5 Tips For Building a Robust Remote Team

Intro

The number of global employees working remotely has increased significantly in recent years, rising to 28% in 2023. This number increased thanks to various factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Millennial desire for a better work-life balance.

Regardless of the reason, the rising number of remote workers highlights the importance of building a robust remote team. In fact, 3M, Twitter and HubSpot are among the large companies that have already moved to remote work.

A remote working model has proven highly successful for increasing productivity. However, achieving a well-structured remote team takes time and careful implementation. This article will explore five tips for building a robust remote team.

Recruit Careful

To build a robust remote team, you need to recognize the employees who have the discipline, drive, and skill to work from home, as you won’t be there to supervise them.

Allow yourself more time with the recruitment process and favour the candidates with excellent communication skills, fast response times, and proficiency in their field. In addition, make sure your recruits align closely with your company’s culture and goals.

(Image Source: Statista)

Luckily, with the growing number of employees now demanding the flexibility of remote work, the recruitment process becomes a bit easier for companies seeking to hire top talent.

Be Clear On Work Expectations

Remote teams must understand expectations from day one. Start by establishing clear remote work expectations such as communication, task deadlines, and working hours. Here are some tips to ensure your remote team is on the same page:

• Use goal-setting frameworks to ensure remote employee goals align with company objectives.
• Establish clear communication methods such as email or instant messaging software.
• Provide regular performance feedback and address areas of improvement.
• Establish work commitments such as days expected, breaks allowed, and annual leave.

After establishing these clear guidelines and expectations, your team will know what you require from them, and they have no excuses for not meeting your expectations.

Engage With Remote Employees

Remember, there are many key differences between managing remote workers and in-person employees, the most important of which is communication.

Use reliable communication tools to engage with your remote team regularly. Disconnected and disengaged employees will not be as happy or productive.

Use communication tools such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Zoom to regularly check in with remote workers, hold team meetings, and host virtual team-building activities. Video conferencing has become crucial, with 90% of remote workers relying on it.

In addition to communication, team collaboration is especially important when trying to engage remote workers. Project management tools such as Zoho, Monday, and Trello can help you collaborate efficiently on projects.

Use Time Tracking

You may not be able to monitor remote employees in person, but you still need to ensure their productivity during working hours is meeting expectation.

Use time tracking software to ensure they’re working when they should be. In addition, time tracking software can help you identify where workflows could be more efficient and team members who need more training or structure.

There are many free and paid time tracking apps and software online, including TSheets, Zoho Projects, Hubstaff, VeriClock, and Clockify. These tools can send time-based reminders via your chosen communication platforms or provide auto-clockouts.

Supply The Right Equipment and Software Access

Depending on your team’s nature of work, they may need access to a computer or laptop, a mouse and keyboard, a printer, a smartphone, or more.

Some businesses ask employees to use their own computers and other devices. However, not everyone can afford good-quality technology, so it is better to supply your remote team with the equipment they need in order to increase your remote team’s chances of success.

In addition, you need to give your remote employees access to the software they need to do their jobs efficiently. This can include communication software such as Slack, editing software such as Adobe, a content management system, a stock image account, and a business email.

Ready To Build A Robust Remote Team?

Research shows remote workers are between 35 and 40% more productive than office workers.

However, we understand that successfully building a team of engaged and collaborated employees who are spread across the country or even the globe isn’t easy. By following the five tips explored in this article, you will reap the benefits of building a remote team.