Remote work has transitioned from a temporary phenomenon to a fundamental aspect of organizational structures. The impact of COVID-19 prompted the relocation of work-to-home environments to sustain company productivity. Preceding the lockdown measures, remote work was perceived as unconventional, with numerous companies hesitant to adopt it into their operational ethos.
Employee management largely revolved around in-person observation within office premises. Managers traditionally linked employee productivity to desk hours. Presently, the realization is that productivity is not inherently tied to physical presence. Here are seven strategies for organizations to support a remote workforce and facilitate seamless operations.
Consider Investing in Remote Training
An appropriate intranet layout integrated with an LMS acts as a central training hub, encompassing activities from initial onboarding to continuous professional growth and skill development.
For employees operating from home, there may be instances where they perceive their career advancement as stagnant. However, having a dedicated strategy for remote learning and development can dispel this perception.
Remote staff can progress through courses at their speed, effortlessly locate relevant resources, and access pertinent team information for personalized support on their learning journey. This efficient approach to remote learning safeguards the future readiness of your workforce, regardless of whether remote work is a temporary measure or a long-standing strategy.
Embrace Technology Tools
Using a range of technology tools can promote teamwork and boost efficiency. Project management systems, online whiteboards, and file-sharing applications go beyond physical limitations, connecting remote team members. For instance, platforms such as Asana, Trello, and Miro support instant collaboration on projects, no matter the distance separating team members.
For a stable connection, MU-MIMO is an option for remote members. Mu-mimo improves bandwidth allocation and increases network capacity, making it a great addition to your technology arsenal.
Document Everything
Managing remote teams can become highly intricate very quickly. Moving project operations from a physical setting to a virtual one can result in crucial steps and tasks being overlooked. Relying solely on mental recollection of workflows, roles, and processes is insufficient for effectively managing remote teams. The most effective approach to maintaining and improving team productivity is thorough documentation that is readily accessible to all remote staff. Develop detailed documents that offer comprehensive breakdowns of the tasks required, their timelines, and the individuals accountable for them. This may include:
- Checklists and templates for regular tasks
- Playbooks delving deeply into project protocols and procedures
- Flowcharts illustrating actions to take in dynamic situations
- Forms for documenting vital information with clear instructions for completion
Store these documents on a shared platform with specified access permissions to ensure easy accessibility for team members. This can minimize bottlenecks and facilitate efficient task completion among team members.
Utilize a Subtle Instant Messaging Platform
Platforms like Slack or Skype offer the functionality to engage in real-time, current messaging about pressing issues impacting your team. This may involve receiving client feedback, updates on your company’s operations, or other matters influencing ongoing projects.
While having stationary platforms for document sharing and messaging is beneficial, utilizing an instant messaging platform provides greater immediacy when handling urgent issues. Communicate clearly to your team the purpose of this platform: it’s not intended for constant managerial monitoring to ensure work is being done. Instead, it serves as a means for them to reach out for support when needed.
Position it as a tool for swift communication among team members or with you. It’s perfectly acceptable if team members are not always actively using the platform; they can be occupied with other tasks and are not expected to be glued to their computers around the clock. However, offering them the capability for quick access to leadership can enhance their comfort level during the shift to remote work.
Propose the Idea of Accountability Partners
In a scenario with a large team, it’s improbable to continuously monitor every individual, as this approach can border on micromanagement. Nevertheless, cultivating a culture of accountability among team members remains crucial. Initially, ensuring everyone remains focused is paramount.
Consider introducing the concept of accountability partners within your team. This initiative involves team members pairing up to support each other and address queries during the workday.
While these partnerships may not address all requests or queries, they are vital in handling significant issues and ensuring task adherence. As the manager, this system allows you to steer clear of frequent availability check-ins, as accountability partners monitor each other and collectively strive towards achieving performance targets. Should a partner need to step away or address a personal matter, they can inform their counterpart without disrupting the team’s overall workflow.
Arrange One-on-one Meetings When Necessary
When team meetings conducted via video conferencing are essential for gathering extensive status updates across various projects and team members, addressing individual issues with specific team members can present a challenge.
Particularly when a team member is leading a critical project and requires a detailed discussion, involving the entire team may not be necessary. Some team members may also prefer privacy when sharing updates or posing specific questions.
Consider arranging one-on-one video conferences with team members to address these situations effectively as needed. These personalized sessions can be scheduled regularly or ad hoc to discuss individual tasks or projects. Initially, you might opt for weekly sessions as your team transitions to remote work, gradually adjusting the frequency as required.
Establish a Routine For Your “Heat Check” Meetings
One of the primary challenges faced in remote work is the risk that your employees may experience feelings of isolation or lack of support. Without the personal interactions and team spirit found in an office environment, they might feel undervalued or unheard.
To address this issue, consider setting up a weekly “heat check” meeting for sharing status updates. This regular gathering allows everyone to come together, discuss updates, and tackle issues collectively. While conducting such meetings via a conference call is an option, video conferencing can foster a stronger connection by enabling visual interaction.
When preparing the meeting agenda, ensure each team member has equal time to discuss their key points. Encourage participants to focus on issues relevant to the entire group or areas where they seek feedback.
Endnote
Diverse team-building initiatives and transparency are key in fostering stronger relationships, particularly when face-to-face interactions are limited for employees. Ensuring access to the right tools and technologies drives optimal productivity. Tailoring checklists to different job roles can prevent productivity setbacks resulting from tool unavailability. Remote teams should have well-defined expectations and receive consistent feedback to align their efforts effectively.
