Do it smart: manage remote teams

Posted on Feb 06, 2022 at 06:02 PM

In 2020, the Corona Pandemic changed work patterns all around the world. Companies have shifted into managing remote teams.

 Ever since, working from home or remote work has become so common.

Now, the Internet is one of the most prominent remote work markets because of its ability to network between all remote workers regardless of where they live or work. 

How to manage remote teams effectively:

Remote team managers have to be creative. Challenges face the companies and managers, where employees want to be in the same office. 

Therefore, a good plan and effective telecommunication are a must to overcome any challenges companies might encounter with communicating with remote staff. 

There are no custom plans for every company but instructions to follow:

- Set up immediate and clear expectations:

Set company goals and priorities. Determine the available time for each member. Meanwhile, you get assured they can be reachable.  

Recognize what changes might occur. Arrange a schedule of daily work hours.

- Follow the team progress:

Proposing a plan is a good idea to set the time frame for each task. In this case, you avoid confusion and give everyone the necessary authority. 

Sometimes team members need to train management skills; you can let them check out management training courses in London to function effectively.

- Make clear guidelines for communication:

Setting up a virtual place for meeting the team is essential to get comfortable. 

Otherwise, there will be a harmful effect on team performance and the company. Remember to keep information flow available for everyone about what's going on in the company.

- Get educated to manage remote conflicts:

Dispute and conflict management are necessary for managing remote teams because of some problems the company may encounter, so you get ready and know what to keep employees involved in no matter how far their place is.

- Identify and delegate the responsibilities:

Whether managers are in charge of the whole company or one department, they have to identify the tasks and delegate them to the best employees.

 Moreover, managers have to define the group members, choose the best to perform the functions, and use project task management, so everyone knows what exactly to do.

- Set objective standards of the production:

Set some objective standards to measure productivity. You can set a daily, weekly or monthly timeframe and identify the primary key performance indicators.

For instance, content writers may accomplish a specific number of articles per month.

- Schedule teams meetings:

Arranging regular meetings, live virtual events, and team-building virtual activities is very important to bridge the employees; thus, your employees don't feel neglected. 

The more employees get to know each other very well, the more that helps ease the team's cooperation and communication.

- Use technology to overcome the distance:

Some essential tools and technology are needed to manage the workforce remotely, including chat, collaboration tools, and project management rules to follow the performance.

You can create virtual venues, instant messaging systems or online communities.

- Never engage in tiny details:

Micro-management could be stressful for you and your remote team because they feel unreliable. Instead, focus on results and targets no matter their working hours as long as they get their tasks done within the deadlines.

- Strong bond with team members:

You, as a manager, should get to know your remote working team members just like the way in the traditional non-remote work. A small chat about their hobbies, interests and professional aspirations could be helpful.

Employees who have friendship and personal contact at work are more motivated and interactive, according to an opinion poll in 2018.

Finally, make these instructions your guideline to manage your remote work team effectively, facilitate communication, and assure all your team members integrate no matter where they work.