The digital age has brought about many changes in our daily lives. One of the most notable of these changes is the ability to connect, whether for work or fun. The number of remote workers is continually rising, as is the need for remote management tools and techniques. If you’re thinking about hiring a remote team, this primer is for you to get acquainted with some of the more common questions and best practices of virtual work.
"Working remotely is both a blessing and a curse. But there is a solution to every challenge."
Managers who work with remote teams understand how working remotely is both a blessing and a curse. Managing remote teams from all over the world and juggling time zones can be exhausting, but there is a solution to every problem. This post will go over some of those solutions and how you can use them to make remote management simple.
Why you should consider hiring remotely
Many companies around the world are beginning to discover remote working as a viable option. It wasn’t that long ago when remote work was regarded with skepticism. It was considered absurd to entrust your time and confidential information to a stranger from another continent. Nowadays, it’s just common practice.
Both employees and managers used to have concerns about remote working. These concerns revolved around security; employers wanted to know they were hiring a competent and reliable worker and employees wanted to know they were working with a trustworthy employer.
The convenient, ingenious solution to this problem came in the form of third-party websites that act as a safety net. Platforms such as Freelancer.com or Hubstaff staffing operate as an intermediary between both parties, allowing them to find the perfect fit for their needs.
The thing that first got employers and companies interested in remote work was cost-effectiveness both financially and for the environment, which remains as a benefit to distributed team managers and team members today. When you work remotely, you save time and money on daily commutes, office space and overhead.
"Remote work is cost-efficient for companies and the environment."
Employers also save time when hiring, as many freelancers only need a project briefing before they can hit the ground running. In a traditional office environment, new hires would have to go through orientation and training period before getting started with any work.
Remote working offers you the chance to work with talented people from all around the globe. Don’t be too quick to dismiss applicants and avoid the temptation of only hiring freelancers who live nearby. Set up as many Skype interviews as you can. A conversation is a much more insightful source of information than portfolios.
Remote management essentials
Team Dynamics
Establishing good team dynamics and communication is crucial with distributed teams. It differs highly from office culture in the traditional sense. After finding remote workers with the appropriate skills, you have to make sure they function well in your distributed team. When everyone on your team is virtual, management and collaboration gets a little harder, although not impossible.
"Use tools and software to gain insight into how your employees interact with each other."
Use tools and software to gain insight into how your employees interact with each other. You need to pay close attention to each member of your team, as well as your team as a whole. When executed well, remote team collaboration could even be more efficient than in an office.
Workflow
The workflow is subject to constant changes. Even when things are going pretty smoothly, don’t take it for granted. There’s a reason why one of the main purposes of remote working is flexibility – the dynamic nature of the work demands it. You must also be alert at all times with remote management. Observe your team and the work they do, so that you can react in a timely manner when something calls for a change.\n\nA great way to manage your systems is to ask your contractors to document their processes. That way, your business will have written records of the workflows for different roles, which are useful when training new team members.
Freedom
Finally, many remote workers choose the lifestyle just as much as the job, meaning they value freedom and independence in their work. Keep in mind the freedom of your remote team is a valuable work perk that shouldn’t be abused.
Author: Dave Nevogt
Source: Hubstaff
