Working with remote teams can be a unique challenge that requires thoughtful attention and planning. Different from managing teams or individuals in traditional, in-person settings, successfully managing remote teams requires a different approach. It can be difficult to motivate remote employees, build team morale, and ensure everyone is on the same page.
In this blog post, we’ll be discussing how to manage remote teams and set employee expectations to create an effective team that is productive, motivated, and successful.
What exactly is a remote team?
A remote team is a group of people who work together from various locations and time zones. Team members interact and collaborate from cities, nations, and even continents apart. And if your team is small, you may also use some team management applications.
So, switching to remote teams and managing them is difficult, especially if you maintain your non-remote management approach. Remote teams have distinct requirements that require specific solutions.
Online Platforms from where you can find remote workers
- Upwork.com
- Virtalent.com
- Flexjobs.com
- Weworkremotely.com
- Remote.com
- Themuse.com
- Freelancer.com
- Toptal.com
- Fiverr.com
The difficulties of working remotely
Despite its many advantages, remote employment is not without flaws. When teams work from home, companies, management, and employees all confront unique obstacles.
Time Management and Distractions
At home, there is always a lot going on. Many distant employees are responsible for small children or other family members. Housework is another typical source of distraction, and many remote workers do not yet have a designated office and are hunched over their laptops on the couch.
It’s critical to have the right tools and approaches to help them stay on track and maximize team efficiency. For example, agile project management tools are designed to help project managers focus on the tasks that are most important and break large projects into more manageable chunks. These tools can help keep team members on task and hold them accountable for their progress while allowing for greater flexibility in project planning.
Fragmented Communication
Communication can rapidly become broken when working remotely. Because many businesses employ several communication platforms, such as SMS and phone calls, communication may easily become confused. If a remote team cannot just touch a colleague on the back, getting a simple answer from a colleague might be considerably more challenging.
Technical problems
Remote work requires a solid internet connection and dependable gear. Employees at the workplace have access to an enterprise-grade Internet connection as well as technical support staff. A home Wi-Fi or cellular network, on the other hand, may be less dependable, and assistance may be more difficult to acquire.
How to set the right expectations for remote work.
The first step in overcoming these problems is to establish realistic expectations from the start. You may reduce the challenges connected with remote work by establishing clear rules for staff. Don’t be concerned if your staff has been working remotely for some time. The advantages of effectively setting expectations are visible at every step.
Establish regular working hours
Working hours sort of fall into place when everyone is at the office. Things become more problematic when individuals work from home and in various time zones. The employees must understand if they are required to work at specific periods, such as 09:00 to 17:00, or not.
Establishes communication rules
With so many communication options accessible, it is critical to have clear standards. Workers need a list of the tools they are supposed to use and comprehensive business regulations on how to utilize them.
Defines goals and metrics
Setting clear goals for everyone is one approach to keeping remote teams on track. To do so, you must inform them of the measurements and KPIs you use to evaluate their performance. Give everyone achievable goals and realistic timelines to guarantee motivation.
Additionally, one way to visualize progress on goals and metrics is through the use of animated charts, which provide a visual representation of performance over time. Animated charts can help to identify trends, identify areas for improvement, and make it easier for management to track progress.
Help with setting up your home office
A dedicated work location is one of the most effective strategies to reduce distractions. Assist your staff in using external monitors, desks or standing tables, and appropriate workplace chairs. Additionally, let them know if you can assist them with the purchase financially. The corporation may provide or bear the costs of the essential equipment. Additionally, using a valuation estimator can help you make the right decisions for your home office. Having the right office setup can make all the difference when it comes to maximizing productivity and ensuring that all of your business goals are met.
Here’s how you manage remote teams after expectations are set.
1. Assists employees in effectively managing their time.
Helping your team construct a timetable will help in time management. Employees keep on track if the same periods are set aside for serious work every day. When team members are distributed across multiple time zones, however, timetables must be transparent.
2. Offers several modes of communication.
Although email and instant messaging are the most often used communication methods, you must also give alternative possibilities. Video conferencing, for example, is an effective treatment for loneliness. They also give visual indicators of employee well-being that email or instant chat cannot. Also, you can offer several methods of payment as remote workers there are different types of expenses they have. As recommended much more is using suitable Billing Software also that is usable for accountants too.
3. Provides technical assistance.
To solve difficulties caused by untrustworthy technology, good technical help is essential. Ensuring that everyone on the team has access to the same set of tools, whether they be for project management, cloud storage, or productivity software, will suffice. It is also possible that you may need to supply PCs, external monitors, and wireless routers for your staff to use at home. You may also create microlearning courses to engage your team.
4. Schedule regular check-ins and meetings.
Meetings on a regular basis are essential for keeping individuals connected and organized. They can be daily stand-up meetings, face-to-face meetings, or both. Employees will know that they can rely on you and that their issues will not be overlooked if you do this on a regular and consistent basis.
