A lot of companies miss out on the real benefits of outsourcing simply because of how they handle their remote teams. If done right, remote workers can bring tremendous value to a business.
Adding remote staff can be a smart move, especially if you want to keep growing even when the economy isn’t doing so great. It can make your business more competitive, help you scale quicker, and make everything more flexible.
Plus, it cuts down on labor costs and gives you access to a vast pool of talented people from around the world. This way, you can cover more time zones effortlessly and keep scaling up. Not to mention, it reduces the need for expensive office spaces, on-site staff demands, and other overlooked overheads.
Outsourcing definitely has its perks, but to really reap the benefits, you need to put in a bit of effort. Even if you’ve put together the ideal remote team, without the right tools, structured processes, and workflows, you might not hit those optimal levels of productivity and efficiency. Luckily, a few simple management tips can make all the difference.
How can you ensure effective remote management – that your remote team members stay productive and connected regardless of where they are in the world? It’s simple.
To help, here are a few simple ideas that can be easily implemented in your remote team management strategy to achieve desired results.
1. Set clear expectations and goals
For your team to thrive in a remote setting, establishing clear expectations and goals is vital. Start by making sure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities, so they can focus on their tasks. It’s also crucial to set measurable goals that align with the company’s mission, which keeps everyone motivated and on the same page.
Communication is key, so set expectations around work hours, deadlines, and how to stay in touch. This helps maintain structure even when working remotely. Don’t forget about regular feedback and evaluations; these allow you to catch and address issues early while encouraging improvement.
By doing all this, you ensure your remote team stays aligned and accountable.
2. Make good use of tools and technology
Video chats and instant messaging have made it easy for business managers to stay connected with their remote employees at all times. There’s a wide range of online communication tools such as video and messaging, file-sharing, and project management tool apps that promote productivity and improve efficiency, reporting, and transparency.
Using these tools will ensure the highest levels of productivity and collaboration. Familiarize your onshore and offshore teams with these tools and implement them into your workflows to help achieve your goals quicker and easier.
3. Check in regularly
Not everyone thrives when working remotely. While some staff can be a lot more productive when working from home, others may still prefer to work in the office.
As a business leader, you need to stay connected with your remote team members through regular check ins, either directly or through a team leader. Understanding what they need to stay engaged and reach their potential, whether they’re sitting in an office or at home is crucial for your teams’ success.
If they’re working remotely, we suggest giving them the opportunity to work in the office for a couple of days a week, or vice versa. This flexibility can result in massive improvements in recurring productivity.
4. Don’t micromanage
Trusting your team to do their job effectively with minimal management contact is extremely important. While you don’t want to micromanage their activities, there are benefits in maintaining an active relationship building with them.
Having a quick chat with your team even once or twice a week can help you keep track of project status, challenges, goals and achievements. We suggest scheduling a 10 to 15-minute video call on Monday mornings to go over the week’s goals and another video chat on Fridays to evaluate the outcomes and for a bit of social time.
Leading an outsourced team can be daunting at first. Here are a few other tips on how you can start your day with your remote team.
5. Nurture their skills through training
The pandemic forced businesses to shift into the digital space and created an excellent opportunity for people to upskill and reskill. Encouraging your remote team to join online training or webinars can really help, especially for those new to remote work, by making the adjustment easier. Besides boosting staff loyalty and engagement, you’ll also enjoy the fresh skills and experiences they bring back to the company.
Keep in mind that empowering your team with new knowledge and abilities builds a stronger, more capable workforce, which ultimately aids in scaling your business and achieving better results.
6. Build an exceptional work culture
Managing remote teams goes beyond just making sure tasks get done; it’s also about fostering a strong company culture. This means encouraging information sharing, celebrating milestones, and recognizing achievements.
If your team hits their weekly targets, let them know! At Cloudstaff, we celebrate our successes with annual team-building events, year-end parties, and breakout sessions.
These activities, which are a core part of our culture, not only improve staff retention but also help build and strengthen relationships between our customers and staff, fostering greater collaboration. Creating a positive work environment really enhances the overall outsourcing experience.
7. Align them closely with your company’s values and mission
Getting your remote team aligned with your company’s values and mission is crucial to building a cohesive and motivated team. Start by clearly sharing what your company stands for, so they see the bigger picture and how their roles contribute to overall goals.
Encourage team members to live these values and mission in their work with regular reminders, by including them in performance reviews, and recognizing those who exemplify them.
Create opportunities for contributions through special projects or initiatives that align with the company’s mission, giving everyone a sense of purpose. Reward those who demonstrate these values to reinforce their importance and motivate others.
Incorporating company values into goals ensures everyone is on the same page, working towards shared objectives. By doing this, you create a strong sense of purpose and direction, even when working remotely.
8. Engage them with team building and socialization activities
Building a motivated remote team is all about creating connections. Host virtual events like team building activities, happy hours, or team lunches to encourage social interactions and foster healthy remote work environment.
Get everyone collaborating on projects and brainstorming ideas to enhance team unity. Recognize achievements with shout-outs or virtual awards to keep morale high.
Invite feedback on the remote work experience so everyone feels involved and heard. By implementing these activities, you can create a close-knit and supportive remote team.
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Outsource with Cloudstaff
We’ve spent the past 15+ years mastering the art of outsourcing and managing virtual teams. Curious about how we can elevate your business? Contact us and explore possibilities!