Remote working may not work successfully for many businesses depending on how you operate, but if there is any opportunity to install remote working opportunities within your company, there are many benefits you can reap as a result.
These include:
- Reducing running costs if you can avoid outgoings such as premises, rent, and utility bills
- Improving employee satisfaction, if they respond well to being able to work remotely (such as from home)
- An increase in productivity. The fact that employees can avoid a hefty commute and spend more time concentrating on their working hours can help to improve focus and productivity.
- Helps to avoid problems. There are many things that can go wrong during a business day; employees could miss their public transport, run into an unexpected traffic jam, fall ill or bad weather could mean employees are unable to get into the office. Remote working means employees can still perform their duties from home or a remote location.
Even if you can only install remote working for one day of the week, there are still savings and benefits to be had.
Top Tips for Managing a Remote Team
Even being aware of the benefits of remote work, it may still seem an intimidating prospect if you are not sure how best to manage a remote team. Here are some helpful tips.
Ensure Regular Check-Ins
One area which can cause problems for remote teams is the lack of contact. Scheduling regular check-ins can not only help business efficiency and ensure that employees are doing what they should be, but it can also help employees to avoid feeling isolated or cut off from the business.
You might want to organize end of day catch ups with a phone call or email, or maybe even a video team meeting at the end of the week to check how everyone is doing. It is important not to over-schedule these, however, as it can lead to micro-managing your employees.
Use Software or Services Which Help You to Stay Connected
The best way to ensure communication between a remote team is to work from one clear software solution or service. Services, such as those from ovatiotech.com, mean that remote teams can have easy access to collaboration, meetings, chats and also have access to all the business files that are needed to complete their jobs from a remote position. Or you can also keep a track of the work progress of your employees through remote employee monitoring software to maintain productivity.
Provide Employees with Everything They Need
Remote employees need to be equipped in the same way that in-house employees would, especially when it comes to technology. If your remote workers need access to smart devices and a computer, be sure to equip them with everything they need to be able to do their job in the same way they would in the workplace.
Be Supportive
Being a remote employee does not mean that you no longer have access to in-house support. Ensuring that you are still supportive on a psychological and emotional level for all employees will help for a positive remote working experience. Make sure that employees have a line of contact to you should they need to discuss any concerns, and make sure you respond to those concerns.
Are you considering remote employees for your business? Use these top tips to ensure a smooth working experience.