Work-from-home and remote teams are here to stay. It saves business resources and brings convenience along with flexibility to your employees. However, communication, coordination, and collaboration with a remote team may be a challenge. Let’s figure out how you can tackle those challenges and successfully manage your remote team.
1. Communicate on hyperdrive
When your team is working in the same physical location, it’s easy for anyone to communicate with each other when there’s a problem. For instance, if the digital marketing team has technical difficulties, they can reach out to the development team in the next room. Employees can walk into the manager’s room to share complex problems and ask for resolutions. With a remote team, smooth communication becomes a significant hurdle.
Communication is the prime foundation of any business and you need to ensure it remains hassle-free in your organization. Consider creating a communication strategy and create a system where teams can reserve “chunks” of your time throughout the day for important meetings. Don’t shy away from video calls since seeing your colleagues and employees helps preserve the sense of community.
2. Invest in the right tools
Even small businesses with brick-and-mortar shops are adopting technology to increase efficiency and expand their reach. Tech is vital for remote teams and you need to invest in the right tools to maintain a streamlined workflow. For instance, you need dedicated project management software to assign tasks to your employees and maintain a straightforward workflow.
You also need the right communication tools that allow safe communication with sensitive company data. Project management software like Trello and SmartSheet and communication software like Slack are indispensable for remote teams.
3. Set clear expectations from the start
As a manager or a business owner, you must have some expectations from your team. Assuming that everyone comprehends their responsibilities in a remote environment solely based on their records of meeting expectations in a traditional office would be incorrect. That’s why you should set your expectations clearly and early on.
For instance, your employees or team members should know how quickly they should respond to messages. You should set clear goals for work hours and availability and make sure that they meet project deadlines.
4. Be empathetic and flexible
You can pick up on visual cues and figure out if an employee is uncomfortable or feels isolated when you see them in person. However, you don’t have that luxury in a remote setting. The overall well-being of your employees should always be your top priority. An employee may be feeling down in your team or having a hard time reaching out to you with unexpected problems.
Don’t miss those clues during daily video meetings. Empathize with your team members and encourage them to share feedback and suggestions for improving productivity or making remote working easier. Don’t be too strict and uptight either. Allow your employees to take a short break to make a cup of coffee or go on a short walk after pinging you with a short message.
Some business owners and managers view the increasing demand for remote working as a hurdle while others see it as an opportunity. These strategies help you successfully manage remote teams and shoot down problems. Remote working doesn’t just save cost but can help your employees maintain a work-life balance and keep them more productive. Some of the largest organizations like Airbnb, Google, Reddit, and Shopify have embraced remote work and you may benefit by doing the same.
Amilia Brown is a seasoned business writer & strategist who simplifies complex business concepts and turn them into engaging narratives. As a trusted business writer, she delivers actionable insights with precision.
