At the start of the pandemic, remote work seemed like it wouldn’t work.
Technology and logistics were some of the main obstacles that we soon learned to overcome or work around.
While remote work continues to pose challenges as it becomes more of a mainstay, many businesses have success stories about how well their employees do working from home. At the same time, there are some things they wish they can improve and build on.
As you manage your remote workforce, here are eight useful tips that will keep your team productive and inspired each day.
Start with people
It’s all about getting the right team in place.
If you already have a stellar team then there’s little to worry about. As you bring on new folks, make sure to ask them how they like remote work.
While remote work is trending upward, not all job applicants will agree it’s for them. That’s why it’s important to be upfront during the hiring process about your work-from-home expectations.
Know the challenges
Recognize that remote work is challenging, as your own setup might not be the same as your employees.
By walking a day in your employees’ shoes, you can learn about the key challenges and how to best tackle them.
From home office space to internet connectivity and time management issues at home, learn as much as you can about your team’s stumbling blocks and address them with creativity and compassion.
Equip your team
When you understand the needs of all employees, you can more effectively deliver the tools they need to succeed.
With your support, your employees’ home offices can duplicate the in-office setting as much as possible.
Laptops, peripherals, development courses, ergonomic support and the like will help your employees thrive.
Give employees flexibility
Instead of being in the office from 9 to 5, workers are home 24/7. So, go ahead and give your team the options on some of their work hours.
Take advantage of the time flexibility and offer employees a chance to carve out their own schedules as long as it’s not disruptive to business operations.
This flexibility can increase productivity and enhance the work-life balance of your employees.
Don’t overload
The disadvantage of not always being in the same room as your employees is that you’re not always sure if the workload is at an acceptable level.
At the same time, employers shouldn’t overload their employees, especially if they’re new.
Do your best to assign the workload accordingly and ensure that your line of communication is active so everyone is on the same page.
Try various communications tools
If your employees feel like you’re accessible, then you’re most likely to iron out issues before they escalate.
Don’t leave any of your staff members on the sidelines and learn about their communication preferences.
Some might prefer text message, or one-on-one calls, video calls or instant message on Teams or Slack.
Monitor progress
Switching to remote work will naturally give rise to productivity struggles.
As a manager or owner of a small business it is incumbent upon you to motivate workers and track their progress.
Regular check-ins and time-tracking tools can help staff identify areas where they need improvement and where they excel.
Acknowledge good work
An office party might be hard to do, but you can still celebrate milestones and achievement.
Give kudos for a job well done with a special email, video call or other form of recognition. This can also be a regular thing that’s announced during a monthly call. It gives employees something to look forward to.
If you need any help with your small business, make sure to consider us. We have a wide variety of services that can help small businesses streamlines processes and be more productive.