Many small business owners are opting for a virtual workforce nowadays. As your business starts to grow, you’ll need the resources to keep up with demand.
You have more flexibility with recruitment and can take on more highly-skilled professionals, without the need for training. You can outsource entire departments to third party agencies and free up some of your time to scale your business.
There are therefore many benefits to hiring a virtual team, but it’s still important to keep them motivated and build a good working relationship. Here are 5 tips on recruiting and managing a virtual team.
Get organised
First things first, make a plan. Take a look at your business objectives and find the gaps in your resources. Make a prioritized list of tasks you need to delegate, and areas you would like to expand in.
There are many useful suggestions online to help managers decide which tasks to delegate. This will help you focus on which industry experts you need to hire.
Use freelance platforms
There are plenty of freelance platforms available online such as TRS Staffing which facilitate contact with potential employees. You’ll have access to a wider talent pool virtually, so this is a great opportunity.
Be clear about any job requirements and do your research before getting started. Consider the timeframe of projects and hire to fit these, rather than ongoing services.
Develop a rapport
As your team begins to grow, you’ll become more experienced in the recruitment process. You’ll then be able to develop a rapport with staff and offer them an incentive to continue working with you.
Aim to maintain professional interactions to help build trusting working relationships. It’s a good idea to start small, however, and build familiarity. Take the time to take an interest in their personal dreams and professional goals. Always listen to their suggestions and make them feel valued.
Treat them as if they were in-house
Treat your virtual employees with the same respect you would in-house staff. Be sure to establish clear expectations and boundaries and policies for evaluating performance.
Create a reward system and offer further opportunities for good performance. It’s important to engage your team and create interest in your business in order to keep your team inspired and motivated. You can even involve them in team-building activities online.
Communication is key
Communication is the key to successfully managing your virtual team. Taking into account the time difference if they’re international, you should schedule a daily meeting when both of you are available to discuss plans and feedback on current projects.
There are plenty of ways you can motivate them remotely as well. For example, try giving them thorough and constructive feedback followed by rewards for any improvements.
Don’t neglect your remote workforce just because you’re not in the same physical office. Advances in communication mean there’s no reason why you can’t be reachable any time anywhere. By keeping contact as regular as possible, you’ll be able to successfully recruit and manage a virtual team.
- DISCLOSURE – This post has been written by an outside source
