In the last five years, the workplace has changed significantly, and at the heart of this change is the introduction of remote work across a wide range of industries. Like many companies, yours may have adopted videoconferencing with professional Teams backgrounds. However, consider these tips to help you successfully manage your remote workers.
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Set and Share Your Productivity Standards
Your staff, whether they are remote or in-person, need to understand exactly what you want from them. You need to make sure they know the level of productivity you expect. While you may have some that have unique productivity requirements, others may have similar standards. Create documentation that outlines these expectations, and make sure your staff members understand them.
Learn About Remote Work Challenges
Although some of your remote staff members have quiet, organized workspaces, others will not. Therefore, you should understand that some of your staff may have significant distractions. They may also have restricted office space at home.
Most remote workers also experience video fatigue from consistent video calls. Therefore, consider allowing them to turn of their cameras when they aren’t speaking, and use other communication methods to add variety. However, make sure you keep them informed and answer their questions quickly.
Your remote staff may also feel disconnected from you, the company and their coworkers because they lack face-to-face interactions. You can find several tools to increase engagement and social interaction, including virtual happy hours and in-person get-togethers.
Having Check-Ins
Like all your employees, your remote staff needs accountability. Therefore, you should have them check in regularly. When they start projects, give them benchmarks and deadlines and outline a process where they check in to share their progress. You can also use metrics for those who don’t have new projects but complete the same or similar daily tasks.
You can use videoconferencing software with an office background for Zoom or seek an email update. You can also ask your staff to provide you with copies of what they have completed.
Open Communications
Communication is key when you work in and manage remote teams. However, communication can be more challenging. Things change quickly in business settings, and your staff needs to know about the changes that impact them as quickly as possible. Therefore, create a communication plan to keep your team informed. Also, request feedback and give it regularly. In fact, you should over-communicate.
Provide Appropriate Tools and Software
Everyone in your team needs specific tools. They don’t just need a computer and videoconferencing software with the right office background. They need other communication tools, such as instant messengers, email accounts and phone access, as well as software so they can do their jobs. They may also need corporate stationery and mailing supplies.
Make sure they have any templates for presentations or work documents they need. Finally, don’t forget to give them your policy and procedures manuals and any training assets they need to do their jobs properly.
If your staff need to print anything, give them access to local copy shop accounts or provide them with printing equipment, paper and ink. You may also need to provide reliable internet.
These are just a few tips to successfully manage your remote staff. Test them and research additional strategies to create a well-oiled, successful remote team.
