Before the pandemic, things were going very smoothly: people came to the office, took an hour of collecting motivation before starting work, took a lunch break to catch up on office gossip, and then later logged out. But then, COVID-19 happened and the working world just kind of flipped upside down. Fun fact, a survey from Owl Labs showed that close to 70% of full-time workers were working from home during the pandemic.
And once the pandemic started to say goodbye, people were not ready to leave the comfort of working from home. Once COVID ended, 92% of people surveyed said that they wanted to work from home at least 1 day per week. And 59% of them said that they would choose to work with a company that would give them remote work over those that called them to the office(boring!).
Advantages of Remote Work
Work-Life Balance
Just think of a magic wand that lets you decide when and where you do your job. With remote work, it’s a bit like having that magic wand. You get to pick if you want to work in your home, a cool coffee shop, or maybe even in your favorite park.
Now, think about your day. There are job things you need to do, like finishing a report or joining a meeting, right? But there are also non-job things, like taking care of your family, maybe playing with your pets, or just chilling out.
Remote work makes it easier to do both. You can plan your work around your life, and your life around your work. Need to run an errand in the middle of the day? Go for it! As long as you get your job stuff done, it’s all good.
Get Stuff Done
Think of it like this: Imagine you’re trying to finish a puzzle, but people keep coming up to you, asking questions, or making noise. It’s hard to concentrate, right?
Now, picture working from home. There are no interruptions like in an office. No one is tapping you on the shoulder every few minutes. You get to create your own quiet space. It’s like having a super-focused bubble around you.
And guess what? When you can focus better, you can finish your work faster. It’s like speeding through that puzzle when no one is bothering you. When you’re done, you feel awesome – like you’ve climbed a mountain or won a game. That’s the feeling of getting stuff done when you work from home. It’s all about being super focused, getting your tasks done quickly, and then giving yourself a well-deserved pat on the back.
Meet People Everywhere
Giving remote work gives you access to talent from every corner of the globe – different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. You share ideas and learn things you never knew before. Everyone brings new ideas to the table and helps to improve your company’s bottom line.
How to Manage Your Remote Workers Effectively
Now let’s see how you can manage your remote team so they all work efficiently and get the job done by the end of the day.
Set Clear Expectations
When you start a project, it’s like going on an adventure. Before you set off, it’s super important to tell everyone what to expect. This means laying down some ground rules, like when to work and when to take a break. Everyone needs to know what the game plan is – the goals, the important dates, and what success looks like. It’s like giving everyone a map so they know where they’re headed. And just like any good adventure guide, be there to answer questions and make things clear along the way.
Just like you keep your friends updated on what’s happening in your life, managers should keep their team in the loop. Share any changes in the rules or new things happening in the company. And remember, leaders should lead by example. If you don’t want your team to be sending work emails at midnight, then don’t do it yourself.
Know the Work From Home Problems
If you want to be good at managing a remote team then you need to know what problems your people face every day. Here are some things to help you:
1. Missing Friendly Faces:
One big challenge of working from home is missing the familiar faces of our work buddies. You know, the coffee break chats and high-fives. It’s like our work family is a bit far away. But hey, we can fix that by using cool tools that help us chat and see each other. It’s like having a virtual coffee break with your pals!
2. Tired of Zooming:
Sometimes, too much video chatting can be exhausting. Staring at screens all day feels like a marathon for our eyes. So, let’s be kind to our eyes! We can decide as a team when to show our faces on video calls and when it’s okay to take a break from the camera. No need to be on camera all the time – unless we’re talking to clients. The eyes need a break too you know.
3. Communication Hiccups:
When we’re not in the same place, it’s tricky to know when someone’s available for a quick chat. Emails and messages might get lost in the internet jungle. But don’t worry, we can fix this by being super good at talking to each other. Managers, especially, can show us the way by being awesome communicators.
4. Home Sweet Home Distractions:
Working at home can sometimes feel like a comedy show – with unexpected interruptions from a coffee spill or a loud kiddo. But that’s okay! As long as these funny moments don’t happen all the time, we can just laugh it off. Patience is key, especially when working from home is a temporary thing.
Set a Standard
Setting clear remote work standards is like giving everyone a simple recipe for success. It’s about making sure each person knows what’s expected in their job. Just like each chef has a way of cooking, different jobs have their unique standards. Whether you’re finishing coding projects or helping clients in a call center without any background noise, the key is to be clear about what needs to be done.
Think of it as everyone bringing their own flavor to the team. A recruiter might have goals for interviews and job placements, while a developer focuses on project deadlines. Writing down these standards is like having a recipe book. It helps us see if something’s not quite right, like if someone needs a break or some extra help.
Invest in the Right Tools
Imagine working from home is like building something amazing, and you need the right tools to make it happen. Here’s what you need in your virtual toolbox:
Chat and Team Tools:
Think of these like your virtual office. Tools like Google Hangouts and Slack help you talk to your work buddies, share ideas, and get things done together.
Video Calls:
It’s like having a face-to-face meeting, but you don’t have to leave your comfy chair. Video calls make work feel more personal and fun.
Screen Sharing:
Ever wished you could show your work without sending a bunch of pictures? Screen sharing lets you invite others to see exactly what’s on your computer screen. It’s like magic for teamwork!
Project To-Do List:
Tools like Asana or Wrike are like your digital to-do list. Everyone can see what needs doing, who’s doing it, and when it needs to be finished.
New Friend, Onboarding Software:
When new folks join the team, onboarding software is like their helpful guide. It gets them settled in smoothly so they can start rocking it with the team.
HR Help at Your Fingertips:
HR stuff made easy! With self-service tools, you can handle things like time off or updates all on your own. It’s like having HR in your pocket.
Set time for team interaction
Before COVID, we all had a water cooler where we would go and chat on office gossip. Well, creating that water cooler online might need a bit of extra creativity for remote teams. When you’ve got some team members in the office and others working from home, it’s important to make sure everyone feels included.
Think of it like planning a get-together, even if it’s online. Set specific days and times when everyone can hang out virtually. It might seem a bit forced at first, but it’s a chance for your team to bond and chat about things beyond work.
Ask everyone to reach out regularly – you to them, and them to you. How often you check-in depends on the job and what needs to get done from home.
Think of email, instant messages, and Zoom calls as your remote team’s communication toolbox. Each tool has its purpose, so use them wisely to keep everyone in the loop.
- Imagine a big family calendar hanging in the kitchen. Now, picture that online. Keeping workday calendars updated on a shared platform helps everyone know who’s doing what and when. It’s like a digital family planner.
- Ever set your email to say you’re away? It’s like putting a sign on your door saying, “Back in a bit.” These little things might seem small, but they’re like road signs that help avoid communication jams.
- In a remote office, picking up the phone or scheduling quick video calls can be a game-changer. It’s like having a shortcut to clear up questions and avoid long email chains. A short chat can save a ton of typing.
Help the Employees Mingle
Imagine work is like a big potluck, and everyone bringing their unique dish makes it more enjoyable. Well, having good relationships at work is like adding a secret ingredient that makes everything even better. Studies show that when people are friends at work, they do their jobs better and make customers happy. This makes a workplace that’s both fun and safe.
Now, for those who work from home, it’s a bit like a cool challenge. Since we’re not all in the same place, making friends becomes super important. Without those casual chats in the office hallway, we need to make an extra effort.
Managers and leaders play a big role – they need to make sure everyone feels included and not left out. It’s like making sure no one misses out on the good stuff just because they’re not in the same office.
Micromanage Online? NO NO!
Micromanaging is a bit like trying to control every move in a game – it’s not fun for anyone. Just like you wouldn’t hover over your team in the office, you shouldn’t do it when they’re working from home. Instead, have regular one-on-one check-ins. It’s like having a friendly chat to see how things are going, without getting too nosy. This way, managers can stay in the loop, share feedback, and make sure everyone’s on the same page.
Trust is a big deal. Imagine your team as a group of superheroes. If they’re keeping you in the loop, hitting their goals, and finishing tasks on time, they’re like superheroes doing their thing.
So, instead of micromanaging, believe in your team’s superpowers.
Collaborate A LOT
Think of team collaboration as putting together a puzzle. Sometimes, the best pieces come together during those spontaneous chats, like when you’re grabbing coffee with a colleague. For remote teams, it’s important to create a vibe where everyone feels connected, almost like having a friendly chat over a virtual coffee break.
Imagine your work buddies are like your professional pals. If teams don’t make an effort to talk and share ideas, it’s a bit like missing out on some great stories. A bunch of folks in a survey even said that not working together well caused workplace issues. Not including remote team members in decisions can make them feel left out.
Remote Does NOT Mean It’s Cheap
Let’s talk about money when it comes to remote work – it’s like managing your household budget. Some might think that if you cut office space in half, you’ll automatically save half the costs. But it’s not that simple. Sure, you might spend less on office space, but those savings might end up being used in other places.
For example, if your team is scattered across different states, you might need to budget more for travel when they visit the main office. Plus, you might have to invest in new tools or better equipment, like headsets, to make sure your remote team is all set up to work.
It’s a bit like shifting money from one category to another. Remote workers can be super productive, maybe even more so than those in the office. The key is to make sure they have everything they need to do their best work, even if it means adjusting the budget a bit.
Don’t be too Rigid
Think of flexibility like giving your remote team a superhero badge. It’s their secret power to do their best work. Sure, you need some basic rules for meetings but don’t make things too complicated.
If someone wants to squeeze in a run in the afternoon or a parent needs to handle school stuff during the day, it’s no big deal. Remote workers have lives, and giving them the freedom to handle things their way is like letting them wear their superhero cape. Trusting them with that flexibility makes them care even more about saving the day for your company. It’s like saying, “You’ve got this!”
Challenges of Remote Working
Lonely Vibes:
Working from home can sometimes feel like a solo performance. Without the usual office banter and faces around, it gets a bit quiet. It’s like missing the background music of your workday.
Tech Hurdles:
Imagine trying to juggle too many apps – sometimes technology can be a handful. From video calls freezing to mysterious error messages, it’s like dealing with a misbehaving pet.
Home vs. Work Blur:
When your home is your office, it’s like having your work desk next to your couch. It gets tricky to separate work time from relaxation time. It’s a bit like trying to enjoy a movie when the scenes keep mixing up.
Communication Puzzle:
Without those quick chats by the coffee machine, getting everyone on the same page becomes a bit like solving a puzzle. It’s like playing a game of telephone where the message sometimes gets a little fuzzy.
Distraction Dilemma:
Ever tried to focus with a cute pet or noisy neighbors around? Working from home sometimes means battling distractions. It’s like trying to read a book in a busy cafe – not impossible, but definitely challenging.
