Remote work management can be tricky. The distinctions between managing and being managed can blur quickly. In a traditional work environment, it’s easy to see who your boss is–it’s the person you have seen most often, the one with whom you interact on a regular basis. It gets more difficult when you have only their voices over the phone or via email. These are five ways to keep remote workers on the right track.
It is all about communication when it comes to remote worker management.. You can decide how your remote employees will communicate with you. But there are four communication options you should know: phone, email instant messaging, video conferencing, and instant messaging. Each one of these communication options has its pros and cons, so you might find one that is more appropriate for you.
For example, instant messaging allows for very quick exchanges of information but only when both parties are online at the same time – not a great option if one of your employees is on vacation in Bali when you need something done quickly.
There are many ways to convey information. – whether it is your request for a specific piece of work or some general questions about how the employee is getting on. Because you don’t have face-to-face contact, it is very easy to forget that an email, for instance, might not make much sense without a little backstory.
Send an email, for example, with the subject line “Hi” probably isn’t going to get read if there was no prior contact and no introduction of any kind.
Although you won’t have these face-to-face cues when managing remote employees, you can still develop rapport through body language and intonation in their voice. You can look at your screen and ask questions while they speak, so you don’t have to miss a moment.
Management of remote workers is another important aspect. How can you ensure that they don’t fall behind? Most people begin work with an idea of the timeline required to complete a large task. If this deadline is too short, it can cause problems in productivity.
And even if these projects are being completed effectively, it’s essential for your team to know that there is no deadline pressure and this can be broken down into several smaller tasks to keep everyone focused on their goals.
It’s also important to manage people in remote work with humor. If your team has decided to call you on Skype, then it’s normal for them to be a little distracted and flippant about the subject. They should be aware of the boundaries, regardless if they break the ice with a joke and are still working towards their goals.
When employees have more autonomy and control, they will be more willing to take initiative.They might be more productive when they feel like they’re doing the right thing and not being hampered by their bosses. You must be able to set your own goals and manage your deadlines.
You can check in with them by actively asking questions at the end. While it may seem like a hassle for you to send another email so that you know what’s going on, it can make a huge difference to how well-managed and productive these remote workers are feeling.
Face-to-Face Communication
The most important thing, however, is face-toface communicationYou can reach out to others by phone, video conferencing or even in person meetings, provided that everyone is fully aware of the situation. It helps to be available to discuss any issues.
Prepare a contingency plan for any eventuality. Also, establish clear expectations right from the beginning. Examine your information flow together. This means scripting requests and sending them out ahead of time so that people can be proactive about checking their work before they submit it – this will also help manage your own workload and protect against overworking people.
Remote management is more than managing people. Make it clear that you are more than happy to answer questions, and don’t be afraid to give yourself a break. Your employees will do their best to help you, as long as they know you are there for them.
Many employers offer flexibility in the workplace as a perk to their employees. Flexibility has been proven to increase productivity, employee happiness, and some governments offer benefits for flexible work hours and flexible working locations.
Do you need to create a remote workspace? These are some tools that you can use to set up a remote workspace.
Webcams – Webcams and video conferencing are perfect for face-to-face meetings. Many webcams have microphones! And we all know how important it is to smile when you’re on camera!
Video Conferencing Software – If you want to move on from webcams, then there are plenty of options here. Skype is one example of a video conferencing program that can be used for voice-only calls.
Screen Sharing Software – If you want the best of both worlds, then try screen sharing software like Go To Meeting.
Popular remote work tools:
Google Apps – Google is one of the largest and most popular websites on the internet, and its several administrative tools can help your remote workers get more done. Google Docs allows you to share calendars and collaborate on documents with others in real-time. Google Sheets is another option for spreadsheets. You can even create formulas!
Asana – This project management software helps you keep track of all the activities you need to accomplish at work. It allows employees to see the status of their coworkers, which helps them manage their workloads more effectively.
Dropbox – This cloud storage service has earned a reputation for being very reliable and very easy to use. Remote employees can share files without worrying about their location.
Microsoft Office 2016 – Use this software to collaborate with your colleagues via email and online meetings.
Microsoft Office 365 – If you have a large organization and more than 10 people using the software, then it may be best to look at this subscription-based version instead of the standard version. You also get additional security features.
Google Sheets – Use this spreadsheet program from Google to perform calculations and analyse your data. It even includes a formula maker!
Google Docs – Collaborate on documents with colleagues or work on them by yourself. You can even view other people’s changes in real-time!
This post will teach you that culture fit is the most important aspect of recruiting. If you hire people who are not culturally compatible, all other benefits for remote workers will disappear as they will soon quit. While you can use the tools in this article to determine if someone is a good cultural match, it is best to trust your gut instincts.
