How to stay connected whilst working remotely
Often seen as an ideal for many staff, remote working is becoming something of a necessity in the current economic and social climate. Thanks to the portability of work technology, it is perfectly possible for employees to work as efficiently as if they were onsite in an office.
Here is our advice on how to stay connected whilst working remotely…
For companies:
Companies are being steered by necessity towards offering the flexibility of remote working. This option is increasingly becoming the norm for interconnected and international businesses.
Below are three ways to keep up with this changing way of working:
- Bring the team together
When things return to normal, encourage remote workers to visit the company offices when possible. Get staff together, such as through teambuilding days or company celebrations, to encourage team bonding and reduce employee isolation.
- Prepare for remote working
Have a policy in place to assist team members to know how to conduct themselves whilst working remotely> This should also cover how managers are expected to tackle the complexities of team members working remotely.
- Assist with time and career management
At Career Evolution, we can assist your business to provide the resources needed to support either individuals working remotely or staff managing remote members. Taking advantage of career coaching or building resilience, can reduce the time and emotional strain that this can bring.
For managers:
Working with and managing remote team members can arise for many reasons. It could be because of the current virus crisis, or because team members have regularly allotted days when they work from home. Managers may be supervising individuals at home on the odd occasion, or more employees when part of a large or international company.
Here are three key ways to stay connected with your remote team members:
- Smart working
Encourage the use of online shared work systems. Platforms such as the cloud help keep team members connected to the office. While the use of Google Documents shows who is logged in and making changes and when. This will assist with tracking productivity.
- Keep up the conversation
Create a chat group such as on Slack or Sqwiggle, and involve members in video meetings or phone calls, such as on Skype or FaceTime, to stay connected to remote team members and make them feel part of the team.
- Be considerate of different time zones
When working with team members internationally, set up daily time reminders of when staff should be coming online, to touch base with them at the start of their day.
For individuals:
As an individual, it’s important to stay connected to the team whilst working remotely. Your manager has trusted that you will continue to tackle your work as normal. Working from home is not an excuse to catch up on household chores or watch TV.
Below are three of the best ways to stay connected to the office and show that your work is still being done effectively and efficiently:
- ‘Go’ to work
Set up a workspace somewhere quiet, with all the equipment you need. Avoid distractions and to do your work.
- Be proactive
Send daily updates of what you are going to be working on. At the end of the working day, update on what you have achieved, and what still remains to be done. If you work remotely extensively, an end-of-the-week update is also effective to illustrate your productivity.
- Communicate early and often
Be available to respond quickly to any work messages and emails. This shows that you are still engaged and carrying on with your work. Also stay connected with at least one other colleague throughout the day, to act as a sounding board.
Contact our professional team of experts to see how we can best assist you and your business to make remote working possible.
