We are in a time where working from home has become the new normal for many businesses. For some employees, it can be hard to adjust to this change, but with the right kind of management, everyone will be able to remain productive. As a manager, follow some of these best practices to keep your employees on track and to give them a sense of direction:
- Use a Communication Platform
Virtual communication can be very effective, if planned well. Online meetings can be used to cut through chatter and get things done. You can use tools like Zoom, Skype for Business, or Slack. Is it still easy to collaborate with your team on these video calls, and you can structure them in whatever way works best for your company. Along with work meetings, use these calls to maintain trust and connections with those in your team by setting up dedicated “fun” chats. Sometimes these kinds of check-ins are necessary for everyone’s well-being.
2. Take Advantage of the Cloud
With a dispersed team, it can be easy to lose track of projects. Use cloud-based file hosting providers like Dropbox and Google Drive to store work online. You can also use project management tools to keep everyone organized. It is important for all employees to stay productive, even while working from home.
3. Don’t be a Stranger
Being out of the office can make employees feel more alone, but it doesn’t have to be that way! You don’t want to micromanage employees, but it is important to be supportive and keep everyone in the loop. As a manager, you can offer regular coaching or weekly one-on-one check-ins to keep employees on track with current goals. These small acts can really go a long way in making remote workers still feel like part of a team.
4. Celebrate Success
Feedback can be easy to forget when working remotely. When one of your employees does a great job, let them know! Sometimes supervisors don’t realize that they’ve left remote workers hanging, so remember to continue to deliver constructive criticism. Positive and detailed feedback builds team spirit!
The biggest takeaway from this post is that remote work can still be just as effective and productive as going into the office each day. Working from home can take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, you will be able to make the most of it. Just remember to prioritize communication, and you will be able to keep your business running as usual.
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