Whether it's a group of employees planting the company flag in new cities, members of a sales team who spend part of their time on the road, or staffers riding out a pandemic by taking care of business from their home office, remote work is likely to be with us for many years to come.
In addition to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19, remote work offers a host of benefits to employers and employees alike. Statistics compiled by research firm Global Workplace Analytics show that remote work's direct benefits include reduced attrition, improved worker satisfaction, and a lowering of overall costs. Remote work has also been shown to enhance worker productivity by as much as 40 percent. Indirect benefits include a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions thanks to fewer workers commuting to the office and an increased likelihood of business continuity in the case of natural disaster or other circumstance that might impede workers' ability to make it into the office.
Still, remote work isn't without its challenges. Without daily face-to-face contact, managing a remote team can be a difficult task. How can managers keep remote workers focused and productive? How can they keep tabs on the team without inadvertently creating an atmosphere of distrust? And most importantly, how can they foster morale and enthusiasm, making them feel like part of the team?
Here are five tips on how to manage a remote team:
1: PROVIDE WORKERS WITH THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY
Companies can achieve significant savings by having employees work from home. Along with the bottom-line boosts that come from lower attrition and improved productivity, they can also cut back on rent and utilities expenses. It only makes sense to take some of that savings and invest it into the remote workforce to ensure those workers have the tools they need to do their jobs. Yamaha UC offers a host of work from home tools that make it easy for remote workers to stay connected.
2: TRAIN WORKERS ON WHAT IT TAKES TO BE SUCCESSFUL
Working from home is a different animal than working at the office, and it can take some adjusting. Hold training sessions on how to work from home and remain productive. Along with providing the right technological tools, advise employees on planning for comfort during a day at the desk. Show them how to set up their home office, set work-life boundaries, and let them know it's okay to take a break to deal with personal issues.
3: INCLUDE REMOTE WORKERS IN COMPANY MEETINGS AND EVENTS NO MATTER HOW MINOR
Leaving remote workers out of company meetings can quickly lead to a feeling of "us vs. them" that unnecessarily complicates the task of managing a remote team. On the other hand, videoconferencing helps teams work better. Outfit the company conference room with technological tools such as webcams, microphones, and digital displays, and incorporate web conferencing software to make it easy for remote workers to participate in what's happening at headquarters.
4: HOLD WEEKLY MEETINGS OF THE REMOTE TEAM
Managing remotely does have plenty of similarities to managing in person. Hold regular meetings to keep staff apprised of what's happening in the company. Also, set clear goals for productivity and keep everyone informed on the progress towards meeting those goals. Encourage the use of instant messaging to enhance collaboration.
5: RECOGNIZE REMOTE WORKERS
Hold the occasional contest to reward staff for exceptional work and help foster a bit of friendly competition. It just so happens that Yamaha UC offers a variety of gifts that are perfect for remote workers. Those include a Bluetooth speakerphone for improved audio, a percussive therapy device to help reduce stress, and even a portable, adjustable Mini Under Desk Foot Hammock for those times when they want to kick off their shoes.
Remote work is the new normal, and those who manage their remote work more effectively are bound to outpace those who don't. Let the experts at Yamaha UC help set your remote team up for success!