Remote working is an increasing option for workers in the UK, with many benefits for both employees and companies. Workers tend to be happier and less stressed if their job has a more flexible approach and if the problem of commuting is taken out of the equation. It’s also beneficial for the employer in that it can lower operational costs as a large working space is not required, and with happier staff means a more efficient and productive workload. In this post we’re going to give you 3 tips that will help you run a remote team.
Find the right people
- Expand your search.
A benefit of remote working is that you can look far and wide for the right candidate. By reaching out to a larger audience means that you’re not restricted to people who live close to the workplace.
- Use a variety of interview methods.
You can assess each candidate by email, phone and Skype to get a good idea of their verbal and written skills.
Good Processes
- Check in often.
Effective management processes are necessary to ensure your remote workers stay focused and productive. Talk often in a group chat or video call to discuss any issues or progress updates.
- Clear guidelines.
Set clear guidelines from the off, then your workers will know exactly what is required of them. For example, if they’re expected to be online at a certain time or how quickly they need to respond to emails.
- Training opportunities.
Provide your workers with the right training opportunities with relevant eLearning courses. EssentialSkillz offer a range of courses, from Health & Safety, DSE Training and Business Protection.
Use the right tools
- Google Drive.
If you are collaborating on spreadsheets or documents with your colleagues consider using a tool such as Google Drive as it allows users to access the data from anywhere and is easy to edit work.
- Google Hangouts.
For better communication with colleagues or clients use Google Hangouts as you can message or video call anyone on your contact list that is online. This is also a useful tool if you need to share your screen to go through work together.
- Pivotal Tracker.
A good tool for project planning is Pivotal Tracker, as it is easy to use and allows you to manage team projects and keep to deadlines.
Remote working can be challenging at times, but if you follow these 3 tips it will allow you to achieve the results you want.
