How Can I Support My Team Remotely?

Remote work is on the rise. According to one survey, 43% of American workers said they worked remotely to at least some degree in 2016. On top of that, younger people say having the opportunity to work remotely is very important to them when considering potential employers.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Workers appreciate flexibility. Luckily, managers also benefit from a remote work policy. It’s a lot easier to find the right person for a job when they don’t need to live near your office (or be willing to relocate). On top of that, studies indicate remote workers may actually be more productive than their in-office counterparts.

That’s not to say shifting to this type of work environment doesn’t involve challenges. If you expect to have remote employees, you may be wondering how to manage a remote team effectively. When you and your employees share an office, supporting them is fairly easy. When you don’t see them on a daily basis, this may seem a lot more difficult.

It doesn’t need to. If you’re a manager wondering how to ensure your remote team gets the support it needs, keep the following points in mind.

Best Practices for Managing a Remote Team

It probably goes without saying that supporting a remote team effectively requires adjusting your management strategy. You can’t rely on the same tactics you’ve used in the past. The following best practices are key to adjusting properly and efficiently.

Make Sure They Have the Right Tools

There are some advantages to working from an office. They may not outweigh the benefits of remote work, but you do need to consider them when managing your team.

Specifically, working from an office gives an employee regular access to the tools and technology they need to complete their daily tasks. Thus, coordinating with all your remote workers to find out if they are lacking any necessary tools or resources is an important early step as you shift to this new type of work. You want them to hit the ground running with everything they need to be productive.

Schedule Weekly or Biweekly ‘Meetings’

Providing your employees with regular feedback isn’t very difficult when you can just knock on their office door or stop by their cubicle. However, that’s clearly not an option when managing a remote team.

That’s why you need to choose a time every week (or other week) to connect with every member of the team individually. Use this time to discuss their progress, answer any questions they may have, and provide them with direction if they aren’t hitting their goals.

Don’t overlook the importance of making these meetings a regular part of your schedule. Approximately 65% of employees (not just remote workers) report wanting to get more feedback from supervisors. Using technology to connect with yours on a consistent basis will help maintain engagement.

Establish Goals & Expectations Early

Managers typically know how important it is to thoroughly describe the nature of a job when interviewing candidates and onboarding new hires. Employees are simply more likely to thrive when they know exactly what you expect from them.

This is even more important when your employees work remotely. They won’t have the option of stopping by your office every time they have a question. Yes, they can email and call, but you may not always be available to help them right away. This reduces their productivity and makes them feel less confident in their role.

Researchers who’ve studied this topic point out that workers who are confused about management’s expectations are less engaged at work than others. Thus, when first discussing a job with a remote worker, make sure you’re as thorough as possible, and give them an opportunity to ask questions at the start.

Praise Their Contributions

When considering how to manage a team remotely, don’t forget the value of praise. In an office environment, you might be inclined to pay an employee a visit to let them know you’re very happy with their recent work. You should also give the same kind of praise to your remote employees. Recognizing employees for their contributions is so essential that one study reveals it may have a greater impact on their motivation and engagement than money.

Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to manage a virtual team. While it does take some adjusting, in the long run, both you and your employees will benefit from a remote work policy. These tips will help you enjoy those benefits sooner rather than later.

Of course, switching to a virtual team should also involve switching to a virtual office. It still helps to have a business address for rent, mail services, and many of the other features of a traditional office setting. Our team at Virtual Office can help. Visit our site to learn more about what we can do for you and your team.