Remote team management comes with many challenges and a lot of advantages. Yet, like any other relatively new concept, there are things any team leader and, indeed, worker must learn to use remote work to its fullest. From check-ins to balance, here are some beneficial tactics.
Outsource On-Demand Services
Experienced managers and effective teams alike can’t really do everything. There is a place for expert teams, such as outsourced services, to step in and assist with whatever tasks your team needs. Using HR consultant firms allows you to harness the experience of dedicated professionals to assist with specific remote work concepts such as team-building and communication. This way, you can build the most effective off-site team possible for a project.
Schedule Regular Check-Ins
Being away from the office has numerous benefits for a worker. For instance, remote workers can potentially be far more productive as they access a more flexible working day. However, there are some issues reported by people working from home that can be challenging to remedy. Being at home, remote workers may not feel the benefits of social connections readily available in an office setting. Regular check-ins can help remove feelings of isolation.
Use Remote Team Management Platforms
With the right team in place and a project ready to go, you might think you have what you need. Of course, a successful project almost always relies on adequate management. Buffer’s “State of Remote Work”[1] from 2023 found that 69% of remote workers face various obstacles:
- Challenges when it comes to work-life balance.
- Feeling isolated and lonely.
- Colleague communication problems.
- A drop in productivity and motivation.
- Challenges managing distractions at home.
One of the most cited issues by employees working from home is communication with colleagues. Fortunately, many of the best project management software programs, such as Asana, Trello, and Monday, come with built-in collaboration and communication capabilities.
Be Mindful of Work-Life Balance
It can be professionally and personally unsettling for an employee to begin remote work. One of the biggest challenges faced by new home workers is the disruption to the work-life balance. At the best of times and with rigid structure, this can be an issue. However, some newcomers to remote work can find adapting to the unconventional paradigm of working from home a bit of a challenge. Leveraging platforms like Averro can help streamline project tracking and communication, ensuring your remote team stays aligned and productive, making it easier for employees to adjust to their new environment. Allow workers some time to adjust and offer the necessary support when they begin.
Develop a Structured Onboarding Process
Support for employees comes in many forms. Today, one of the most effective processes is onboarding. Usually reserved for new employees, you can use onboarding for candidates in new roles and positions. Of course, this also applies to remote work. Your business can develop an onboarding system that explains the necessary changes a remote worker must make, as well as issues such as cybersecurity. Yet the steps needed for support can also be included.
Summary
A company can outsource specific tasks on-demand to assist with remote team management. Of course, project management apps can help keep a team project organised and on track. Onboarding can make the whole process of adapting to remote work easier for your employees.
References
Buffer. State of Remote Work. https://buffer.com/state-of-remote-work/2023
