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Think about today, and how remote work has become that much more prevalent in various fields than in years past. Business is no longer just set at one office; things can be accomplished from anywhere and at any time.
Knowing this to be the new work standard, it’s important to remember how to collaborate and communicate with colleagues, especially when the team is spread around and in different rooms. There are indeed many tools and techniques that can be utilized, of course, making the management of multiple people an easier task.
With more people working remotely, management of remote teams has become quite the challenge. This blog will list and explain some of the better practices and strategies for building an engaging and productive remote team. For past reference, visit our previous article on remote teams here.
Above and Beyond
To set your remote team up for success, as a manager, it is essential to foster a culture of collaboration. There are tools such as the Zoom app, which includes video conferencing, recording services, and screen sharing, that will provide some visual and textual assistance in teaching and growing together.
Can these tools be used in new and different ways? Certainly. Look beyond the manual so to speak, and think outside of the box. How can you keep and maintain your team’s interest and enthusiasm when using these tools? How can they be empowered to go above and beyond?
Encourage your team to have ideas. Allocate time on your calendar for one-on-one and group meetings. Host some brainstorming sessions. Free up time on your calendar for individual and team meetings and consider hosting brainstorming sessions to engage in collaborative decision-making processes. By actively involving your team in these management strategies, you can strengthen teamwork and drive innovation.
A Flexible Frontier
This modern world evolves ever so quickly, updating technology and trends like mad. The same can be said for remote team management, which can produce new problems to confront each and every week. Seamless communication, time zone issues, work-life harmony, and more are always vulnerable to change.
So, make yourself flexible to changes. Stay in the loop about new applications and technologies that could help you and your team. Set time aside to enjoy the things you love outside of work, and make sure that your team can do the same. Organize virtual activities with your team - some virtual video game sessions and movie events could do wonders for morale.
Expect the Best
Despite the relaxed nature of remote work, it’s crucial for managers to maintain their role and not blur the boundaries by trying to be overly friendly. Remote work often provides your workers with a more flexible and relaxed environment than an office setting, but remember: You are their leader and superior.
State and clarify expectations and goals every chance you get, to ensure clear understanding and alignment. Pepper your mission statement into group conversations when it feels appropriate, and reward any accomplishment with positive gestures and sentiments. These actions will be remembered by your team, fostering their motivation and commitment to personal and team success.
With careful planning and effective communication, a manager can guide their remote team to a positive work culture and a world where everyone wins. Implementing the simple tips in this blog could take some time, trial, and error, but the results will be well worth the task. A remote team can be found, but one that’s high-performing can only be built.
To learn more about how virtual and remote workers can help your business, contact us at www.milrichvirtualprofessionals.com