The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled businesses to adopt remote working strategies. By working remotely, companies can reduce the risk of employees contracting/spreading the disease. This article identifies benefits of remote work and how to manage remote teams effectively.
Many companies that have introduced remote working for the first time are witnessing other non-pandemic benefits firsthand. From increased productivity to reduced absenteeism, businesses report multiple benefits of remote working.
Key Benefits of Remote Teams
- Reduction in Business Expenses – Companies can save on standard business overhead items such as office space, employee travel expenses, and equipment. In fact, a company can save an amount of $11, 000 per year through an employee that works remotely half the time.
- Increased Employee Productivity – Employees working remotely tend to work more efficiently due to the location independence and the flexibility of working hours. Remote workers have been shown to dedicate more time to work-related tasks.
- Better Employee Satisfaction and Reduced Attrition Rate – Employees find the flexibility of remote working in a company highly attractive. Employees have been known to favor a salary cut over regular office hours. The increase in satisfaction that remote employees experience contributes to their willingness to stay with a company, leading to a lower attrition rate.
- Ability to Attract Good Candidates – It is difficult to attract the right candidates in today’s job market. For reasons similar to those cited above, the availability of remote work is seen as an advantage by many job seekers.
According to a Gartner survey, 90% of companies plan to permit remote working for employees even after the pandemic subsides.
Companies can make the best of the situation by implementing strategies that contribute to increased efficiency of remote teams.
Here are some ways to help manage remote teams to be more productive at work:
Empower Remote Teams with Efficient Virtual Tools
Avoid assuming that your employees know all about virtual working and that they can adjust themselves immediately. They may not be adequately equipped to attend a virtual conference, or they may find it difficult initially to interact on a virtual meeting.
Address your employees’ needs to make them efficient at remote working. Equip them with remote working tools such as video conferencing software, ergonomic earphones, and data security tools. Allow them the time to get used to virtual meetings and virtual communication.
Set limits for virtual meetings to prevent every issue from being discussed over in this way. For example, an issue could be escalated to a virtual meeting if it has not been sorted over 5 or 6 emails or a couple of phone calls.
Communicate Frequently
Lack of communication can be a problem in physical offices, and it can be more so when teams work remotely. Ensure regular communication with your team. Set up a time and call them at the designated time. The communication can be a one-on-one with each of your team members in case the tasks are independent. If your output necessitates a more collaborative effort, then a team meeting ensures better results.
Regular communication conveys to your employees that they can reach you with their issues, questions, and grievances. Addressing problems at a nascent stage is the best way to prevent them from escalating to out-of-control issues.
Set Clear Expectations
When teams are working remotely, clarity in expectations and outcomes builds task efficiency and improves productivity. And, if teams are frequently required to work on multiple projects simultaneously, expectation setting is the only way to derive desired results.
Be sure to request feedback after setting goals. This is important to know if the arrangement aligns with employee needs.
For efficiency, focus on the results alone and not on micro-managing your remote team.
Take the Time to Engage
Engagement is crucial for remote teams as they do not have the advantage of rest room discussions or break talks. Simple methods such as a thoughtful greeting every day and thank you emails after a job well-done can be great motivators. Virtual project completion celebrations, monthly virtual team lunches, and surprise gifts, can keep the team together and well-connected.
It can be difficult to manage remote teams, But engaging them on a regular basis can help you achieve extraordinary results. You nurture a team that is positive, efficient and bonded.
The Resource Connection, Inc. Can Help
If your organization is looking for a reliable staffing to source remote workers in the office and administrative arena, then The Resource Connection Inc., (TRC) can be a great partner. With over 30 years of experience in matching the hiring needs of employers with the best talent, we can help equip you with the right team. Whether you are looking for temporary help, direct hire, or temp-to-hire, we can handle all recruiting needs. Talk to us about your jobs and remote hiring needs today!