5 Ways to Effectively Manage Remote Teams

In early 2020, COVID-19, the biggest terror hovered over the world and continues to remain. However, it did teach us many things of which one of the most important things was happiness and fulfilment. We started finding our new happiness in staying closer to our beloved family.? Another important discovery was the beginning of a new era in the professional journey i.e., Remote work.??

Thanks to digitalization we are now more closely connected with people being personal or professional from the comfort of our homes. Remote work requires a different management style than traditional office work. People work in different time zones, communicating differently through digital mediums. Everything comes along with its own set of opportunities and challenges. It does give us the opportunity to work from the comfort of our houses and save time on commute which is one of the biggest benefits of remote work. However, managing remote teams can be a challenge.??

?Let us discuss ways to try to create an environment of planning, communication, and trust to effectively overcome these challenges while working remotely.?

1. Set clear expectations and goals - Clearly articulating your expectations and goals for your team helps everyone to have a clear understanding of what is expected of them, and how they can contribute to the team's success.?

a. Understand the needs of your business and break them down into specific workable tasks for your remote team. Define what you need from each team member and assessment of work output.?

b. Work with your team to develop a plan that will consider the goals of the business. Define the timeline, priorities, and milestones of the project. Make sure everyone agrees on the plan before moving forward.?

2. Foster open communication - Encourage regular communication to help overcome the limitations of working remotely.??

a. Use various communication tools for video conferencing to allow team members to discuss, share concerns, and ideas quickly and build better relationships. Encourage team members to use video, audio, and messaging tools for ease in swift communication. Instant messaging tools like Slack and video conferencing tools like Zoom, and Microsoft Teams can facilitate communication between team members and help them feel connected.?

b. Making yourself available to remote team workers provides them with a sense of connection, and shows that you are supportive of their success.?

3. Establish trust and accountability - Building trust in remote teams is crucial. It establishes a comfortable environment where team members can voice their opinions and share their feedback freely. Creating accountability encourages team members to meet their deadlines, making it easier to manage projects.?

4. Necessary tools and resources - Provide your team with the tools they need for efficient and effective remote collaboration. These can include project management tools, communication software, and online training resources.?

a. Provide your remote team with the right tools and resources, including laptops, software applications, and access to company data so that they can be productive working at home.?

b. Quality online training can help upskill and re-skill your team, keeping them updated and informed.?

5. Facilitate team building and social interactions - Remote teams can feel alone and disconnected. Facilitating social interactions and engaging in team-building activities like games can help maintain team bonds and help remote workers feel connected.

a. 10-15-minute virtual coffee breaks can keep everyone connected and provide an opportunity to relax remote team members.?

b. Team-building games and challenges can keep things light and fun while building team rapport.?

c. Encourage non-work-related conversations. For example, members of the team can share photographs of their pets or talk about their hobbies to help establish a personal relationship and build trust.?

Remote work is undoubtedly challenging, but a well-managed remote team can be highly effective. Clear expectations, open communication, effective planning, trust, team building, and social interactions play a significant role in managing remote teams successfully. These tips are a great starting point to achieve this.???

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!!?

By Jaya Pandey , Manager- Medical Projects,?Neovation Consultancy Services