Strategies for Success When Developing a Remote Team

Working remotely is no longer unusual. In fact, many people prefer to work from home because it gives them some degree of flexibility over when and where they work and how they choose to get things done. There are also some benefits for employers, including fewer overhead costs.

Employing remote workers comes with some unique challenges, though. It can be tough to keep your staff accountable, and it can be hard to build team spirit when you don’t have a lot of face-to-face contact. Incorporating a few strategies into your company culture from the outset, however, can help you keep both productivity and morale high.

Find Team Members That Fit Well

Building a cohesive remote team presents some obvious challenges, but you should view each candidate separately before looking at the overall unit. A few key traits you should look for when hiring remote team members include excellent self-discipline, good organization, strong communication and healthy interpersonal skills. Each of these can help your team members work well in an environment that requires them to self-motivate every day. Although a sense of humor isn’t generally required for a positive attitude, hiring employees that can make one another laugh and roll with the punches rarely has negative effects.

Build Your Brand

You might not think of your business’s brand as pertinent to your remote team, but it is. Work with a digital marketing service like ocreations to establish your company’s brand and voice early on, and make sure that each new employee you onboard fits well into your business model. A good team of complementary professionals is an excellent foundation for company spirit. Plus, as Harvard Business Review points out, it’s a great way to encourage staff engagement.

Make Your Rules Clear

Some people think that working from home gives them a free pass to do whatever they want during the day and put minimal effort into their job. That’s why TechRepublic suggests making your rules clear from the very beginning.

In a kind way, let your employees know what you expect from them and clearly establish any deadlines you expect them to meet. Unless it’s needed to meet outside demands, such as interactions with clients, suppliers or other team members, tell them that as long as they meet your standards for productivity you don’t mind if they get their work done in the wee morning hours or late at night. Avoiding unwanted conflicts is a great first step toward a positive company culture.

Schedule Regular Check-Ins

Regular check-ins are important not only for accountability but for morale as well. Schedule time so that your employees can give you updates on their projects and let you know if they need any additional support. Routine fun and lighthearted virtual meetings provide a great opportunity to get to know one another better and create a positive and welcoming work environment.

Budget Accordingly

One thing many employers overlook is the cost of remote crews. Bear in mind that while you can save a bundle on overhead by not paying for a brick and mortar, your staff still comes with costs beyond their hourly rate. If you intend to have them use particular software for project management, communication, timekeeping and so forth, you’ll have to cover the expense, and depending on your arrangement, you might also be paying for the necessary hardware.

Ensure Safeguards

Having your team spread across miles means that you also have data spread across the cloud, and ramping up security is a must. Some of your protocols for staff should relate to data handling, such as password protection, routine security updates and encryption.

Similarly, it’s worth spending some time mulling over the benefits a limited liability company can offer over other business structures. If you opt for an LLC, you’ll reduce your personal liability, and you’ll also be on the receiving end certain tax advantages. Just don’t try to cut corners; take the time to follow your state’s regulations when setting up your business.

If you’re worried about your ability to navigate legal requirements when establishing your business structure, you may find great peace of mind by using a business formation service. You’ll not only have less stress if you use such a service, but you’ll also save money you would otherwise spend hiring an attorney.

A positive company culture fosters employees who feel personally invested in helping your business succeed. If you follow these helpful tips, managing your remote workers’ productivity and morale should become second nature, and you’ll be set up for success.

For logos, website design, graphics and much more, call ocreations at 412-532-8282!

Written by Guest Blogger Tina Martin