Modern business set-ups rely on remote work, and this shift was only accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. While remote work emerged out of necessity, it boasted a number of benefits that employers and employees were keen to keep around. This includes better flexibility and access to a broader talent pool, and it also allows for cost savings.
Despite this, in order to manage a team effectively, a unique skillset is required. That’s where remote management training comes in with some tech-savvy techniques to set your company up for success.
Embrace the Right Communication Tools
If you want your remote management strategy to be successful, you must first ensure that effective communication is in place. This communication works to bridge the gap that’s caused by physical distance. Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom are just some of the platforms that work to keep your communication running smoothly. Instant messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing can all be accessed on these platforms, so everyone can rest assured that they’re on the same page.
It's a good idea to encourage your team to use these as modes of both formal and informal communication. Frequent check-ins and team meetings work to keep everyone on the same page in terms of goals and deadlines. Meanwhile, “water cooler” channels provide team members with a space to discuss non-work-related topics, making for a more developed sense of community.
Leverage Project Management Software
Tasks, deadlines, and project progress all need to be kept on top of when managing a remote team. Trello, Asana, and Monday.com are just some of the software that can be used to help organize and monitor a team’s workload with ease. After all, they work to assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress in real time, allowing for transparency and accountability.
Detailed project plans and timelines can be used to create project plans and timelines, making it much easier for your team to understand their responsibilities and how their work contributes to the overall project goals. Similarly, project status updates and milestone celebrations can be used to motivate the team.
Implement Time Management Tools
Remote work settings present the challenge of managing time effectively, and that’s where Toggl, Clockify, Harvest, and other time management tools come in to assist your team with tracking their hours and managing their time. With these tools, it becomes easier to identify where time is being spent, which makes it easier to determine what needs to be improved and optimised.
When it comes to time management tools, it’s wise to encourage your team to log their hours and review their time reports frequently. From this, they’ll be able to gain an understanding of their work patterns and adjust them should they need to. Managers can also use this data to guide them in their feedback and provide support where needed. This way, it becomes easier to balance workloads and meet deadlines.
Foster a Culture of Collaboration
When team members aren’t actually in the same physical space, this can make it much more difficult to collaborate. Fortunately, technology is very effective in bridging this gap. Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Dropbox are just some of the tools that allow team members to work on the same documents simultaneously. The end result is seamless and efficient collaboration.
Encouraging your team members to share their ideas and feedback works to promote a collaborative culture. In a culture such as this, it becomes easier to carry out brainstorming sessions, workshops, and team-building activities. This also fosters a sense of camaraderie that works to include and value everyone.
Prioritize Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity threats are naturally more prevalent with remote work, which is why it’s so important to keep your team’s work and data secure. VPNs, firewalls, and antivirus software are just some of the important things to invest in. Similarly, you should educate your team about best practices for online security, which include the use of strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and vigilance about phishing attacks.
Regular cybersecurity training sessions work to keep your team informed about the latest threats and help them avoid them. Company-wide security policies can be put in place to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Focus on Employee Well-Being
Isolation and burnout are common symptoms of remote work, which is why it’s so important to focus on employee well-being. Officevibe, TINYpulse, 15Five and are just some of the tools that can be used to gauge employee satisfaction and gather feedback. With the help of these tools, it makes it easier to identify potential issues early on and put measures in place to address them.
Promoting regular breaks and respecting boundaries helps you encourage a healthy work-life balance. You can also use virtual team-building activities to encourage social interaction. This is in addition to showing appreciation for your team’s hard work.
