The pandemic is
completely redefining the way teams communicate and work. While remote work
used to be offered by some companies as a way to offer a more flexible
lifestyle to their employees, it has now become the norm for most businesses.
Remote work is not
an option or a privilege any more. It has become the norm in most organizations
right after the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that COVID-19 reached
the pandemic status and urged Governments and other authorities to step in to
prevent the virus from spreading.
However,
managing remote employees comes with its own set of challenges. The following
tips will help you keep your remote employees inspired and engaged within a
cohesive and supportive environment.
Communication
Is Key.
It is crucial
that remote staff feel they are always able to communicate with their
colleagues, whether it’s their manager or someone else working the same tasks
in a different location. Of course, it’s impossible for everyone to be
available at all times, but through digital communication tools, staff can get
in touch with one another instantly.
Be Proactive
and Check In Frequently.
As remote teams
may feel disconnected, managers who lead remote teams need to make themselves
available. Frequent check-ins with remote workers is a great way to help them
overcome challenges that come with remote work. Waiting for an employee to
speak up may be too late. In fact, many of them will never decide to raise a
problem themselves. Frequently ask a simple question such as “How can I help
you be more productive and feel more connected.''
Make Collaboration
More Efficient.
Team
collaboration is one of the main factors for greater productivity. Therefore,
many employers are trying to improve the way remote teams work together. Team
collaboration and employee engagement solutions are the best way to eliminate
this challenge faced by most companies who have remote employees.
Empower Your Remote
Employees.
Remote workers
want to be a part of decision making in companies that they work for. They want
to have a word and be heard. Therefore, employers should empower remote
employees to make their own decisions, communicate and implement new ideas.
Be Personal.
Finally, it can
be easy for remote staff to feel they aren’t known by the rest of the team. In
offices, people chat on their coffee breaks and mix in a way that remote
workers cannot. Many digital communication platforms can help you create a
space for personal discussion where employees can relax and be themselves. In
general, making sure you get to know your staff is crucial to their motivation
and feeling of belonging.
Remember that
managing and engaging your employees is an opportunity, as well as a challenge
whether they work half way across the office or halfway across the country. With
a remote team, you need to harness more technology to stay connected.
When you’re
looking into how to engage remote employees and keeping remote employees
engaged, remember that it’s a constant task to nurture and develop. Engagement
is never a one size fits all approach or something you do once in a blue moon.
Keeping remote employees engaged turns them into your best and biggest asset.
Great
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