Many business owners have been faced with the task of managing a remote team due to today’s circumstances. You may feel overwhelmed and like you have no control over the situation. The way the world is evolving it is important that you adapt quickly.
1. Check-Ins
Implement a daily check-in at first so that team members get accustomed to meeting virtually. The meeting should take place on a platform such as zoom where you can see each other using video chat. Having a face-to-face interaction is important when establishing a team environment remotely. During the meeting you should talk about the overview of important tasks for the business. As you see your team members get more comfortable working from home you can have check-ins less frequently.
2. Instant Messaging
Using chat software allows team members to communicate quickly with co-workers. This kind of communication is less formal than emails and used for quick questions or even a quick chat between co-workers to check in. There are a vast variety of software apps out there, the popular ones are Microsoft teams, Slack, and Twist.
3. Flexibility
Many of your employees may be running on different schedules due to the changes that have occurred. The standard 9 to 5 schedule does not work for most, therefore you should consider being a little more flexible with the window of work hours. Many people may have to log on earlier or stay on a little later in order to complete their work. This freedom allows employees to do their work when they are the most productive.
4. Use Technology to Track Work
There are many tools out there that you can use in order to track your remote team’s work. This kind of technology allows you to delegate work, track projects, and organize everything under one roof. Some tools that have these capabilities are Hubstaff, Clarizen, Zoho Projects, Asana, and Trello.
5. Use Objectives
Once your employees begin to work remotely, their roles in the company might start to feel distant to them. It is important to emphasize often employee objectives and how their work contributes to the company as a whole. Employees want to feel like they are part of a larger mission and important. If you communicate their roles, employees will feel encouragement and work more effectively towards their goals.