4 Productivity Hacks For Managing Remote Teams
It’s said that one trend that’s gaining popularity in various industries today is remote work. This method allows employees to work even when they’re not in the confines of the office. Although this practice has a lot of benefits, it also has some challenges. Productivity can be compromised when workers don’t need to report on-site, among others.
Businessman talking to team of colleagues on online video conference call on laptop. Screen view of coach, teacher and students attending webinar. Distance business meeting, remote work concept
So, to avoid working with a burnt-out or unmotivated team, you can try these hacks to increase their productivity or pre-recorded webinar.
1. Use A Centralized Platform
Managing a remote team can be challenging as you have limited means to check on everyone and ensure they’re doing their tasks.
If you can’t meet with your team in person, you may find it difficult to determine whether they’re productive or not. In addition, working remotely may impact each team member differently. Hence, some of them may struggle to perform well with their new work routine.
So, one hack you can implement in your workplace is using a centralized platform for all activities. This could lessen the stress of figuring out how to efficiently collaborate when you can’t meet your personnel face-to-face. Plus, it could ease the exchange of information as all files the team use would be uploaded in one place.
Creating an accessible and user-friendly platform may help enhance productivity of your workforce and allow managers to monitor their teams’ performance easily and efficiently.
2. Conduct Weekly Catch-ups
Some businesses with remote workforces may have limited means to reach out to their employees and check how they’re doing. Since they don’t work in the same place, it’s hard to conduct simple conversations and check them out. The lack of communication may influence employees’ productivity in the long run. Some may feel isolated and have difficulty keeping up with their responsibilities.
Henceforth, one way to maintain a positive workforce is by conducting weekly catch-ups. You can set up virtual meetings with your team using video conferencing applications. You can do it at the start of the week to set your weekly goals and update your group about any progress in your work. Alternately, you can do it as the last work activity before the weekend to summarize all the activities you’ve finished.
To make your weekly or monthly meetings fun, you can conduct games in which everyone can participate. There are various online platforms such as escapely.com that you can utilize to make your virtual meetings more dynamic. Additionally, you can offer prizes to motivate your online-based team members.
remote job, technology and people concept – bored or tired young indian man in glasses with laptop computer working at home office
3. Set Boundaries
Working remotely may not be for everyone. It may be a more manageable option for some to have more personal time to do other things. Nonetheless, others may not suit working at home and feel more exhausted than going to an office. If your employees struggle to stay productive when working remotely, it may help set boundaries that’ll help them have a work-and-life balance.
For instance, you can encourage your team members to work during regular office hours so that they’ll have time to do other things after work. You can also ask them to refrain from contacting their colleagues after work or during the weekends to allow them to enjoy their time off.
If you prefer to track your staff’s performance based on their output, you can provide them with more flexibility. This means allowing your employees to work whenever they can as long as they produce or even exceed set deliverables.
Overall, setting boundaries when managing a remote team will be beneficial for you and your team members.
4. Provide Incentives
Another way to motivate your team and keep them productive is by offering incentives to top performers.
Due to company activities for employees being limited when everyone is working on their own, doing other activities to reward them may help keep their mood positive. For example, you can recognize your employees whenever you finish a project or hit your targets.
Offering simple rewards, like gift cards or a salary bonus, may encourage everyone to perform well even when they can’t go to the office. Further, this act could showcase you value your team’s hard work. It shows you recognize and see their efforts even when you can’t meet in person.
Boost morale within your team and improve their productivity by practicing positive reinforcement techniques.
Final Thoughts
It could be challenging to maintain a productive workforce when you can’t meet your staff in person. For one, you can’t conduct face-to-face meetings and interactions that build rapport among your team.
Fortunately, you can boost your team’s productivity even when you don’t see them in the office. Using a centralized platform for your communication, providing incentives, and setting work boundaries are excellent practices that may help boost your team’s productivity.
