Establishing Clear Communication Protocols and Guidelines

Some people prefer texting, others may choose to email, and more may decide to use your company’s direct messaging app. That lack of consistency can make it tough for you to stay connected with your workforce. 

As such, your first step should involve creating clear guidelines and protocols for communication to ensure that everyone is on the same page. For example, you could ask everyone to use a direct messaging tool like Slack for short messages and email to relay more detailed information. Just remember to set expectations regarding availability and response times.

Leveraging Collaboration Tools and Virtual Meeting Platforms

Numerous software companies kicked their communication and collaboration development efforts into overdrive in recent years, leading to an entire category of tools dedicated to supporting remote work. You need to be taking advantage of these solutions.

Project management and collaboration tools will allow your remote workers to team up on important files or initiatives. And virtual meeting platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams are great for hosting video chats and conferences. Prioritize options that readily integrate with your existing tech suite to reduce the learning curve and create a holistic experience.

Fostering a Culture of Active Listening and Engagement

In the world of direct messaging and email-based communication, active listening skills and engagement levels often fall by the wayside. And that means you’ll need to get creative.

Consider hosting virtual team-building events to get your staff listening to one another. Encourage everyone to actively participate in virtual meetings, provide opportunities for informal social interactions, and promote open communication by giving your team a chance to offer feedback.

Creating a Dedicated Workspace and Minimizing Distractions

Set up your office in an unused room or space within your home. You want to be away from anything that might divert your attention away from your work. That means you must establish clear boundaries with your loved ones to prevent them from distracting you as well. 

Invest in an ergonomic desk and chair to stay comfortable, and implement time-management strategies to break up your work into smaller chunks, so you don’t feel compelled to look away from work.

Leveraging Technology for Task Management and Time Tracking

A project management solution is key to effectively working from home. Choose a platform that offers features like task lists and time-tracking to promote accountability and transparency. 

There are many different productivity tactics that can help you keep your tasks organized and manage your time. The Pomodoro technique, for instance, involves breaking work into 25-minute sessions, each followed by a five-minute break. After four sessions, take a 15-30 minute break. There’s also the 52/17 Productivity Principle, an alternative method whereby you work for 52 minutes and then break for 17. Experiment with both and see which option works best for you.

Promoting Self-Care and Well-Being

Remote work can blur the lines between personal and professional responsibilities. As a result, the mental and physical health of your team members can suffer. Encourage everyone to take regular breaks and engage in a physical fitness routine, and provide them with resources for mental health and stress management. Something as simple as an opportunity to stretch for ten minutes or to take a walk around the block can help them break up the day. 

Additionally, you want to encourage your team to support one another. Make sure the executive team is being supportive as well by creating policies that promote employee well-being. HireRoad, for example, recently implemented a program called “Free for All Fridays,” under which employees get one Friday off each month to take a break from work.

Establishing Trust and Accountability

Set clear goals and expectations for your team. Implement performance metrics to track their work quality and quantity, create feedback loops, and encourage your team to check in regularly. You need to stay connected, even though they aren’t in the office. 

You must also build trust with your remote workers by providing them with autonomy. Empower them with flexible schedules that are practical and reward individuals who consistently meet or exceed your expectations.

Fostering Team Cohesion and Collaboration

As mentioned above, virtual team-building activities can help your staff build and maintain relationships with one another. You could host a video trivia session or send your team activity boxes to complete with their department. 

Peer-to-peer learning represents another valuable component of team building and collaboration. Encourage more experienced workers to share knowledge with their newer counterparts. 

You should also keep your staff up-to-speed on department and company achievements. When a team completes a major project or hits an important milestone, celebrate those moments. 

Providing Leadership and Support