Your remote team is not as productive as you’d like. How can you turn things around?

First and foremost, important thing is Crisp and Clear Instructions. Consider your team is a war-front and you all are remotely separated. The only way to get out alive and win is to have clear communication and trust on each other. You won't get another chance there, and same goes with your work-team. OKR / SMART these tools are fine and comes later in picture, but the first step is to have good communication for defining clear goals, setting some ground rules, giving clean instructions, adhering to those instructions, following timely meet-ups and being open to give and take feedback. If any of these falls apart then it will spoil team spirit and team will start to fall apart.

Create a collective document that clearly defines each team member's essential targets, significant achievements, and time limits. Implement SMART objectives—explicit, quantifiable, attainable, pertinent, and timely—to paint a precise picture of the desired outcomes. Frequently reassess these targets to guarantee they stay in sync with the team's abilities and the broader goals of the business.

Set up a regular routine for group discussions and individual catch-ups through video calls to keep the personal touch alive. Foster a virtual open-door approach, inviting team members to request feedback or talk about concerns when they come up. Employ team collaboration tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams to keep communication consistent and ongoing.

Utilizing tools like Jira, Trello, and Confluence for workflow management can streamline communication and collaboration. Excessive huddles can actually impede progress, so it's important to prioritize efficient communication. Remembering the principles of agile and sprint methodologies can help maintain a productive and focused remote work environment.

Make use of task management and analytics applications such as Trello, Asana, or Monday.com to monitor advancement and efficiency. Establish control panels that display essential performance indicators (KPIs) that matter to your team's productivity. Apply these applications to pinpoint and address inefficiencies and areas needing enhancement, and to acknowledge achievements when KPIs are achieved or surpassed.

Prioritize shared goals, define team-wide success metrics, and set clear expectations for communication and response times. Adopt a project management tool that promotes visibility and keeps everyone aligned. Schedule regular check-ins, encourage knowledge sharing and documentation, pair colleagues for mentorship opportunities, and emphasize an open-door policy to proactively address challenges and facilitate an ongoing collaborative workflow.

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for overall well-being and productivity. It allows individuals to recharge, reduce stress, and ultimately contribute more effectively in both their personal and professional lives. Recharge. Refresh. Be productive. It's simple!

I've worked remote and hybrid for the past 4 years. The best work experience I had was at DOT & Company- a 100% remote team. One of the key things I learnt (thanks to the DOT team) is that SOPs are crucial to a successful remote environment. If you document every process within your business, it's hard to fail. It means that you can have 5 new team members or clients onboard within a month, and there is an exact process to follow, no matter where in the world they are. SOPs also allow you to see the gaps and constantly improve the way your team operates. I also want to add that you can still have an engaged, collaborative team in a remote setting! Virtual team events, Slack chats, coffee catch-ups... All from your home office.