You can only get so far, growing your business on your own. That’s why it’s so crucial that you look to create a remote team to work with you. It helps you free up your time and enables you to focus on those tasks that will help you grow your business more.
But if you want to get the best out of your remote team, you need to learn how to manage them. And if you’re not used to running a team, it can seem a little daunting. But don’t worry! If you’re looking for tips on managing a remote team effectively, here are some to help you get started.
Manage your remote team better, by staying in touch
If you’re looking to manage a remote team effectively, you need to stay in touch. Look to hold regular team meetings with your team, at least weekly. Ideally, you’ll want to opt for daily check-ins. Hold your meetings via video, as it will help your team see others and feel that they’re not alone. But also let them know how they can contact you privately if they’d rather, especially if they need to reach out with a concern or worry.
Regularly appraise your team members
You want to build rapport with your remote team, and appraisals are a great way to do this. They allow you to share feedback and praise on an individual basis whilst also checking how each team member is doing. Remember, these appraisal meetings are the perfect opportunity to get feedback about the resources and support your team needs, to grow, improve and develop.
Spend this time to get to know each member of your team. You can then spot ways to help grow their potential and work with their strengths.
Encourage team bonding
A remote team needs connection if it’s going to grow. Team connection is vital here, so encourage them to bond and interact with each other, in and out of the office environment. Look to implement a way for them to communicate with each other – Slack is a good choice for this. Create virtual events and coffee break chats for them, help them get to know each other with team icebreakers and look to hold team building and training exercises etc.
Team bonding also helps minimise the risk of remote team members feeling isolated and lonely too. Remember to point them to any resources that can help minimise these lonely feelings if they do arise.
Be clear on expectations and outcomes, to better manage a remote team
Communicate and clarify everything – from core working hours through to task deadlines. When you’re working with a remote team, more emphasis is needed on communication, so make sure you’re always keeping them in the loop. Share the scope of any projects they’re involved in, along with deadlines, expectations and the big picture. Ensure they all know what standard you’re holding them to and the working environment you want to create. This will help keep motivation and positivity high.
Focus on the outcomes and results of your remote team
Remote team workers have an increased freedom around planning and managing their time and workload. Encourage them to do this, as it will help you get better results. It’s easier to do this if you focus on the outcomes and results they achieve rather than the methods and strategies they’re using. You can then show more flexibility in their working practices, patterns and schedules, safe in the knowledge that you’re getting the results you need.
Use the above tips to help you manage a remote team effectively and to also establish trust. Because ultimately, a good team is built on trust. If you can demonstrate that you trust them to do the job you’re paying them to do, they’ll both trust and be more loyal to you and your business.
If you’re an established business looking for someone to help you scale more, why not get in touch? As your OBM, I can help manage your team on your behalf, as well as systemising your business and freeing up your time, so you can be the CEO you want to be.