Remote workers are more productive than in-house workers when managed well, which benefits both the company and the employee.
FREMONT, CA: Thanks to globalization, communication across the world has become simpler and more accessible. Companies are taking their services abroad and outsourcing administrative and marketing tasks. And entrepreneurs and business owners now have the opportunity to hire remote teams for their businesses as well.
Managing a remote team has its pros and cons. The pros are being able to hire the best talent from anywhere in the world and save on office expenses. While cons include not being able to supervise, onboard, or provide feedback to employees in person.
Here are three tips to successfully manage a remote workforce and to reap benefits
Hire and Train well
To prepare employees for a remote workforce culture, it is essential to hire the right people and train them well. Candidates should be proactive, independent, responsible, and trustworthy. Having experience as a remote employee with good references from their former employee will be an added bonus. The onboarding process of a company should mirror the remote workforce, such as establishing company values that connect with a remote culture, defining company expectations, implementing video communication, and digital onboarding tools.
Define Goals and Objectives
When hiring a remote team, be clear on what each individual will need to accomplish to reach their goal as well as the company’s.
While goals and objectives can be changed along the way as new insights are gained about the business, it is wiser to set clear goals before starting a project. The goals set must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely (SMART).
Communication is Vital
By using reliable communication tools, establish contact consistently, and keep track of what is important. Personalizing communication with every employee is a need. Some people work better when undisturbed, while some enjoy frequent interactions. Whichever the case may be, always be open and available to communicate—especially with employees who work from remote locations.
With a remote workforce, it’s also helpful to hold individual one-on-one meetings and team meetings to ensure everyone is aligned and moving in the right direction.