The business world has changed dramatically over the course of the last year. The restrictions created by the rise of COVID-19 has made it so that groups of people congregating together are a health hazard. This, in turn, has made it difficult for some businesses to return to their normal flow. A majority of companies have opted to keep their employees working remotely. While there are a ton of benefits to this decision, you also need to think about how you can get the most out of your team when they aren’t physically in the same space.
While it might seem difficult to manage people from a distance, it actually is incredibly simple with a bit of forethought. Most employees will get their work done at a good pace when left to their own devices. Take a look at these tips and see how you can encourage the best results from your team.
Work Out Response Time Standards
When you’re in an office, it is generally easy to get in contact with another employee to discuss a project or plan for a meeting. However, this is not the case when all of your employees are working from different locations. If you send an email and don’t get a reply for several hours, it can be upsetting. Unfortunately, there usually is not a precedent for this type of scenario. If you want your staff to reply within a certain amount of time, you need to set the standards and have an open discussion about your expectations.
With this said, you also need to be realistic. The world is in a state of chaos between the fear of the novel coronavirus and other tensions. You can’t expect your employees to be focused on work when the future is so uncertain. Set sensible standards and be flexible whenever possible. A person working from home and taking care of three kids is not someone who is going to have an easy time getting back to you at a consistent pace. When you’re flexible, you’ll find you’re much happier with the results you are getting.
Use the Latest Programs and Applications
Technology has come a long way in recent years. While this year might be packed with surprises, the quarantine imposed in many places could not have happened at a more convenient time for technology. Between devices meant for binging television shows to video conferencing software, there are all kinds of ways to connect, distract, and get work done from the comfort of your own home. Naturally, this means you will be able to find a ton of programs and applications meant to make your work easier with remote employees.
Take time to look over the various tasks you need to take care of each day for your remote workers. Next, look into what programs exist to help solve common problems with these tasks. Whether you need help tracking the hours a person is working from home or you require software that includes a comprehensive paystub generator, there are tons of applications out there waiting to be discovered. Conduct a little research and you’ll easily find the right options that will help make daily tasks a lot easier for you moving forward.
Learn To RelaxÂ
Studies find that employees produce the best results when they are not being constantly micromanaged. In fact, the average person actually turns out better work at a faster pace when there’s not someone breathing down his or her neck. When you want to get the most out of your remote workers, you need to learn how to relax. Take time to think before you reach out to an employee. Consider whether or not you can wait a bit before pushing to see the status of a project. This extra time can make all the difference and even improve your relationships.
For remote workers to truly thrive, a business needs to gear itself for the challenges in store. Take time to think about how you can see the best results from your employees. With a little time and forethought, you can create a system that helps your business see the success it deserves during these new and challenging times.
Lindsey Patterson is a freelance writer and entrepreneur based in the US who specialises in business technology, customer relationship management and lead management. She also writes about the latest social trends, specifically involving social media.
