It's estimated that over 4.7 million people in the U.S. currently work remotely. This number will most likely continue to increase-especially since 80% of U.S. workers admit that they would turn down a job that didn't offer flexible remote work.
There's no doubt that remote work is becoming the new normal, which means managers must know how to effectively manage employees that aren't physically present. Here are the secrets to being a successful manager of remote employees:
Stay in Contact
It's important to allow remote employees to work independently, but that doesn't mean that all contact should be cut off. Staying in contact is crucial to the success of your remote team. Lack of communication can disrupt the flow of information and make remote workers feel like they aren't really a part of the team.
Encourage your remote team to communicate via instant messenger, email, text, and phone. You can also use project management tools such as BaseCamp and Trello to stay in touch with remote workers. Make sure your team understands that they should communicate with one another as well. The topics don't have to be strictly related to business-in fact, "water cooler" interaction should be encouraged. This helps build camaraderie and teamwork.
It doesn't matter how you communicate with one another as long as everyone knows that they are obligated to stay in contact.
Set Expectations
As a manager, it's your responsibility to set ground rules for your remote workers. Make sure your team knows exactly what you expect from them. If you want them to send you weekly updates on certain tasks, let them know. If you expect phone calls and emails to be returned within a certain timeframe, make this clear to everyone on your team. Setting expectations in this manner ensures that everyone is on the same page-even if they're not in the same physical location.
Track Employee Productivity
Checking up on your team's progress is easy when they're working just a few steps down the hallway, but it's much more challenging when they're working remotely. Figure out the best way to measure each employee's productivity from a distance. Some managers use employee productivity tracker software, whereas others prefer to schedule regular phone calls or video conferences for status updates. Choose whatever method works best for you and the rest of your team.
Trust Your Team
The key to successfully managing remote employees is accepting that you won't be able to see what they are doing every second of the day. Don't assume that an employee is slacking off simply because he didn't pick up the phone or answer an email right away. He could be on another call or focusing on a project that requires his full attention. If your employees are meeting deadlines and producing quality work, there's no need to micromanage them. Trust your team to do the job they were hired to do.
Managing remote employees doesn't have to be a headache. By following these tips, managers can lead a team of remote workers to success!
About The Author:
Aqib Ijaz is a Digital Marketer, Link builder, Guest Post, and IT Professional. He loves to write on different topics. In free time, he likes to travel and explore the different parts of the world. You can follow him as a blogger outreach on eyesonsolution.
