Managing a remote team can be tough, you’ve got to improve your communication, motivate your staff, and keep your business culture alive. To help you along the way, check out these five productivity hacks to improve your remote workforce.
1. Top Communication Tools
First up, you’ll need plenty of communication tools to help you succeed. Here are a few options to get you started:
- Zoho Cliq: The Zoho Cliq platform combines various communication options including video, voice and instant messaging. You can make use of multiple communication channels at the same time, so there is zero downtime and maximum productivity. With the Zoho Cliq platform you’ll improve your remote communication in no time.
- Asana: Asana is one of the leading project management tools; using this tool, you can improve the collaboration process for your remote team. With Asana, you can share details, set deadlines, assign tasks and much more.
- Beekeeper: Beekeeper is a great communication solution, helping your team to share files, content and docs. Beekeeper provides a simple but effective real-time messaging, so that you can stay in touch, from wherever.
2. Keep Your Company Culture Strong
Businesses with a strong company culture tend to have happier employees and more successful branding. To keep your company culture strong when working remotely, consider the following ideas:
- Virtual quizzes: Virtual quizzes are an excellent way to keep your culture alive; you could even try offering digital vouchers as prizes!
- Virtual lunches: Just because you’re working remotely it doesn’t mean you can’t have a team lunch, simply arrange to have lunch in the world of Zoom.
- Offer resources: Invite your team to request any additional resources they need to complete their work from home. Whether it’s software or furniture, helping your team to make a remote transition will ensure that you boost morale.
3. Regular Meetings
When you’re working remotely, it’s more important than ever to improve your communication. Hold regular meetings, both team meetings and one-to-one. Ask your team for feedback on your remote comms processes, and then use this feedback to make improvements where you can. Remember, not all of your team will be suited to a remote working style, so it’s important to give them time to adjust.
4. Encourage Independence
Check-in with your team often but do not be tempted to micro-manage or enforce an overbearing schedule. One of the main challenges of working from home is time management, and you need to let people find a regime that works for them personally. There are a few time management apps that may help including Focus Keeper, Toggl and Todoist.
5. Improve Your Own Set-Up
If you want to manage your remote team well, you’ve got to improve your own work from home set up. With the right workspace and tools you’ll produce your best work, and inspire the same from your team! It can be distracting if you don’t have a designated workspace at home, but there’s always the option to create one. Whether it’s an extension on your house or building a garden office, ensure that you choose the best Architects that you can find.
