Times are changing, and in this digital age, employees are getting the option of working in-house or remotely. Companies realize they can expand their talent pool worldwide and save office space at the same time.
Managing a hybrid model for your workforce can be challenging, so it takes a new way of thinking to be successful in today’s work climate. How can you be successful in bringing staff together to collaborate in business? Here are six tips for working on a business project remotely.
Tip #1: Set Clear Expectations or Goals
Working remotely can often disrupt the natural flow of information, and there must be clear communication to solve these problems. All workers must be aligned with the project’s goals and work towards the overall mission. When employees know what is expected of them, they can be more focused on their specific tasks and those of the team.
Make sure there is constant communication through conferencing, one-on-one meetings and written communication for all team members to know key priorities, processes, and systems to be used. When this is done upfront, the team can be more effective and confident during the project and be successful.
Tip #2: Team Collaboration Software
Even at the best of times, organizing the remote workforce to communicate and collaborate is difficult. The solution: team collaboration software.
Digital workplace software creates a cohesive workplace where all of your staff can engage, create and share project material in one place. It will align your team and connect them in real-time communication through various modes, including:
- Newsfeeds
- Social media
- Mobile apps
- Share boxes
- Unique communities
It is a simple platform that makes communication and collaboration seamless and is a hub for all workers to connect.
Tip #3: Maintain a Constant Work Schedule
Working remotely can be challenging because some team members will be in different time zones, depending on their geographic location. Regardless of any time difference, there needs to be a fixed schedule where everyone can conduct their work simultaneously.
This may involve some members working in the evenings or early in the morning, but you need a cohesive workforce that is on the same page and up to date. Problem-solving is more efficient because it can be done immediately, and communication happens in real-time.
Tip #4: Put Trust in Your Team Members
In an office environment, you can monitor your workforce and address any situation that doesn’t positively affect the team. With employees working remotely, it can be challenging. You must trust workers fully, which involves the right processes and plans.
Micromanaging will only demotivate your team and cause irritation and negativity within the project, so it is essential to have confidence and build an alliance that brings the team together. This makes every team member more engaged in the project and has the desire for excellence. By creating clear expectations and facilitating collaboration and trust in your remote workers, they will strive to be at their best and give their all to the project.
Tip #5: Make Sure Team Members Know Their Role
Tasks can more easily fall through the cracks with a remote workforce, and sometimes employees are focused on the wrong things. Setting specific roles for team members better organizes the project and will keep you on schedule. Here are some great methods:
- Check in regularly with the entire team so everyone is on the same page, and also meet one on one to give regular task lists and updates.
- Use a project board to track and assign projects and tasks that everyone can access. This can usually be done within your team collaboration or employee communication software.
- End communications and meetings with action items for each team member to work on. This will focus them on what needs to be done in real-time.
- Assign new tasks as they come and make sure it is communicated to specific people.
When everyone knows what is expected of them daily, they can be focused and on task more easily. This, in turn, can move projects toward completion faster and prioritizes outcomes over busy work.
Tip #6: Instill Independence
Some employees find it hard to transition to remote work. At first, it seems great, but it can be hard to focus on tasks when there are so many distractions, like the comfort and routine of your home.
Encourage your workforce to be independent and understand the freedom in their position. They need to balance their workload with their personal life to be productive and happy simultaneously. Get them to take their laptop to a park and work from there for a day. Encourage them to pursue their hobbies and balance their digital nomad life because that freedom will give them a sense of independence while still committing to the group project.
This is how to successfully work on a business project remotely. Use these tips to guide your modern work life because they will help you be more confident and comfortable in your remote role and keep you engaged and productive within the team.
