If you’re managing a remote team, building a strong foundation for them to stand on is vital to their success (and your business’s). Remote workers offer a different approach to the traditional workspace and can help improve your overall productivity and diversity. Here’s how to build a strong foundation for your remote workers to make your business more efficient.
Communication Tools
Having the right tools available to you and your team can mean the difference between effective and not-so-effective communication. Communication and trust are the keys to any successful relationship, and your remote workers are no different. A conference calling service can provide you with a secure platform from which to host conference calls, meetings, video calls, and more! This eliminates the need for long-distance calling and pesky chain emails.
Keeping open lines of communication will help show your team that you’re there for them and that you care about their success as much as they do. An employee that feels valued in this way is less likely to move to another company. Don’t underestimate the value of appreciation and good communication!
With digital services, you can connect with clients and team members no matter where they are in the world. Ditch your high-cost landline and those expensive long-distance charges. A conference calling service usually only charges a monthly premium, and with some services, you’ll get all kinds of extras like cloud storage and screen-sharing capabilities.
Be Clear
Clarity when it comes to expectations is absolutely essential to sending the right message. You want to be as clear as possible when it comes to project requirements, deadlines, and client expectations. If your employees don’t know what you expect from them, there’s a good chance they’ll just do it their way; leading to re-dos and plenty of irritation on both ends.
Nobody wants to feel left in the dark or out of touch with what’s going on. It’s a good idea to host a short conference call or online meeting before the start of new projects so that everyone knows and understands their role(s) and the general expectations for the project. You can then send a follow-up email with these expectations clearly laid out on paper.
Clarity is power; the more clear you are, the better the project will turn out overall and the happier your customers and team members will be.
Respect Them as People
Just because a remote worker isn’t at the office with you, doesn’t mean you can disrespect them or treat them differently. Remote workers are still people with their own lives, desires, and ambitions. Too often, we see big companies looking at employees as just numbers instead of people, and this is simply bad business. If you expect to retain any quality help on the payroll, you’ll need to treat your remote workers with the respect they deserve.
Understand that things happen, and while missing deadlines or project requirements shouldn’t become a habit, making certain exceptions in case of emergencies really shows your remote workers that you understand and respect them as people. In turn, you’ll find they respect and value you as well, and will do their best to deliver excellent work. You get what you give!
Value Them as You Do In-House Workers
Another important point to make is that you shouldn’t treat remote workers differently than your in-house workers. They are still a valuable and vital part of your company’s success, and thus should be treated accordingly. If you offer incentives or awards to your in-house workers, offer them to remote workers as well. Let the competition be among both parties to keep things fair and help remote workers feel valued.
Include Them in Company News and Celebrations
Don’t forget that your remote employees have a vested interest in your company! Keeping them updated with changes, news, and celebratory milestones is a great way to ensure they feel included in the company’s happenings. Employees enjoy feeling like they’re a part of something bigger than themselves, and this includes the ups and downs of the company’s success.
A monthly newsletter sent via email is perhaps the easiest way to achieve this goal and will help your remote workers feel like they’re important to the organization. Small gestures such as this can go a long way in creating a personalized relationship with employees you may not see in person often.
Conclusion
Keeping in good communication with remote workers, clearly expressing expectations, and respecting them as people are just a few of the ways you can build a strong foundation for them. Making them feel included in the company’s comings and goings helps build trust and makes your remote workers feel valued. Don’t be afraid to reach out and say thanks once in a while either; sometimes a little appreciation is much needed.
