The increasing number of remote workers in Australia means that there are more people working outside the office than ever before. Remote work is slowly becoming the norm. More and more teams are choosing to work remotely, and for a good reason: It’s convenient for employees and employers alike in this coronavirus outbreak.
Whether you’re a small team or a large company, there are many benefits to working remotely. But, there’s also one disadvantage; many companies don’t seem to communicate well – they don’t have a strategy for managing remote teams.
But there are a few key ways to ensure that a remote team doesn’t succumb to low morale.
So, how do you maintain a productive environment while working remotely? If you’re a manager, you might be interested in the strategies outlined in this post. If you’re an employee, you should definitely read this article. The benefits of this arrangement are numerous, but it’s not perfect.
And if you are an entrepreneur, you may have experienced first-hand the challenges of working remotely. Even today, with technology making it easier to work remotely than ever, it’s still difficult to work away from your team.
But you don’t have to go back to the office just to keep your employees motivated and happy — some tried, and true strategies can help.
Here are 6 tips that will help you get your remote team on the same page.
The biggest obstacle of working remotely is inevitably going to be productivity and morale. It’s your job as a remote team manager to make sure your team stays focused and happy.
You’ll also need the right tools to stay connected, and you’ll need to work on your management skills so you can lead effectively from a distance.
- Know your employer’s remote work policies: When seeking to work remotely, it’s essential first to know the company’s policies. It’s easy to talk a good game when applying for the job and then back out when the new reality becomes apparent.
- Managers, tell your team how they can reach you: It’s imperative for managers to understand that effective communication is essential to building positive relationships with their team. The ability to communicate at all hours is what separates a good manager from an excellent one.
- Tell your team when they can reach you: It’s great that you have a variety of different methods for your team to contact you. Businesses and managers must be accessible to the team. The more guidance and boundaries you provide, the fewer misunderstandings will occur, and the more smoothly work can stay on track.
- Keep up more casual communication habits: One of the best ways to keep your networking connections active is to keep those casual communication habits going. You know the things that come in handy for keeping in touch with your professional connections; a quick email with a question or problem or a phone call to say thank you. You’re probably already doing these things. But are you doing them regularly?
- Promptly return emails, calls, and voice mails: If you are in leadership, you can’t afford to neglect to respond to emails, phone calls, and voice mail messages. When you keep your customers and employees waiting for a response, your company is at risk of losing customers, getting bad PR, or losing a sale.
- Resolve issues quickly with a phone call: High performing teams are highly effective at resolving conflict and working through issues as a team. They are skilled at picking up on problems when they arise and quickly addressing them before things escalate.
Conclusion
One of the biggest challenges that people face in a remote team is creating a sense of belonging. Creating and maintaining a virtual community is one of the most defining and unique features of an effective remote team. The secret to this level of engagement is founded upon trust, productivity, communication, and collaboration.
Suggested Read: Online Meeting Etiquette for Attendees Who are Remote
Disclaimer:
The information presented on the VET Resources blog is for general guidance only. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the information. VET Resources is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Always consult a professional for advice tailored to your circumstances.