Managing Remote Team The Practices for Effective Management of Remote Team Agenda Effective Management And Expectations in Managing Remote Staff Challenges of managing remote staff and how to mitigate those challenges C.A.R.E Useful Tools For Managing Remote Staff Introduction This year we have seen a massive shift towards remote working, and it is here to stay. A new trend is now taking place’ Work From Anywhere’ some expert believes the world is our office, and we should leverage these new conditions to work from wherever we please. Remote Management “Remote management is not radically different from managing people on-site. The biggest difference is a shift in management style from “eyeball management” (assuming workers are being productive because you physically see them at their desks working) to managing by results.” — Phil Montero Effective Management And Expectations in Managing Remote Staff Goals and Objectives should be Clear In a virtual work setting, the importance of having clear goals and objectives cannot be overstated. It’s much easier for a remote team to achieve what’s expected of it when everyone is on board with what’s needed at the end of the assignment. Schedule Regular Calls And Meeting Regular calls and meetings will keep everyone apprised of what’s been accomplished, any project setbacks, any important details related to individual staff responsibilities and duties, and other relevant information. A meeting agenda should be shared ahead of time so everyone can prepare adequately. Keeping regular meeting minutes are also an asset, as the minutes can serve as a to-do list for the time between now and the next-scheduled meeting. Keep the Communication Line Open In order to answer any questions or concerns from your remote team, it’s necessary to be readily accessible to address requests and questions. An instant messaging platform is an example of where you can quickly address worker concerns or inquiries. Other methods for daily communication can include telephone call or email communications. If you won’t be available, be sure to let your remote team know. Make Sure Expectations are Clear In a remote team setting, one of the most important elements to be mindful of is accountability. Having standards in place for accountability, as well as for streamlined team performance, is essential. These expectations should be stated upfront, clearly, and where remote team members are aware of what’s required of them. That way, they know the expectations set for them and are mindful of how things should work. Be Sure You and Your Team Use the Right Remote Work Tools Communication and collaboration between you and your remote staff are only as effective as the tools you use. A truly effective remote work team will have all the vital remote work tools. These tools can include email, a file sharing capacity (e.g. Dropbox), an instant messaging platform, screen sharing software, project management software, and any tools or resources specific to your industry. Make Sure Remote Staffs Are Comfortable For best performance results, make sure your remote staff are comfortable at various home office setting. You can assist them with equipment that will help them work well. This will boost their moral and motivate them to work well. Also be aware of signs of burnout or frustration, which can result from feeling 'always-on' when working remotely Address Their Needs Do your remote staff have everything they need for performing their job duties? It’s recommended that you be sure they have access to the tools and resources they require. For remote team members, one of the most frustrating problems to deal with is a complicated IT problem. If there’s no one available to help him or her through it, there can be a dramatic impact on staff morale. Dealing with a difficult customer without adequate support can produce the same negative effect. Maintain Up-to-Date Process Documents Having documentation of processes for completing common tasks and projects is of prime importance. Keeping these documents fresh, easy-to understand, and up-to-date can be invaluable in saving man-hours and money. Promote a Positive Team Environment An important factor for many professionals is for them to feel valued. Aside from the personal reinforcement a positive team environment gives an individual team member, it’s important to instill a team culture that’s premised upon mutual respect and trust. Keeping your remote workers up-to-date with what’s going on with your company’s core team or other team segments can help in fostering company identity, as well. Give Feedback and Praise Having a performance review system in place will help remote staff to know their performance and areas they are strong or need to improve. Monthly or quarterly one-to-one performance reviews are recommended to review work performance. If improvement is needed in some areas, be sure to convey that and constructive feedback to the staff. Make your staff aware of their professional strengths and weaknesses it will help their professional development. Challenges Social Isolation Challenges Loneliness is one of the most common complaints about remote work. Over a longer period, isolation can cause any employee to feel less “belonging” to their organization. Family Issue Technology Issue Challenges Staying Motivated For managers kindly show that you CARE. C.A.R.E. • C - Connect often with each other. Text, Telephone, Email, IM, WhatsApp • A - Ask about their loved ones, their well-being and what they need from you • R - Remember anxiety is contagious, but so is compassion • E - Empathize Useful Tools In Managing Remote Staff Task Management- Trello/Microsoft project This are task management program that can be opened by everyone on your team and changed in real-time. It displays projects, who is working on them, and what has been accomplished. GoToMeeting/ ZOOM/Microsoft team This are the best professional conferencing software available and is ideal for remote employees who need to conduct meetings with clients. Dropbox One thing your business and your remote staff are going to need is a single repository from which to draw and work on all your important documentation. Dropbox is the perfect solution. Closing Thoughts Even though you are in different locations, there are ample opportunities to establish quality performance standards, relationship building opportunities, and staff support for your remote team. Have your project goals and work environment standards in place, be upfront about what’s expected of your remote team members and take time to promote their own contributions as well as their own professional satisfaction and sense of worth. By fostering an environment of high-performance standards, mutual respect and trust, and team cohesiveness, you can be effective in taking your team’s productivity and efficiency to new heights. Questions Thank You Matgrace Consulting LLC Discover Our Expertise Matgrace Consulting LLC exists to solve the critical issues facing our clients, both large and small. Our unique approach is not only what differentiates us, but also what makes us successful. We provide a broad range of services and solutions to help organizations facilitate change, achieve their vision and optimize performance and productivity. Our Services: Change Management Strategic Management/Planning Risk Management IT Consulting Project Management Tel:2406453951 Email: matthewo@matgrace.com