A remote team is harder to manage than an in-office team because they aren’t right down the hall from you if you need something, but that shouldn’t deter you from hiring outside your local sphere.
Managing a remote team means hiring the best of the best, regardless of their location, and using their skills to enhance your business.
The downside is that you have to trust that they know what they’re doing and sometimes you find out the hard way that they don’t. This separation may make you want to micromanage your team, but that’s never a good idea. Instead, try these tips for managing your remote team and making them more efficient.
Communication
Communication is the key to any working relationship, but it’s even more necessary when you’re trying to work with people across the globe.
If you have an open communication policy and start supporting different communication styles, you can bring your team together and help them work more efficiently.
Slack is the best tool (IMO) for team communication. You can use it to send written messages, record voice notes and videos, gather feedback with prompts and questions, and more. You can also create channels for your projects, which means your team knows exactly who they’re working with and how to contact them if they have questions.
And remember, open communication includes you. Make sure you’re promptly answering questions, are open to ideas and suggestions, and regularly check in on the team.
KPIs
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential for managing your remote team because it lets them know exactly what they need to do to be successful.
Plus, by setting clear KPIs, you can focus your team on a common goal (for a team project), and individual goals (for their roles), and motivate them to increase productivity. KPIs also help boost team morale by giving them a clear view of their progress.
Some KPIs to track for your team include:
- Hours Tracked
- Tasks Completed per Project
- Tasks Overdue per Project
- Published Social Media Content
- Published Blog Posts
- Emails Sent
- Customer Churn Rate
These are just a few of the KPIs that you can track for your team, and you can track anything you need to help your team succeed.
For more suggestions, check out The Importance of Tracking KPIs In Your Business.
Wins and Rewards
Everyone likes to be noticed and appreciated for their work, and implementing a wins and rewards system will boost productivity, increase team morale, and incentivize your team to work more efficiently.
Recognition doesn’t have to be monetary, either. You could:
- highlight key employees and encourage others to take the top spot next time (retail does this all the time with their employee of the month)
- Celebrate team wins and give them public praise
- If your team member learns something new or has mastered a new skill, tell them how proud you are
- Give your team members a shout-out on your website or social media page if they reach a milestone or KPI
However, if your team accomplishes something huge, like the launch of a new product, you might want to show your appreciation with monetary rewards. Buy them all lunch through Uber Eats, or offer them a gift card to their favorite coffee shop- something that feels like a treat but can also motivate them to keep pace.
Small rewards like that will go a long way in keeping your team morale up, increasing their loyalty to you, and letting them know they’re a vital part of the team.
Team Meetings
Aside from regular communication, you need to have routine team meetings to check in and ensure everyone’s on the same page. They can be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, as long as they’re consistent, organized, and don’t waste everyone’s time. To help combat that, check out my top five things every team meeting should have.
It’s also a good way to get to know. your team members on a personal level. When you’re on a meeting you’ll be able to see and talk to them face to face, so to speak. Plus, video meetings allow for more streamlined communication, so you won’t have to wait for feedback or suggestions like you would with Slack.
Trust them
It’s hard to trust someone you’ve never met in person, and there will be a period when the team member has to earn your trust. However, if you trusted them enough to hire them, you have to trust that they can do the work.
I’m not saying give them the keys to the kingdom. You still have to do your due diligence when hiring anyone new and keep an eye on them until they’ve earned your trust.
But, on the whole, you have to trust your team to have your best interest at heart, the best abilities to do the job, and the desire to do the job right.
Bonus Tip: In Person Retreats
In order to make your team more efficient and cohesive, it’s helpful to have an in-person retreat once a year where they can hang out and strengthen their bonds.
It’s also great to get them together so you can set goals and KPIs as a team, talk about the direction of the business, brainstorm ideas for future launches, and get some one-on-one time with every member of your team.
Plus, it’s really fun!
You’ll want to coordinate everything well in advance- especially if you aren’t compensating them for travel. As a small business owner, I understand that retreats may not be plausible for some, but it is a nice goal to work towards.
Final Thoughts
Managing a remote team takes different skills than managing an in-person team, and it can be overwhelming if you feel like your team is spiraling out of control. Thankfully, these tips can help you create a supportive environment that will enhance morale, increase communication, and promote productivity.
Or, if you’d rather outsource your team management, you could always hire an OBM!
OBMs (Like Me) are skilled at managing remote teams and helping them work efficiently to get the job done. We also send you reports and notify you of any issues, so you’re still involved without being stressed about it.
It’s a win-win for everyone!
Book a Discovery Call today and let’s see if hiring an OBM is the right step for you- and your team.
