Top 7 tips to manage your remote staff like a pro

The future of work is remote
The shift to remote work is happening now. Global workplace analytics reports suggest that 90% of employees work remotely at least once a week.

Have you ever worked whilst on vacation or when traveling for business? That is remote work. All your work is being done on the internet – you communicate via cloud-based tools and you are virtually connected with your colleagues without being physically present in your office.

If you and your team have been working-from-home and you fear a drop in performance or a loss of productivity from the move then this is the time to learn from experts in the industry about building a successful remote team.

These 7 effective and proven ways will help you to manage your remote staff like a pro!

1. Set clear expectations

Setting expectations for your employees is an essential responsibility that some managers gloss over. It allows your staff to know exactly what is expected of them and what their goals are.

2. Trust your team

The more you know people, the more you trust them. Smart Working understands this and encourages remote teams to make socializing a priority. If you can spend time having conversations about life outside of work it will help you build a stronger team.

3. Make them feel inclusive

It is essential to create a culture of collaboration vs competition by making sure everyone feels supported. Your team must all feel that they can succeed.

4. Stay focused on goals and not on activities

When you set a goal you naturally direct your attention toward a next step and, as a result, lead yourself in the right direction which forces your actions—your behaviors—to follow. Make sure your team is doing this with you.

5. Create a communication strategy

An effective communication culture for a remote team can dramatically impact their overall effectiveness, productivity, and long-term viability. Building effective communication across remote teams is not only possible: it’s necessary for long-term success.

6. Offer encouragement and emotional support

Research by the Harvard Business Review shows that a leader’s emotional disposition can create a certain culture or work environment. A good or bad mood can quite literally make or break your team.

7. Celebrate success

One of the best ways to boost team morale and help your employees feel the love is by celebrating their success. You can throw an online party, buy them gift cards, or give them a day off. This will take your work relationship with your remote employees to the next level.

Smart Working is a leader in providing remote staff and understands that successful remote work is critical to businesses now.