The one thing we learned from the unfortunate year of 2020 is that almost every aspect of our lives can be transitioned online. Whether it is shopping, retail, training, education, or business, many industries took on a remote working lifestyle, allowing employees to continue with their jobs from anywhere in the world.
Switching from the traditional office-work style initially felt intimidating, but soon many business owners came to terms with the advantages of a remote workforce. Not only does it promote productivity and creativity, but it also saves on workplace costs, increases retention rates, and offers a more diverse talent pool to choose from.
If you’re thinking of making the switch to a remote workforce, or have already done so, here are a few tips by Maxwell Drever on how to manage your new team effectively. Maxwell Drever’s Tips on How to Manage a Remote Workforce.
Define roles and expectations
The first step is to ensure that everyone on your team knows their role and what is expected of them. When working remotely, it can be easy for lines to get blurred and for tasks to fall through the cracks. By setting clear expectations from the beginning, you can avoid any confusion or frustration down the road.
Create a communication plan
Since everyone will be working from different locations, Maxwell Drever believes it’s important to have a solid communication plan. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows how and when to communicate with each other. You may want to consider using a project management tool like Asana or Trello to help with this.
Schedule regular check-ins
Another important part of effective remote management is staying in touch with your team members. Schedule regular check-ins, whether it’s daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, so that you can touch base on what everyone is working on and see how they’re doing. This is also a good time to answer any questions or address any concerns they may have.
Be available and approachable
Since you won’t be in the same physical space as your team, making yourself as available and approachable as possible is important. This means being responsive to emails and messages, being open to video chats, and making yourself available whenever someone needs to talk.
Encourage collaboration
One of the benefits of a remote workforce is that it promotes collaboration and creativity. Encourage your team members to work together on projects, share ideas, and provide feedback to each other. This will help them feel more connected and engaged with their work.
Set up systems and processes
Last but not least, you’ll need to set up systems and processes to help manage your remote team effectively. An effective system includes things like time tracking, task management, and expense reporting. By having these systems in place, you can stay organized and on top of everything that’s going on.
Bottom Line
Maxwell Drever emphasizes that while making the switch to a remote workforce can be a big adjustment, it doesn’t necessarily have to be daunting. You can set your team up for success with a little planning and preparation. These tips will help you get started on the right foot.