Remote Team
It is essential for the operational flow that managers are always aware of what is happening in the company. However, whether because of field work, home office , travel or any other scenario, it is not always possible to be close to employees at all times. That’s why managing remote teams is essential. In this article we will make you aware how to manage a remote team?
Online procedures, corporate software and other tools break down the wall that limits operational activities to the physical presence of employees. However, not all professionals are correctly aligned with this modality, and it is necessary to adopt some practices to extract the best from each talent involved.
With that in mind, we created this content for you to manage exemplary remote teams. Keep reading.
The importance of managing remote teams
Technology has enabled long-distance work links. Access via the network is practically consolidated in companies. With it, professionals from any location in the world can perform tasks and projects without being physically in the company.
This new way of working has gained notoriety with the advances of the internet and applications. With good management of remote teams, you can promote the involvement of the entire team, establish a collaborative relationship between colleagues and allow goals and objectives to be achieved.
However, this performance presents several challenges. Because of this, it is important to develop intelligent ways of managing talent, so that activities are performed with dynamism, quality and efficiency.
8 tips for managing remote teams
Let’s go to the tips how to manage a remote team?
1. Create a work plan
In this planning, you guide employees as they work outside the company. This material — which can be made available virtually — must include the new work format and information about the possibility of performing tasks outside of business hours (when necessary), as is the case with e-commerce sales teams.
The plan also needs to show schedules for projects, meetings, communication channels with other sectors (such as administrative, financial and HR), information to access the company’s internal software, safety standards for external work, etc.
2. Make an appearance
The objectives will only be achieved if the leader is always present and aware of what is happening remotely. In other words, the presence of leadership impacts productivity in a positive and competitive way, since this type of action can boost the performance of teams. For this, in addition to the daily relationship with the team members, leave a form of contact to ask questions and provide guidance on specific or urgent cases.
3. Instill good communication
In the daily exchange of messages, it is common to be practical and objective. We are busy all the time, and our co-workers are possibly in the same condition.
However, with a remote team, being too brief can be problematic. The practice of detailing instructions and encouraging questions avoids adversity and arguments. In addition, it reduces doubts and ensures that tasks are delivered on time.
So be sure to explain everything. Allow the team to inquire into the processes as well. This shows understanding and interest, signaling that the employees understood everything about the processes. In this way, the functions do not deviate from the intended purpose.
4. Decentralize decision making
Autonomy to work is the key to streamline everything. In plastered companies, in the conventional work routine, it is common for employees to constantly respond to superiors, which ends up bureaucratizing the operational part.
It so happens that, in remote operations, this transfer of decisions needs to be more flexible so that everything flows naturally, without exaggerated impediments. The recommended thing is to trust the professional capacity of the entire team (assistants, assistants and analysts).
Give professionals more freedom to perform functions and achieve goals, without supervision at all times. By the way, this helps to unburden the routine of managers, who can pursue innovative and structural improvements.
5. Organize training
If you are looking for talent to work remotely, choose proactive professionals who embrace the same vision and values of the institution. For this, it is important to make expectations clear from the beginning.
Conduct a uniform training process, covering topics such as detailing goals, task execution, and job descriptions and responsibilities of all team members.
6. Promote remote integration
As much as the team is distant, it is essential that there is a respectful and friendly relationship between everyone. This favors interpersonal contact, helps in resource management and awakens collective feeling. With these factors, the execution of the work becomes simpler and more agile.
In order to strengthen ties between people, get to know each member, their personal preferences, interests in the profession, skills, etc. Encourage employees to also engage in this type of interaction with their colleagues so they can get to know each other better.
Also, provide facilitators so that the group can interact with things that are not work-related, such as exchanging messages, photos, achievements and experiences. A company’s own social network can be a great mechanism for this.
7. Encourage a feedback culture
At times, talents do not feel comfortable making criticisms (about the leadership and their colleagues) or giving feedback on the progress of activities. However, this is essential and contributes to the collective development of the remote team.
That’s why it’s important to build a feedback culture. To do this, hold regular online meetings to give feedback to your subordinates, point out areas for improvement and praise them. It also allows the team to evaluate the work as a whole, both on a personal and operational level. Then use this information to optimize your management style and work.
8. Invest in technology
To manage remote teams, it is important to be aware of everything, but without exaggeration. In this sense, technology can facilitate this function. With the right tools, you can generate, share and view documents such as presentations and performance reports.
It is worth emphasizing that the role of technology goes beyond improving contacts through chats, audios and videos. It also guarantees the elaboration of operational methodologies, creates agile and constant updates on the progress of tasks, in addition to recording all the work carried out.
In addition to the organizational management software, which contains integrated data saved in the cloud for access by all users, it is worth taking care of the automation of work and sales contracts. Through the electronic signature , it is possible to make life easier for employees and customers, eliminating the need to travel to the headquarters to close a deal or deal. This is a smart way to manage remote teams.
We hope you have understood how to manage a remote team?
