Remote work has not always been a necessity like it is today. The rise of remote work has benefitted not only employees, but organizations as a whole.
Though some companies adopted this approach years ago, many are still struggling to cope. Remote work is far different from the traditional work structure. Most business owners are still not familiar with the challenges of managing remote employees. So here are five tips to help create and manage a conducive workplace for your remote team.
Tip #1 Conduct Regular Check-ins
With remote work, both managers and their employees often express concerns about the lack of face-to-face interaction. There is the question of employee efficiency and reduced access to managerial support and communication.
To address these concerns, many successful remote managers establish regular check-ins with their remote employees. This could be a series of one-on-one calls, emails, or weekly meetings. The critical aspect is that the check-ins are regular and predictable, and a forum for employees to consult with you.
Tip #2 Establish Different Communication Channels
In any work setup, communication is vital to track deadlines, available resources, work-related challenges and expectations.
With remote work, it is crucial to consider which communication tool best fits the team culture. You can use chat for quick questions and messages, emails for non-urgent communication and project delivery, phone calls for clarifications and troubleshooting, and video chats for weekly meetings. The frequency of communication may differ among employees, so you must find a delicate balance between constantly pinging them and radio silence.
Tip #3 Get to Know Each Other
The feeling of isolation could be unavoidable when working remotely. That is why it is essential to provide opportunities for social interaction and build connections with employees.
Here are several ways to do this; you can start with the fundamentals such as leaving some time before or after meetings for personal updates from workers, establishing a chat group for non-work stuff, or even arranging essential virtual parties. While these examples may sound enforced, they can help reduce feelings of isolation and promote a sense of belonging.
Tip #4 Balance Distractions
Working with a remote team requires acknowledging that distractions while working from home are more prevalent than in an office setting. The allure of social media, pets, children, or naps do not merely cease to exist when we work remotely. Hence, it is essential to show your team that occasional distractions are inevitable and could be healthy.
Resist the urge to micromanage your team. Trust that if they communicate clearly and meet goals and deadlines, they are being productive and doing their jobs effectively.
Tip #5 Prioritize Outcomes
People have different habits and habitats that may be more conducive to productivity. Hence, instead of stipulating how work must be completed, let the outcome of your team speak for itself.
It is critical that you make yourself available for your remote team in case they need help or have questions. However, it is also important to understand that they may have their own way of completing work and delivering ideal outcomes. Over time, you will learn how they operate remotely. You can discuss what you learn with your team members to ensure they can maintain their productivity.
Toward a Successful Remote Team
There are significant potential benefits to remote work, but there are also unique challenges with managing a remote team. Hopefully, these insights will help you develop a productive workplace that meets diverse human needs. For more outsourcing tips, #AskMaquiraya.