managing your team from home

polkadotfrog are specialists in permanent and temporary recruitment for the Finance,HR,Business Support and Financial Services industries.

 

1  avoid multi-tasking.

Try to avoid multi-tasking and use online video tools to maximise communication. This should help remote teams stay in ‘work mode’ and perform at their best. It’s also wise to avoid long email trails, as this can impact upon output.

2 be available.

Be available during working hours for remote employees, regardless of time zones. Ensure all team members, whether on-site or remote, can interact through platforms such as Workplace and MS Teams. Remote employees should always be able to talk to their manager, no matter where they work.

3 build trust.

Managers build trust by treating each team member as an individual, keeping their promises and articulating themselves effectively. Listen to your remote workers and check in with themregularly, without micromanaging.

4 engage regularly.

Be sure to engage with your remote workers regularly and schedule one to ones, which can be done online or via phone. This helps remote team members to integrate and feel included in the significant operations of the business.

5 follow the ‘PPP’ format.

Begin each day by asking employees to give everyone a summary (verbal or written) following the ‘PPP’ format. Firstly, give an update on your progress; what you have finished, where you are up to with other things. Then let everyone know your priorities; what you are working on right now, what urgently needs to be done. Lastly, express any problems you may have; what do you need help with in order to progress further or work more efficiently. This format allows everyone to be heard within the team, ensuring that everyone is on the same page, and can help where possible to make for a more productive team.

6 establish close bonds, help and support.

It’s easy to forget parts of conversation that you may need to rely upon later in the hiring process, so make sure, you have jotted down candidate responses to questions. You should also pay attention to the way in which they communicate, are they more corporate or informal? Consider their body language, how they are dressed and how engaged they appear to be.

7 have belief in your team.

Trust your team to do their jobs even if you can’t physically see them. Try to create work from home guidelines which establish communication rules and schedules, which takes away any potential for micromanagement.

8 schedule video-based communication.

With virtual employees, its crucial to schedule time to communicate effectively. Rather than talking over the phone, try to use video-based communication tools so you can see each other. This will allow you to respond to body language and facial expressions.

9 set clear expectations.

Clear expectations are crucial to business output. Ensure parameters, deadlines, tasks and metrics are understood by remote workers, so they are aware of what they need to do. The more prepared they are, the more efficient they will be.