The modern workforce is no longer confined to a single office. People with jobs that require them to work from home or on the road are becoming more and more common, as technology makes it easier for people in different locations to stay connected, collaborate, and get their work done. But this new norm also brings with it some challenges: how can you maintain communication and collaboration with your remote team?
1) Keep communication consistent
The first step is to make sure that communication is consistent, no matter who is involved or where they are located. This means setting some ground rules for communication and sticking to them. Whether you’re using email, chat, or a project management tool, make sure everyone is on the same page about how and when communication will take place.
This will help to prevent misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is able to stay up-to-date on what’s going on.
2) Set clear expectations
When people are working in different locations, it’s important to set clear expectations about deadlines, tasks, and communication. This way, everyone knows what is expected of them and can plan their work accordingly.
3) Avoid micromanaging
One of the dangers of working remotely is that it can be easy to start micromanaging your team. This can be detrimental to both the team and the project.
Micromanagement can stifle creativity and innovation, and it can also lead to burnout.
Instead, try to trust your team members to do their jobs and only step in when necessary. This will allow them to feel more ownership of their work and encourage them to take risks.
4) Use a project management software
If you’re working on a project with your team, it’s important to have a project management system in place. This will allow you to keep track of tasks, deadlines, and progress. It can also be used to assign tasks to team members and communicate with them about the project.
There are a number of different project management software options available, so find one that best suits your needs.
5) Encourage team building activities
Working remotely can sometimes feel isolating, so it’s important to encourage team-building activities. This can help to promote collaboration and build relationships between team members.
There are a number of different ways to do this. You could, for example, organize a team lunch or a happy hour. You could also use different tools to create a board for your team and post fun team-building activities. This could include things like taking turns cooking dinner or playing games together.
If your team lives all across the globe, having a yearly corporate retreat where people can hang out and get to know each other is a great idea.
No matter how you choose to do it, make sure that you take the time to get to know your remote team. This will help to build trust and improve communication.
6) Celebrate successes together
When your team achieves a goal, take the time to celebrate together. This could be done with a group dinner or by sending everyone a congratulatory email. This will help to build team morale and remind everyone that they are part of a team.
No matter how you choose to stay in touch with your remote team, make sure that you stick to the same communication methods. This will help to prevent misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is able to stay up-to-date on what’s going on.
7) Schedule regular check-ins
It’s important to schedule regular check-ins with your team, even if things are going well. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there are no issues that need to be addressed.
Check-ins can be done in person, over the phone, or via video conferencing. They can be as short as five minutes or last for an hour. The important thing is to make sure that they happen on a regular basis.
8) Be patient
Building trust and communication with your remote team takes time. Don’t expect things to change overnight, and be patient while everyone gets used to the new way of working.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your remote team won’t be either. Just keep working at it and you’ll see improvements over time.
9) Make use of technology
There are a number of different technologies that can be used to stay in touch with your remote team. Some of the most popular options include video conferencing, chat tools, and project management software.
Software for virtual meetings can be a great way to stay connected with your team, as it allows you to see and hear each other in real-time. This can be particularly helpful for brainstorming sessions or when you need to give a presentation. Just make sure to schedule meetings regularly so your team can organize their work accordingly.
Aside from brainstorming or presentations, meetings can be used to catch up with your workers and see if everyone is doing well.
There are also a number of chat tools that can be used for communication. These allow you to send messages, photos, and videos to your team members in real-time. This can be a great way to quickly get updates on tasks or to ask for help with something.
10) Have fun
Working remotely doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Make sure to schedule some time for fun activities with your team. This could be anything from playing games to watching movies together.
Remember, the goal is to build relationships and trust. And what better way to do that than by having some fun together?
Conclusion
Working remotely can be a great way to build a team that is both productive and cohesive. By following these tips, you can develop a strong remote team that will work well together and supports each other. It takes time to develop the perfect way to keep in touch with your remote workers, so make sure to be patient and take it one day at a time. It will be worth it!
