In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home instructions, if there is one thing we have learned, it is how to still get everything done while limited to the confines of our homes.
But for business owners and managers, covid-19 has posed yet another challenge to business survival.
Although several businesses are adapting to remote working, a study has suggested that 71% of employers struggle to adapt to the trend.
However, it is not too late if you are looking to manage your team while working from home.
These guidelines should help you effectively manage your remote employees.
Set clear goals and expectations
When it comes to getting things done, everyone knows how to quickly or efficiently do it.
However, make sure to clearly define what you expect to be done if you work with a remote team.
Setting goals and expectations will get your employees more prepared to deliver ahead of the task.
Like in your traditional workplace settings, keep your team well informed on any new changes. If possible, define each team member’s role and ensure their availability at any time needed.
Treat your remote team as local
This tip is for companies that run a shift system to ensure social distancing; ensure to treat your remote team like they are local and your locals like they are remote.
In short, grant equal access to your remote employee as much as possible. While local staff will engage you physically during breaks, lunch, or in your office, you can utilize several tech tools to engage your remote staff as well.
This way, no member of your staff will feel left out. A sense of distance between your remote team and yourself may affect their work’s quality and efficiency.
Respond to their calls and email requests as early as possible to keep them working according to schedule.
Emphasize on communication
Communication is an essential function of management if a business must achieve expected results. It has become even more critical in remote working to keep staff notified of their deadlines, available resources, work expectations, and any other work-related issues.
However, it is urgent to determine the ideal communication tool that best suits your team; for example, texting, videoing, phone calls or emails, etc.
Equip the team with the right tools
Equipping your remote team is very vital in delivering set targets and objectives.
If a member struggles to get a call through, download a file, or join a virtual meeting for a critical discussion, lack of the right tool can affect their performance.
Many teams may try to deliver everything through email, but it can be risky and problematic.
While there are many project management tools to rectify such challenges, you can check this useful tool to manage DMAIC projects by aiding in the effective delivery of files.
Trust your employees
One of the main obstacles to businesses and managers’ reluctance to embrace remote working is the uncertainty over whether their team can deliver results like they would in the office.
You can tackle this by setting remote working guidelines such as a 24-hour response time for emails, call restriction during certain hours, and the use of text messages if it’s urgent.
Setting policies will keep your employees stay focused and working according to schedule. Trusting your team with responsibilities is also a way of motivating them to deliver.
- DISCLOSURE – This post has been written by an outside source
