10 Best Practices for Managing Your Remote Workers
Posted July 14th, 2020
Many company leaders are just now experiencing what it’s like to manage a remote workforce. However, there’s a decent chance that at least some of your employees will be working from home for the foreseeable future. As a result, managers need to find ways to enhance the experience, boost productivity, and otherwise keep their remote workers on target. If you want to make sure your team can thrive, here are ten best practices that can help.
1. Encourage Socializing
In the office, there are plenty of natural opportunities for socializing. But, once everyone starts working remotely, that goes away. Since personal connections can bolster productivity, make space for socialization. This can include chatting at the beginning of video meetings, having a channel on your communication platform for casual discussions, or anything in a similar vein.
2. Simplify Collaboration
For a remote team to excel, collaboration needs to be simple. Use a communication platform that centralizes messaging, video conferencing, and file-sharing to make staying in touch easy.
3. Choose Video Calls
Being able to speak with and see a person makes a difference. When you need to discuss something with employees, favor video calls over other platforms. Additionally, consider scheduling weekly check-in video calls, ensuring you can have a conversation regularly.
4. Think Availability
When your employees reach out, respond quickly. That keeps the flow of information moving. Plus, it lets them know that you’re there for them, which can be important if working outside of a traditional office is new.
5. Have Team Meetings
If you want to make sure team members stay in touch, schedule regular team video calls. This lets everyone see each other and share information, both of which can be critical for morale and productivity.
6. Invest in Equipment
With video calls being so important, make sure you have a webcam and microphone with good video and audio quality. If your team can’t see you clearly or understand what you’re saying, the experience is frustrating instead of beneficial.
7. Provide Training
Many professionals are working from home for the first time. Take the time to offer training to ensure they know how to use the various tools that will be critical for their success.
8. Have a Formal Policy
Setting clear expectations is a must when you’re managing a remote workforce. Create a policy that outlines critical points like attendance, check-in, and other requirements that can keep things running smoothly.
9. Be Compassionate
Many workers are experiencing challenges due to COVID-19. Try to be compassionate if one of your employees is having trouble, offering support and flexibility whenever possible.
10. Focus on Transparency
These are unprecedented times, and many professionals are concerned about their futures. Make sure you are as open as possible about the state of the company and any upcoming changes to work norms. Even if all of the news isn’t good, keeping them informed builds trust. That’s critical for morale, productivity, and long-term success.
Contact Us Today to Learn More
If you’d like to learn more about managing your team, the staff at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us today and see how our remote workforce management expertise can benefit you.
