If you are used to working remotely or managing a remote team, the recent social distancing guidelines resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak may be your “business as usual.” For many companies, however, remote work is brand new, and perhaps a little awkward.
These three tips can help smooth the transition from your work to remote office and help you stay connected to your team.
Check in often.
How you communicate is up to you, but the most important thing about managing a remote workforce is staying in touch with your coworkers. Luckily, in this day and age there is no shortage of virtual communication tools.
For example, you can keep your team organized and on track by using websites like Trello. This platform allows you to create different “boards” for each to-do item and add your staff so you can share attachments, project details, and due dates.
If you would rather not introduce a new technology to your team during this time of transition, simply schedule daily calls with your team members to talk through different projects or deadlines. These can be conference calls and/or one-on-one calls with each coworker. And, while emailing is also a great way to keep communication consistent, a phone call can keep a semblance of “office” life.
Stay social.
Humans are social creatures. It is important to have a space to converse with your coworkers, just as you would in the office.
Platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Hangouts provide an outlet to continue strengthening the interpersonal relationships within your team. It is possible, and important, to have “water cooler” or small talk conversations while working remotely. Your team may work better together if they are given the opportunity to take a short break from work and chit chat with one another.
Adopt a video platform.
If you find yourself suddenly working from home or another location away from the office, you may start miss face-to-face interaction with your coworkers and peers. Video conferencing can help fill that gap.
Programs like Zoom, GoToMeeting, or Skype allow you to see you team, albeit via screen. Body language and tone of voice play important roles in our conversations, so it is sometimes important to touch base face-to-face rather than by email or phone.
An abrupt office-to-remote transition can be a hard adjustment, but The Reserves Network is here to help. For more workforce management tips, or if you are in need of a remote workforce, contact our recruiting experts today.