emails," said Kate. "Normally, when you are in an office, you shut your laptop, walk out the door, get on the [train] and come home."Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/upstream-ceo-on-remote-work-leaving-new-york-during-covid-2020-11">I moved my family from NYC to Miami this year and it was the best thing I could've done as a tech cofounder</a><h2>Fake commuting can be an opportunity to get active</h2>Charlotte Barnacle, a project management officer from Oxfordshire, UK, took to fake commuting after she realized her work-from-home lifestyle was somewhat sedentary."I had started to gain weight over lockdown, and I knew it was mainly because I wasn't moving around during the day," said Barnacle, whose commute lasted up to half an hour by car. "Although at the office I sat at a desk all day, I was walking… around the building a lot and getting out for a lunchtime walk."Since starting a daily 2.5-mile fake commute in the form of a walk, she's come to notice a surge of energy. "Walking before breakfast really gives me a feeling of accomplishment and sets me up for the day." <h2>Fake commuting is not the same as winding down after a long day</h2>Fake commutes are not about "rewards," like drinking a glass of wine after work, or watching a show, explains Raymond, they are about "erecting necessary personal boundaries that allow a person to separate family life from work life from reward time and friend time."Librarian Lucy Ahmad, whose commute was once a 45-minute walk each way, found her hour-long fake commute walk after work (in addition to a morning run) to be instrumental in bookending her day. "I decompress and disengage, psychologically drawing a line under the day… [it] keeps work and home separate."Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-build-company-wellness-program-employees-healthy-motivated-2020-8">How to build a comprehensive wellness program that keeps employees happy, healthy, and motivated for the long haul</a><h2>Reaping the benefits of 'fake commuting'</h2>Nowadays, as we switch between hundreds of open tabs on our laptop, shopping online while replying to work emails during the day and streaming shows into the night, we have no boundaries. " Without [boundaries] one becomes disoriented, overwhelmed, and unable to monitor when you need a break; when you need a chance of pace or activity," explained Raymond.<div type="image" title="Akanksha Singh" height="1694" width="2259" msid="79664832" hostid="261"></div>It might be hard, but the first thing to do is give yourself permission to draw boundaries. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and drowning in family stuff, children's schooling and having no break, says Raymond, adding it might even feel like there is no legitimate reason to take breaks since everything blurred into everything else.Once you've done that, Kate suggests working out what works for you. It might not be Ahmad's morning run and walk schedule or Cameron's daily drive. Rather says Kate, it's about taking guilt-free time for yourself and setting up boundaries. Whether that's multiple desktops set up on your Mac to draw lines between your "work" and "personal" modes like Kate, setting a time every morning to say, "Today I'm going to turn off my laptop at 5 and go for a walk," or listening to a true-crime podcast, fake commuting, however you choose to practice is about your individual <keyword id="6354774" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Mental-health">mental health</keyword>.

People have started 'fake commuting' because they crave the alone time they used to get on their way to the office - and experts say it's a smart idea

<ul><li>The Personnel Ministry has come out with a draft framework for 'work for home' for the staff post-lockdown. </li><li>The <keyword id="185360" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="department-of-personnel-and-training">Department of Personnel and Training</keyword> (DoPT) may provide option for <keyword id="123591" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Work-from-home">work from home</keyword> to the eligible officers/staff for 15 days in a year as a matter of policy, it said.</li><li>There are 48.34 lakh central government employees.</li></ul>Asserting that Central government employees may have to work with staggered attendance and variable working hours, the Personnel Ministry has come out with a draft framework for 'work for home' for the staff post-lockdown. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) may provide option for work from home to the eligible officers/staff for 15 days in a year as a matter of policy, it said. There are 48.34 lakh central government employees. In a communiqué to all central government departments, the Personnel Ministry said the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated many ministries to operate from home to maintain social distancing. "Many of the ministries/departments in Government of India have successfully managed and rendered exemplary results in combat against the ongoing pandemic outbreak during the lockdown period by leveraging e-office and video conferencing facilities of National Informatics Centre (NIC). This was the first-of-its-kind experience in the Government of India," it said. It is quite likely that for the near future, the central secretariat will continue to go for staggered attendance and variable working hours to maintain social distancing at workplace, the ministry said. "Therefore, a broad framework for work from home is important to standardize the operating procedure even post lock down situation and to ensure safety and security of information, while accessing government files and information remotely from home," it said. Accordingly, a new set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been finalised for the employees to ensure smooth and seamless functioning of the government for continuity of the office works besides imparting resilience in the ecosystem even post lock down situations. Employees will be provided with the logistic supports in the form of laptop/ desktop by the respective ministries/departments. "Ministries may use the inventory of laptops on rotational basis for the officers who are working from home and needed such logistic support," the draft guidelines said. They may also get reimbursement for internet services that they would use while working from home. "Department of Expenditure may consider reimbursement for data uses to the officers working from home and if required may issue separate guidelines in this regards," the draft guidelines said. It proposed extra protocol for all VIP and Parliament matters that require utmost attention. "Therefore, SMS alerts be sent for all such receipts and files to the next officer in the channel," it said. The draft guidelines said ministries/departments concerned, who are not yet using the e-office module, would make endeavour for its expeditious implementation in their secretariat, attached and subordinate offices in a "time bound manner". Presently, about 75 ministries/departments are actively using e-office platform of which 57 have achieved more than 80 per cent of their work. E-office refers to digitization/computerization of office working. However, "classified papers, files" cannot be processed while working from home. "As per instructions of the <keyword id="69522" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-home-affairs">Ministry of Home Affairs</keyword> no classified information shall be handled through e-office. Therefore, classified files shall not be processed in e-office during work from home," it said. The NIC may evaluate the existing security protocol for remote access of classified file/ information in consultation with Home Ministry and propose suitable guidelines and standard operating procedures for handling classified information in e-office, the guidelines said. "Till the time classified files shall be processed on standalone computers only as specified in the Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure (CSMOP)," it said. The Personnel Ministry said the officers to whom official laptops are provided shall ensure that they do the official work in official device only. "NIC shall ensure that their devices are well protected against malware and malicious websites. The officers who are working on their personal computers/ lap tops shall ensure installing regular updates, running antivirus scans, blocking malicious sites, etc with the help of NIC to ensure safety of their device against information theft," the guidelines said. Officers who are working from home shall be available on phone as per requirements and directions of their officers, it said. To facilitate inter ministerial consultations, exchange of files between the ministries may be made seamlessly in e-office, the guidelines said. "NIC video conferencing facility shall be leveraged to organise important meetings while working from home. Officers and staff shall attend the meetings by activating VC link forwarded to them by NIC in formal meeting set up. VCs shall also be used as far as possible in office environment to maintain social distancing during COVID 19 pandemic," it said. The NIC has been asked to strengthen the VC to make it more facilitative. "Officials working from home shall adhere to all norms of office environment while attending VC meetings," the guidelines said. "All central government departments have been asked to send their comments by May 21, failure of which would be presumed that the "ministry/department is in agreement with the proposed draft," it stated. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/more-employees-at-capgemini-infosys-and-wipro-are-being-brought-back-to-offices-while-tcs-is-still-in-wait-and-watch-mode/articleshow/75691940.cms">More employees at Capgemini, Infosys, and Wipro are being brought back to offices while TCS is still in wait and watch mode</a>

Central government employees in India may be allowed to work from home for 15 days a year after lockdown

Mumbai, Apr 26 () When the COVID-19 pandemic came ashore and moves like lockdowns were being deliberated upon, the USD 180-billion IT sector faced a huge challenge for business continuity. More than a month into it, industry executives feel it has been a blessing in disguise and will lead to a larger number of people to work from home in the post coronavirus world. They attribute the emerging scenario to cost and productivity gains out of WFH (Work From Home) and it is not just the IT sector which is reaping the benefits. Companies across the services sectors, including banks, are set to have fewer people work from the offices in the future. India was put under a three-week lockdown from March 25, which was extended by 19 more days till May 3, to arrest the spread of coronavirus infections. As the promised date nears, there is an increasing possibility that the lockdown will be extended in many pockets, which have turned into hotspots. At present, many employees travel long distances to workplaces in cities plagued with traffic issues and high air pollution. Largest software exporter TCS's Chief Executive and Managing Director Rajesh Gopinathan explained that over the decades, IT companies' model was based on employees trooping-in to cubicles often in specially erected or hired campuses for work, but the lockdown resulted in a quick shift to the WFH model. Keshav Murugesh, Chief Executive of business process management player WNS and former Chairman of IT industry lobby grouping Nasscom, said the association responded to the challenge by helping its members transport over 25 lakh desktops from offices to associates' residences within a fortnight, which ensured work can continue. Once they started working from home, companies are seeing gains on costs as well as efficiencies, and now, business leaders are certain that fewer people will be manning the cubicles spread across campuses. "WFH is working extremely well. With the kind of efficiencies that we have started delivering on WFH, there will be a significant impact in the longer term," Murugesh told , stating that in the future, a higher percentage of people will be working from home than pre-COVID days. Such a shift will be a blessing for women who are not able to continue with their careers because of family commitments, as they can continue devoting some time for work, Murugesh said, pegging the total number of such possible beneficiaries in millions. In a recent interaction, TCS's Chief Operating Officer N Ganapathy Subramaniam said the company is expecting to have only 25 per cent of its staff work from offices by 2025, though it was not clear when the company decided on the target. "We are seeing that our team is able to handle the transaction volumes. At the same time, we are seeing that the productivity, the velocity, the throughput of work has significantly increased. I do not believe that the gains will be lost. There will be a lot more to gain in this new model," he said. "… we don't believe that we need to have more than 25 per cent of our workforce at our facilities in order to make all the 100 per cent productive. That is one great realisation. We don't believe that every employee needs to be present all the time in our offices," Subramaniam added. The company has ensured that 90 per cent of its 3.55 lakh people working in India have been able to work from home in a secure manner. Veteran banker Aditya Puri, who has led HDFC Bank since its inception to be the largest by assets among the private sector ones, also seemed to agree with the IT industry. "Everybody who could work from home is already working from home. In fact, we are now examining whether even after coronavirus why these people should not work from home because it gives ample cost saving to us and (WFH) is a good benefit to the employee," Puri said on a conference call late last month. However, the industry's wishes cannot easily get transformed into practice, Murugesh said, pointing to the BPM (Business Process Management) industry's peculiar demands if a large portion of staff were to work from home. At present, he said the Department of Telecom and the Commerce Ministry have granted a limited period approval for carrying out WFH, and the same relaxations will have to be continued as well. Explaining the same, he said associates need specialised telephone lines to stay connected while most of the companies work out of campuses which are demarcated as Special Economic Zones, and enjoy taxation sops and other advantages because work happens from a specific area. AA RAMRAM

COVID-19 impact: More staff in services sector cos to work from home in future as well

New Delhi, Mar 12 () In a precautionary move to check spread of deadly coronavirus, state-owned Software Technology Parks of India on Thursday issued advisory that enables around 18-20 lakh employees of IT units registered with it to <keyword id="123591" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Work-from-home">work from home</keyword>. IT industry body NASSCOM had urged the government to relax restrictions regarding allowing employees to work from home, amid the coronavirus outbreak. Currently, there are restrictions on WFH (work from home) under the OSP (other service providers) regime. "There are rules that allow employees to work from home in certain situation. We have issued those enabling clauses and will motivate all units registered with us to implement it. There are around 3,000 exporters registered with us and around 18-20 lakh employees work with them," STPI Director General Omkar Rai told . The urgent advisory issued by STPI, which overseas facilities and rules for software exporters, said in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, units may require employees to work from home using the laptop or desktop provided by the unit to them. "In this connection, para-6.07 of HBOP (handbook of procedures) of FTP, inter-alia, permits employees of STP/EHTP units to take duty fee laptops/computers, etc, out of premises of unit for working upon by authorised employees," the advisory said. STPI mentioned another rule which permits authorised employees of STP (Software Technology Parks)-ETHP units to work from a place outside the unit. "Keeping in view of the outbreak of coronavirus, it is advised to make the industry/industry associations aware of this rule position enabling to make aforesaid precautionary measures in this regard for continuity of business operations in a seamless manner," the advisory said. The coronavirus outbreak, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, has led to more than 4,000 deaths so far globally. The government on Wednesday suspended all visas, barring a few categories like diplomatic and employment, in an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus as cases across India rose to more than 70. Companies across sectors are asking their staff to work from home and adopting technologies like telepresence and video-conferencing to ensure business continuity. However, companies continue to struggle in operationalising WFH for their employees, owing to the onerous compliance and technical requirements under the prevailing OSP regime. These requirements include establishing PPVPN connectivity, sharing pre-defined locations of extended agents (employees), and providing high monetary security deposits, among others. PPVPN (Provider Provisioned Virtual Private Network) is generally used by companies to ensure secure communications for employees working from remote locations. Nasscom, which represents IT and BPO companies as well as start-ups, has written to Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on the issue. In its letter, Nasscom urged that requirements pertaining to WFH under the OSP regime be relaxed for a period of one month as an interim emergency measure. PRS HRS

18-20 lakh employees of IT companies to work from home in India

New Delhi, Mar 12 () In a precautionary move to check spread of deadly coronavirus, state-owned Software Technology Parks of India on Thursday issued advisory that enables around 18-20 lakh employees of IT units registered with it to work from home. IT industry body NASSCOM had urged the government to relax restrictions regarding allowing employees to work from home, amid the coronavirus outbreak. Currently, there are restrictions on WFH (work from home) under the OSP (other service providers) regime. "There are rules that allow employees to work from home in certain situation. We have issued those enabling clauses and will motivate all units registered with us to implement it. There are around 3,000 exporters registered with us and around 18-20 lakh employees work with them," STPI Director General Omkar Rai told . The urgent advisory issued by STPI, which overseas facilities and rules for software exporters, said in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, units may require employees to work from home using the laptop or desktop provided by the unit to them. "In this connection, para-6.07 of HBOP (handbook of procedures) of FTP, inter-alia, permits employees of STP/EHTP units to take duty fee laptops/computers, etc, out of premises of unit for working upon by authorised employees," the advisory said. STPI mentioned another rule which permits authorised employees of STP (Software Technology Parks)-ETHP units to work from a place outside the unit. "Keeping in view of the outbreak of coronavirus, it is advised to make the industry/industry associations aware of this rule position enabling to make aforesaid precautionary measures in this regard for continuity of business operations in a seamless manner," the advisory said. The coronavirus outbreak, declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, has led to more than 4,000 deaths so far globally. The government on Wednesday suspended all visas, barring a few categories like diplomatic and employment, in an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus as cases across India rose to more than 70. Companies across sectors are asking their staff to work from home and adopting technologies like telepresence and video-conferencing to ensure business continuity. However, companies continue to struggle in operationalising WFH for their employees, owing to the onerous compliance and technical requirements under the prevailing OSP regime. These requirements include establishing PPVPN connectivity, sharing pre-defined locations of extended agents (employees), and providing high monetary security deposits, among others. PPVPN (Provider Provisioned Virtual Private Network) is generally used by companies to ensure secure communications for employees working from remote locations. Nasscom, which represents IT and BPO companies as well as start-ups, has written to Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on the issue. In its letter, Nasscom urged that requirements pertaining to WFH under the OSP regime be relaxed for a period of one month as an interim emergency measure. PRS HRS

Coronavirus: 18-20 lakh employees of IT companies to work from home

<ul><li>With the new update, a user can change their profile picture into a profile video.</li><li> The video will play when someone opens the user's profile, and it is possible to choose a specific frame from the video to be displayed in chats, the company said in a statement on Sunday.</li><li><keyword id="1275203" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Telegram">Telegram</keyword> is increasing the size limit for files shared on the app, from 1.5GB per file - the limit that had been in place since 2014 - to 2GB for any file type.</li></ul> <keyword id="790242" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="WhatsApp">WhatsApp</keyword>'s closest rival Telegram has rolled out a substantial update, adding Profile Videos along with improved People Nearby features, unlimited file sharing with up to 2GB per file and more. With the new update, a user can change their profile picture into a profile video. The video will play when someone opens the user's profile, and it is possible to choose a specific frame from the video to be displayed in chats, the company said in a statement on Sunday. Telegram is increasing the size limit for files shared on the app, from 1.5GB per file - the limit that had been in place since 2014 - to 2GB for any file type. The update has also improved the People Nearby feature, which now also indicates the distance between the user and any detected contacts. If a user getting too many messages from non-contacts, one can try the new switch in privacy and security settings to automatically archive and mute new chats from people not in contact. Now, owners of large groups with over 500 members can now view detailed graphs about their activity and growth. Group stats also show a list of top members by number of messages and average message length. In the future, the features will be available for groups with just 100 members. In addition, Telegram Desktop now supports multiple accounts, similar to the mobile app, which has done so since 2017. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/coovid-vaccine-from-oxford-serum-institute-and-astrazeneca-shows-promising-immune-response/articleshow/77069321.cms">The COVID-19 vaccine from Oxford and AstraZeneca shows 'promising' results in early human trials</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/dil-bechara-kissing-booth-2-and-other-movies-you-can-watch-on-netflix-amazon-prime-disneyhotstar-this-week/slidelist/77142498.cms">Dil Bechara, Kissing Booth 2 and other movies you can watch on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar this week</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/work-from-home-effect-these-companies-are-shelling-out-for-employees-power-bills-internet-cost-and-more/articleshow/77139229.cms">WFH effect – These companies are paying for employees' power bills, internet cost and more</a>

Telegram lets users adds profile videos, send 2GB files and more

<ul><li>In our latest interview series, we talk to brands to understand how they are coping with the new normal and their strategies towards navigating these difficult times.</li><li>As Acer opens its stores in green zones, we catch up with Chandrahas Panigrahi, CMO and Consumer Business Head, <keyword id="150674" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Acer-India">Acer India</keyword> to find out what kind of precautions the brand has taken to ensure the safety of its employees and consumers who visit the store, the future of retail industry and changing landscape of marketing in India. </li></ul>As the pandemic-induced lockdown forces the country to work from home and more employees, students and teachers look at making the most of their free time by honing new skills via virtual learning, Acer India has also witnessed a rising demand for its laptops. The brand has, therefore, tweaked its marketing strategy to reach out to prospective e-learners. It has partnered with Indian Principal Network that helps teachers, students and parents equip themselves with the right tech support. Acer India is also opening its doors to its consumers in green zones and is fully equipped with safety kits for its employees, partners and walk-in customers. Chandrahas Panigrahi, CMO and Consumer Business Head, Acer India further shares with us their e-commerce strategy, how segmenting their consumers into different categories helped the brand understand the urgency of delivery, why tweaking its marketing strategy was important to leverage the uptick in demand for devices, and precautionary measures it has taken to help its employees get through these unprecedented days. Excerpts: Q. Are you planning to open your stores in green zones? As per the government directive in lockdown, we have gradually opened our standalone stores in Green zone areas. However, we are taking care of complete sanitization along with providing the retail hygiene kits to our employees, partners, and walk-in customers. At Acer, we ensure that our stores are safe and COVID-19 free. Also, we are optimistic that the attempt of restarting stores will lead to some positive changes towards the economy and allow us to meet the growing consumer demands. Q. What has your marketing strategy been during the lockdown weeks? Have you changed your media mix, investing more on platforms like Digital since a few other mediums like OOH/Print have been suffering due to the lockdown? As we have been witnessing the unfolding of COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of it has moved the world towards quick digitalization. We are leveraging our e-store services to further accelerate our omni-channel services which have been initiated for partners and customers. The solution comes with the ease of home delivering products keeping the social distancing awareness in mind. Our e-store services feature a wide portfolio of products right from laptops, Desktops, Monitors, Projectors, and other accessories. Along with remote working, the shift has been seen in education sectors as well with remote learning concepts. In lieu of the rising demands, we have come up with focused targeting campaigns and partnerships to promote online education with Indian Principal’s Network (IPN) which is aimed at equipping lakhs of teachers, students, and parents with technology like laptops and tablets to teach smarter and learn better. Also, in the context of media, we understand that the print/OOH media has been witnessing a significant drop due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic. However, at Acer, we have been a digital-centric company. Hence, the media mix does not really change the scenario for us in a significant way. Q. Marketing during adverse times could often be misinterpreted as opportunistic. How have you made sure that your marketing communications have stayed relevant and not come across as insensitive? We have always been a customer centric organization and our agenda is to be nimble and optimistic. Upholding these values, we had come up with the Acer Care campaign for our consumers whereby we maintained sensitivity towards the situation and spoke to them on the lockdown. We covered various facets that were going to be part of the new normal and how we felt our consumers could cope with various new scenarios such as work hacks, maintaining social distancing etc During this lockdown period, to ensure that the consumers' rising demand for PCs are met at the earliest, we had come up with innovative buying options on our e-store where a customer could book a PC of their choice and pay later once the shipment is ready for their location. We had segmented them across categories such as Work from Home, Learn from Home, Game from Home and Create for Home, and had created customized bundles for them. We had also extended all the expiring warranty by 60 days so customers do not face any inconvenience and our customer care centres were enabled with remote servicing capabilities. We believe in innovation and are continually looking at new and progressive ways that will help us stay pertinent amongst our consumers. Q. Have you seen any changes in consumer behaviour? We have observed a rise in demand for laptops and gaming accessories which will mostly continue to be high as WFH, remote learning is going to stay for many more months. We have launched campaigns and marketing strategies to help our partners reach out to customers with home delivery and easy pay options. As an impactful and global brand, we help our customers with multiple buying options which are safe. We believe that in these unprecedented circumstances, customers will look for credibility, convenience and safety while shopping along with higher standards of business operations. We must enable the change as times and situation demands. Q. How is Acer utilising this time to upskill employees? Have you introduced any mental health awareness and care programs? We have looked at virtual learning for our employees and partners to ensure that we make the most of this period. Along with that, we have introduced initiatives to make our employees adapt to the new business environment, the customers’ demands, and enhance their know-how on the products and services. We have also organized an innovative leadership series with our management to further galvanize and motivate the employees while helping them stay better prepared in the ongoing crisis. Considering the well-being and health of our employees, we have provided our employees with a stationed gym to ensure that employees should get fitness breaks. We also have Physiotherapists and General physicians visiting us at the workplace with regular health/dietician sessions and medical check-ups for employees before the lockdown and the same facilities are available remotely now. We trust that a workplace is an important setup of our lives where we tend to spend at least 8 to 9 hours a day. Hence, a safe and healthy workplace can lead to a positive work culture and milieu. We also encourage employees to participate in the promotion of safety and health at the workplace through discussion to reduce their stress levels. Q. How are you preparing yourself for when things come back to normal? Because we think it will not be the same. At Acer, we are focusing on efficiency and digitalisation in our business. We are focusing on quick adaptation towards the changing requirements of the business and marketing strategies in the new normal. From the product sale side of it, we are transforming business strategies to keep the continuity and supply chain management on track. As mentioned above through our various partner solutions, we are training our channel partners and helping them to reach customers from multiple touch points. Being a digital-first company has helped us to adapt quickly to the changes and we are well equipped to thrive in this new normal.

Marketing in the times of COVID-19: Acer

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="http://www.nataliezfat.com/">Natalie Zfat</a> is a <keyword id="6354632" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="social-media">social media</keyword> entrepreneur who has worked with Facebook, Samsung, LinkedIn, American Express, and more, and has over 100,000 followers across social media.</li><li>She says she's done 12 specific things over the last five months to make the most of the pandemic.</li><li>Zfat spruced up her website design, signed her whole company up for DE&amp;I training, practiced her public speaking skills, and networked online with fellow social media experts.</li><li>If you're an entrepreneur with extra time on your hands, Zfat also recommends getting any lingering legal matters in order, and brainstorm new products or services that your <keyword id="6355515" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="business">business</keyword> could offer.</li></ul>Back in March, when the pandemic was a blip on our radars, I mapped out <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-help-your-business-succeed-in-slow-period-2020-3">a list of eight ways</a> every business owner could make the most of a slow period.Five months later — with the pandemic still very much a part of our everyday lives — I thought I'd share what I've actually done during this period (plus a few more tasks that most of us could not have anticipated).From overhauling my website design to putting on some extra hats for our clients to signing up for a diversity training, here are the 12 things every entrepreneur should consider adding to their 2020 to-do list.<h2>1. Revamp your website</h2>As a social media consultant to some innovative technology companies, I knew <a href="http://nataliezfat.com">my website</a> needed to be spruced up to impress my clients; I just didn't make the time to actually do it... for five years.Enter: The pandemic.To build an interactive website guaranteed to impress my Fortune 1000 clients, we tapped <a href="http://editorx.com/">Editor X</a>, which gave us built-in SEO optimization, endless website templates to choose from — and responsive design that makes my site dazzle across desktop, tablet, and mobile.<h2>2. Sign up for a diversity and inclusion training</h2>Back in March, there was no way of predicting just how urgent the conversation around inclusion and racial equality would become to so many businesses.To educate ourselves on better ways to support our POC team, clients, and colleagues, my entire company signed up for a virtual Diversity and Inclusion Workshop hosted by the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey. Organizations like CIANJ teach skills to help professionals make more inclusive business decisions, leverage DE&amp;I as a competitive advantage, and break down the barriers that prevent so many companies from having truly inclusive workforces.A diversity training is an excellent starting point for anyone in their ongoing journey to improving racial equity.<h2>3. Explore new business streams</h2>When the pandemic hit and millions of workers were tasked with working from home, I realized I had a wealth of experience in a territory that so many were entering for the first time, as I'd already been a WFH entrepreneur for the better part of a decade.My team and I immediately produced a "video call best practices" webinar — and sold it to dozens of companies, including the team at Northern Trust Bank. And because so many small business owners are now exploring new avenues to get the word out about their virtual products and services, we're planning a social media workshop for beginners this fall.Now is the time to explore the adjacent business streams you can create to serve new customers — or better yet, existing ones.<h2>4. Wear some new work hats </h2>As a digital agency, the list of services our clients asked us to help them with during the pandemic was long.From crisis social media communications, to video call training, to teaching clients the fine art of live streaming as a replacement for in-person events, we amped up our service offerings to existing clients, while simultaneously adding more value to our client-provider relationships.We also had the chance to work on social good campaigns — like the anti-racism movement We Got You — with our client, NBA player Patty Mills, which earned <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/31/sports/basketball/spurs-patty-mills.html">national media recognition</a>. Take time to reassess your customers' additional needs, and develop a plan to deliver on them.<h2>5. Become a thought leader</h2>As someone who built a six-figure business while working from home over the last decade, I began reaching out to media outlets, asking if their readers might be interested in hearing my best practices about how to maximize productivity — while minimizing time and money. In one month, I was able to secure and publish four thought leadership articles for various publications.My <keyword id="70503" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="advice">advice</keyword>: Consider your own area of expertise — even if it's telling a story about a challenge-turned-opportunity. From there, explore what publications, platforms, or audiences would want to hear more about it.<h2>6. Refine your public speaking skills</h2>I step foot on about 25 stages per year (now virtual stages) — but that doesn't mean I can't get rusty.To ensure my public speaking skills remained fine-tuned in the months after the pandemic broke out, I scheduled six seminars in two months to universities across the country, from Carnegie Mellon, to Vanderbilt, to my alma mater the University of Central Florida. I taught students how to use social media to stand out to employers — and even secure internships should their existing internships be canceled or deferred as a result of the pandemic.Since most public speaking opportunities will be virtual for the foreseeable future, booking a virtual talk is a great opportunity to grease your wheels, when it comes to public speaking.<h2>7. Reimagine your branded assets</h2>In addition to redesigning our website, we also tapped our graphic designer to overhaul some very overdue branded assets, including our company logo, one-sheet, client proposals, contracts, slideshare presentation, and invoice template. (Next up: Email signature.)Refining your branded assets will ensure you're ready to go with the best version of your business, when business picks back up.<h2>8. Network with people who have the same job title as you</h2>Many of us consider people who have the same job title as us as competitors. But why not also look at them as peers?In the ever-changing world of social media, I'll be the first to admit that I can use all the help I can get staying on top of digital trends and new products (Instagram Reels, anyone?).To better stay in the mix, last month, I started a 12-person social media collective of fellow strategists, <keyword id="53533" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="entrepreneurs">entrepreneurs</keyword>, and experts to both network with and partner with to stay on top of our industry's changes.<h2>9. Give back</h2>Back in March, I <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-help-your-business-succeed-in-slow-period-2020-3#8-give-back-to-your-community-8">interviewed Impact Consulting CEO Lucy Sorrentini</a> about the top tasks her company was doing during this period, and her answer surprised me."While a pandemic might feel like a counterintuitive time for a small business to be giving back, it's actually the best time," Sorrentini said.As a small business who hasn't suffered a tremendous loss this year, we too wanted to do our part in giving back to other small business owners. To do this, back in March, we committed to gifting products each month that help entrepreneurs flourish while working from home. From <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_k12pCnUAa/">government-grade WiFi</a> to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CB3O7DfH1RG/">a Tom Hanks-approved office chair</a>, the feeling of knowing we've helped a small business owner, even in some small way, is the highlight of my day.<h2>10. Get your legal matters in order</h2>Does your website have a custom privacy policy? How about terms and conditions?While most corporations can confidently answer these questions with a "yes," most of my fellow small business friends would panic at this line of questioning.A great solution for creative entrepreneurs is <a href="https://creativecontracts.co/">Creative Contracts</a>, a digital hub that sells editable templates that you can easily add to your website or legal documents. For $199, we just bought the DIY Website Bundle, which includes privacy policies, website terms, swipe copy, disclaimers and disclosures.<h2>11. Apply for forgiveness if you've received a small business loan</h2>So you got your PPP loan! Now what?While the forgiveness process differs from lender to lender, the SBA website offers <a href="https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/PPP%20Loan%20Forgiveness%20FAQs%208-4-20.pdf">a helpful Q&amp;A</a> for those of us who received loans (thank you very much) and will now be applying for forgiveness.<h2>12. Nail your company structure – and culture </h2>If you're in a position of leadership, take this time to ditch the tangibles — the ping pong table, cafeteria, or ice cream truck — and give employees the kind of workplace benefits they really want: trust, flexibility and better work-life balance.Does every call need to be a video call? Is an 8:00 a.m. meeting ideal, if three of your team members have to sign their kids into their online schools at that time? Do your employees <a href="https://www.speakfully.com/">have a digital hub where they can go</a> to air grievances, should challenges come up?Now is the time to incentivize employees with the things they truly need — not the things you thought they needed.

You Searched For "desktop for wfh" and got 10 results

Affordable over-ear headphone for your work desk in India

BI India Bureau

One in three call centres in India to switch permanently to WFH

IANS

People have started 'fake commuting' because they crave the alone time they used to get on their way to the office - and experts say it's a smart idea

Akanksha Singh

Central government employees in India may be allowed to work from home for 15 days a year after lockdown

PTI

COVID-19 impact: More staff in services sector cos to work from home in future as well

PTI

18-20 lakh employees of IT companies to work from home in India

BI India Bureau

Coronavirus: 18-20 lakh employees of IT companies to work from home

PTI

Telegram lets users adds profile videos, send 2GB files and more

BI India Bureau

Marketing in the times of COVID-19: Acer

Karuna Sharma

An entrepreneur and social media expert with over 100,000 followers revitalized her business in 12 ways during the pandemic

Natalie Zfat