Simple and Effective Tips for Managing a Remote Workforce

As a manager or business owner, managing remote employees is never easy. It’s not easy to keep a check on workers who are thousands of miles apart from where you are and belong to a diverse set of cultures. Managing remote employees requires a different set of management principles. 

​There are several software and tools that allow you to do this efficiently and help you stay in control of your remote employees. Here are some simple and effective tips for managing a remote workforce.

Make Use of Performance Metrics to Evaluate Your Staff

​When managing a remote workforce, you will have staff logging in to work at all times of the day. It’s not easy to monitor them because of the variance in their working schedule. So use performance metrics and statistics to help you evaluate their performance. Set a clear objective for your staff and make sure that they understand what is required of them.

Create a Better Understanding

​Build a strong rapport with your remote workforce and create a much better understanding with them. Organize online hangouts for your staff, so that they can all get to know one another. Find ways to encourage cooperation among your remote workers and collaborate effectively no matter where they are. Feature their stories in newsletters to give them the motivation they need at their job. Schedule face-to-face meetings with your staff and ask them about their concerns. 

Using Collaboration Tools

​There are several collaboration tools and technologies that make it easier for remote workers from different parts of the world to collaborate effectively. QuickBooks Hosting enables members of your team to collaborate effectively on your accounting tasks and with the efficient handling of your financial data. There are other tools such as video sharing and video conferencing, which make sure that every member of the workforce stays on track and is able to perform their duties effectively. Video conferencing allows them to share screens, brainstorm for ideas and share screens. 

Do Your Due Diligence 

It is important to do your due diligence on your employees and to keep a check on them. Identify members of your workforce who are late in responding to emails, instant messages or phone calls. Make sure that they know that such behavior cannot be tolerated and give them a chance to improve. Don’t be afraid to take action against remote workers who waste time, miss deadlines or turn in unacceptable work. It is better to weed out the non-performers at the start itself. 

Give Them the Right Resources

​Make sure that your employees have the right resources to succeed at their work. Find out if they have all the system resources they need to manage their tasks efficiently. Provide them with tools such as SharePoint and Outlook to help them with their work and to make sure that they have access to the latest information available to the company. 

Ask for Feedback

​Hold face-to-face meetings with your remote workers on Skype and ask for their feedback on improving the work processes. Ask them about their concerns and for suggestions to make things easier for them at work. Ask them to speak freely about the problems faced by them and make sure their concerns are addressed. 

Create a Friendly Environment at Work

​Create a friendly and encouraging environment at work. Make sure that your remote workplace is a stress-free one and everyone is in sync with what needs to be done. Engage your employees in team building activities. Use mood monitoring tools to judge their level of enthusiasm. Reward employees for their loyalty and dedication to the company. 

Wrap Up

A remote workforce has several advantages – it allows you to simplify your work processes, save money for the organization, you’re your business expenditure low and work smarter. However managing a remote workforce can be a challenge. Follow the advice given here to manage your remote employees efficiently.