A web designer is updating the style guide in Tampa, Florida, while a developer codes new search features in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
A content specialist in Traverse City, Michigan crafts the words describing benefits of the new product that will be released next month.
Sounds like a typical day in the life of a web professional, doesn’t it?
Would you believe they’re all members of the same team working on the same project?
In the web industry, it’s common to find team members working remotely around the country, even around the world as Automattic employees do.
And as a manager of a remote team, you know how critical it is to have a
- Work plan
- Effective communication
- Clear goals and objectives
What else can you do to successfully manage your virtual team?
My friend Chris Wiegman has worked remotely for three years.
I asked him what he appreciated most from his manager. He replied,
The most important quality a remote manager must have is the ability to trust.
When you can’t see your team members, it takes a level of trust many aren’t capable of to make it work.
In their infographic, NutCache shares seven useful tips for managing your virtual team from hiring the right team members who can work independently and together to using the right remote work tools.
Learn how you can better manage your remote team in this infographic, or if you prefer, read the text version.
7 Tips for Managing Your Remote Team
- Workforce: Hire the right people.Not everyone is up to the task of working alone, as remote workplaces are usually less social than co-located ones. People on remote teams need to be ok with that.
For best results, it’s imperative to hire people who are up for this challenge and capable of working independently, but yet in a small team.
- Tools: Use the right remote work tools.Tools are important in a remote workplace because they enable you to better organize the team and keep everyone on the same page.
A truly effective remote work team will have all of the vital remote work tools:
- File sharing capacity
- An instant messaging platform
- Screen sharing software
- Project management software, and
- Any tools or resources specific to your industry
- ProcessOrganize a work plan.
One of the most important ingredients in a powerful remote team is process, or how you work.
In a virtual team, each person may develop their own processes and procedures that don’t mesh with the way other team members are working.
It’s best to use a project management system to keep everyone in touch.
- Goals: Articulate project goals and objectives clearly.Help remote workers understand what they are working towards by setting the correct priorities and goals.
In a virtual work setting, the importance of having clear project goals and objectives cannot be overstated.
These goals should be clearly communicated during meetings, regular check-ins, and performance reviews, too.
- Communication: Keep communication lines open.Communication is key when you have a completely remote workforce.
You have to get really good at deliberate, structured communication, making sure the team is checking in daily.
Set aside time for your one on ones with your remote employees. Also, encouraging team members to keep in touch with each other can be invaluable for additional points of communication.
Effective communication will help you build a team that is innovative, efficient, and results-driven.
- Trust: Trust is key.Recruiting remote workers you can trust can be a time-consuming process when you’re trying to run a business.
And since not everyone can work in a remote environment, it’s important to find people you can trust to complete their tasks, and stay productive when working under their own steam.
Hire doers, people you know they will get stuff done.
- Team building: Develop a happy and engaged team.Compensate for the fact that you are not bumping into each other by trying to create some social aspects with a remote team.
Creating stronger bonds within your company can be as simple as
- Using videos as a way to inspire your team
- Meeting in person periodically
- Having and maintaining non-work related communication, or
- Anything that creates a feeling that teamworkers are not working separately but are truly part of a team.
