If you’re a manager working with remote employees, then you know that there are a number of important things that you need to do to ensure that your team is functioning effectively and meeting deadlines.
It is important to ensure that working from home does not affect your employee’s experience with your organization. Using tools like UKG Pro, which has been inherently designed to improve employee experience and engagement could definitely help here.
In this article, we’ll outline the seven most important things that you need to keep in mind if you want your remote team to be successful. By following these tips, you’ll be able to keep everyone on track and ensure that projects are delivered on time.
1. Establish clear communication policies and procedures
One of the most important things that a manager can do to ensure success for their remote team is to establish clear communication policies and procedures.
This will help to protect both parties involved in the communication process – you’ll be able to avoid misunderstandings, while your employees are able to stay organized and prioritize their work.
Make sure that all messages are properly sent/received, clearly marked with either an email address or a simple reference number so that everyone knows where they stand.
2. Create deadlines and keep track of progress
Another key element of effective communication is setting deadlines and keeping track of progress. This will help both parties to stay focused, get their work done on time, and avoid potential mistakes.
Make sure that all deadlines are communicated clearly in advance so that everyone is aware of what’s expected from them.
And always keep a close eye on the progress of each project – if there are any delays or issues, be sure to let your employees know as soon as possible so that they can adjust their schedules accordingly.
3. Offer support and encouragement
One thing that you can do to encourage your remote team is to offer support and encouragement. This will help to keep everyone focused on their goals, and feeling motivated – which is essential if they’re hoping to achieve results.
Be sure to periodically check in with your employees, give them positive feedback, and remind them of the team’s collective goal.
And if there are any issues or problems along the way, be willing to provide assistance as needed.
4. Offset the Impact of Technology Problems
Technology problems can be a huge obstacle to success when working remotely. That’s why it’s important to offset the impact of technical problems as much as possible.
This means providing your employees with adequate training and guidelines, ensuring that all tools and platforms are properly set up, and providing support in case of any glitches or issues.
One of the best ways to provide training is to use LMS tools. Not only can these tools help you manage employee workflow and performance, but they can also help you offset the impact of technology problems.
In addition, be sure to keep abreast of new technology developments and make use of them where possible. This will help you stay ahead of the curve, and minimize the impact that tech issues have on your remote team’s productivity.
5. Encourage face-to-face Collaboration
Face-to-face collaboration is still an important element of many companies’ remote working strategies. That’s because it helps to improve communication and build trust between team members.
Providing your employees with the opportunity to meet in person occasionally can also provide a sense of celebrations, milestones, and overall positive momentum.
It can also help to develop new skills and capabilities that would be difficult or impossible to achieve via email or other electronic channels. So make use of face-to-face meetings as often as possible – not just when there’s a problem to be solved.
6. Create a Positive Remote Work Culture
Positive remote work culture is critical if you want your team to be successful. That’s because it provides the environment and infrastructure that allow employees to thrive in a collaborative environment.
In addition, it encourages employees to take on additional responsibilities and learn new skills – regardless of where they are located. And finally, it creates an overall sense of community and camaraderie within the remote team.
So create a supportive culture from the ground up by fostering an open dialogue about expectations, creating clear hierarchies and job descriptions, and delivering consistent and unambiguous communication. Doing so will go a long way in ensuring that your remote team’s productivity and morale stay high.
7. Encourage Flexible Working Arrangements
Another key element of successful remote work culture is flexibility. That’s because it allows team members to arrange their working lives in a way that meets their needs and preferences.
So encourage your employees to embrace flexible working arrangements by providing them with the tools they need to manage their time effectively.
This might include electronic time management systems, online meeting rooms, or dedicated apps for communication and collaboration.
And make sure you’re open-minded about what types of flexible working arrangements are acceptable – even if some of your team members are used to working in a more traditional office setting.
That way, everyone will feel comfortable and productive while working remotely.
Conclusion
In case you have a remote employee, then these simple strategies can help you create the right work environment where they feel happy and motivated to do their best.
But trust us when we say that any mistakes or issues can easily impact their productivity and affect your business results. So, make sure all of them are there to give them the support that they deserve.