You’re managing a remote contract management team. How do you ensure their success?

1 Set clear goals and expectations

One of the first steps to managing a remote contract management team is to set clear goals and expectations for each project, task, and role. You need to communicate what you expect from your team members, how you will measure their performance, and how you will provide feedback and support. You also need to align your goals and expectations with your clients and stakeholders, and make sure that everyone is on the same page. Use SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) criteria to define your goals and expectations, and use tools like project management software, contract management software, and shared calendars to track and monitor progress.

2 Build trust and collaboration

Another key factor to managing a remote contract management team is to build trust and collaboration among your team members. You need to foster a culture of openness, honesty, and respect, where your team members can share their ideas, opinions, and challenges without fear of judgment or criticism. You also need to encourage collaboration and teamwork, where your team members can leverage their diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives to create better solutions and outcomes. You can build trust and collaboration by using various communication channels, such as video calls, instant messaging, email, and phone calls, to stay in touch, share updates, and celebrate successes. You can also use online platforms, such as cloud storage, document sharing, and digital signatures, to facilitate collaboration and streamline workflows.

3 Provide training and development

A third aspect of managing a remote contract management team is to provide training and development opportunities for your team members. You need to ensure that your team members have the skills, knowledge, and tools they need to perform their tasks effectively and efficiently. You also need to help them grow and improve their competencies and capabilities, and prepare them for future challenges and opportunities. You can provide training and development by offering online courses, webinars, podcasts, and e-books on topics related to contract management, such as legal terms, negotiation techniques, risk management, and compliance. You can also provide coaching, mentoring, and feedback sessions to help them identify their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

4 Recognize and reward

A fourth element of managing a remote contract management team is to recognize and reward your team members for their achievements and contributions. You need to show appreciation and gratitude for their hard work, dedication, and performance, and motivate them to keep up the good work. You also need to create a sense of belonging and engagement, where your team members feel valued and respected, and part of a larger purpose and vision. You can recognize and reward your team members by sending personalized messages, emails, or cards, giving shout-outs, praise, or testimonials, offering incentives, bonuses, or gifts, or creating gamification, badges, or leaderboards.

5 Adapt and innovate

A fifth and final component of managing a remote contract management team is to adapt and innovate. You need to be flexible and responsive to the changing needs and demands of your clients, your team members, and your organization, and adjust your strategies and tactics accordingly. You also need to be creative and proactive, and seek new ways to improve your processes, systems, and outcomes, and add value to your services. You can adapt and innovate by conducting regular surveys, feedback, and reviews, analyzing data, metrics, and trends, implementing best practices, standards, and templates, and experimenting with new tools, technologies, and methods.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?