Managing a business remotely can be a tricky and unsettling process for those who haven’t done it before. You might feel uncertain of whether you have set the right processes in place, or uneasy about how your staff are taking working from home. Although the change of work environment will take some getting used to, there are definitely some things you can have in place which makes the whole situation less unsettling and more efficient for you and your staff.
Read on below to find out how to best manage a team remotely.
Start Off by Managing Expectations
Sitting down (virtually of course) with your staff and going over both your expectations, as well as theirs, is key to making sure this process goes as smoothly as possible. Managing expectations means that no one in the team can use being misinformed as a reason behind any potential issues. Nothing should be left unsaid in this conversation. You need to talk to your team about what you expect from them throughout this foreign process, as well as what they can expect from you. This is also the chance for them to voice anything they might need from the business to make sure they can do everything they’re expected to do.
Communicate Frequently Every Day
It’s vital that there is constant open communication channels for staff to be able to discuss and collaborate on any projects. Having an open communication channel means that you and your employees can work on things together as openly as you would at the office. Using video and voice calls also allows you to check in with employees in the event that there is anything you need to discuss in detail, or perhaps for any sensitive subjects.
A great way to ensure everyone is on the same page each day is to have a daily huddle ahead of each day. This gives you the opportunity to not only make sure everyone is ready for the day, but also gives staff the opportunity to raise their hands if they have any problems.
An informal chatroom on a platform such as Microsoft Teams is another way to keep staff connected on a personal level. Working from home can be a lonely experience, especially if it’s new. A place where your staff can just chat can help them through this unusual experience, can in turn make for happier employees.
Read our blog here on How to Improve Remote Staff Communication with Microsoft Teams.
Set up Project Management Systems
Project Management Systems are essential in order to track staff progress on any tasks or projects anyone is working on. It also ensures everyone can take accountability for anything assigned to them.
If you are worried about staff productivity, this allows you to be on the same page as employees in terms of the work they need to get done, without pulling them aside and asking. If you don’t already have a project management system, an application such as Asana is a great place to start.
Establish a Meeting Rhythm
Having organised meetings makes sure that you and your staff will not be only available but prepared each time. Having meetings set up can also motivate you and your staff to stay as productive as you would be in the office.
You Are Not Alone – Keep in Touch With Your Local Business Community
These tough times can be alienating, and with most SMEs taking it a day at a time, talking to your local business community can be really helpful. Knowing you and your business aren’t the only ones experiencing this can be reassuring, and you can also get tips from other businesses on how they are handling things.
Join in on our weekly customer Q&A call, where we answer any questions you may have, and have the chance to discuss any concerns with businesses just like yours. Sign up here.
