One major issue Employers we spoke to have with remote work is the potential for increased distraction and laziness. However the good thing about remote working is that you can easily track and analyse employee productivity. Don’t be too worried about whether or not they’ll be distracted, because they will, whether they’re working from home or the office. The important thing is to set goals and targets that must be actualised within a specific deadline in order to better ascertain productivity.
As a solution, set reasonable and comfortable deadlines for each task for each person, accompanied by an agreed upon disciplinary action for failure.
Endeavour to follow up frequently before deadlines and request feedback where necessary, this will help track productivity levels as well as prevent employees from feeling deserted and unheard.
You can also use time/task management software and collaboration tools like Teamwork, HyperContext, TimeDoctor, Timely, TopTracker, Insightful, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Asana, Slack, Trello, Veriato and the likes to better manage remote staff performance. Technology can be trusted to manage remote working as it improves efficiency and productivity. This should clear up any worries about your team not being productive if you choose to go remote.
Remote collaboration / Productivity
Maintaining a cohesive and effective remote work environment requires effective connectivity. Remote workers can have a sense of isolation and disconnection from their coworkers and the company as a whole when they are not in close proximity which can affect their ability to be productive and accountable.
To encourage teamwork, improve communication, and develop a sense of belonging, employers must support connection and distant collaboration. The following are strategies for encouraging online connectivity and productivity with distant collaboration:
Utilise free cloud-based collaboration tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or Basecamp to provide real-time document sharing, project management, and collaboration. These platforms give remote workers a central location to communicate, exchange ideas, and work on projects together.
Plan periodic team-building exercises: Create online team-building exercises to fortify bonds and promote camaraderie among distant workers. This can include online happy hours, virtual lunch breaks, and other activities where team members can interact and mingle.
Use Work management tools: Employ project management software to help distant team members collaborate and communicate. Instant messaging, file sharing, and video conferencing are all services that platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or project management applications provide to streamline communication.
Establish regular team meetings and check-ins: Set up frequent check-ins with remote workers to go through current projects, answer queries, and give updates. Also, stress the value of prompt responses and motivate remote workers to return messages, emails, and other forms of correspondence. Quick responses aid in maintaining efficient communication and avoid delays in project schedules.
Tie tasks to deadlines: Clearly define deadlines and deliverables, ensure that tasks are aligned with specific timeframes, providing a clear structure for accountability.
Issue queries where necessary: If there are any doubts or concerns about the progress of a task or project, raise queries to seek clarification from remote employees. This demonstrates an active interest in their work and encourages open dialogue.
Lack of information
Another challenge faced by employers when considering remote work is the lack of information and understanding about how to effectively manage and support remote teams.
Some employers may have concerns about the potential negative impact on employee productivity and accountability, leading to a lack of trust in their remote workforce. However, it is crucial for employers to address these concerns and take proactive steps to provide the necessary resources and support for their remote employees.
The way out? Research and educate yourself about remote work practices. Take the time to learn about successful remote work strategies and best practices. This knowledge will help you better understand how to manage and support remote employees effectively and save millions in the process.
Provide clear guidelines and expectations for remote employees. Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations for remote employees. Set clear guidelines on communication response times, availability, and work hours to ensure alignment and productivity.
We know remote work is the future and using the tools and advice laid out above, we are confident you too can make remote work work for you! Our goal is to help you realise ways you can manage and accommodate remote work at your company, saving money and increasing productivity at the same time. So let us know if you need any help going remote and we’d be more than happy to assist you. 
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