As COVID-19 rips through the United States and around the globe, it is increasingly affecting both the global economy and the way each and every individual business operates. In a matter of days, your business was likely forced to create new protocols, action plans and management processes to enable your entire team to work remotely.
While some businesses may have already had a percentage of employees with flexible schedules and the ability to work-from-home, regardless, your business is likely faced with the newest challenge: an entire business working remotely with no option to connect in person on a weekly basis.
Luckily, we have 5 key strategies to help your business succeed while working remotely during COVID-19.
1. Clear, Timely Communication
More than ever, communication is critical when working remotely and more importantly- when managing a team remotely. You must be organized, succinct, and clear in your communication and expectations. Without the ability to walk across the option with suggestions, or lean over to someone’s desk to mention something you forgot, it’s important to prioritize clear, timely communication with your team. If you are an employee, it’s important to clearly communicate to your supervisor or project manager the tasks you complete on a daily basis, pending items and follow-up needed to complete outstanding tasks.
2. Trust
Perhaps one of the hardest (and yet most important) characteristics of a successful remote work relationship is trust. Without the ability to have in-person meetings or conferences, trust is vital for a successful working relationship.
If you are an employee, it’s important not to break that trust in any way. Stay on task, communicate clearly and be honest with your project management always. As a project manager or supervisor, you are forced to trust your employees- so trust them until they give you a reason not to.
3. Develop Clear Work Remote Policies
As a supervisor, what are your expectations? Everyone live on their computers by 8am, lunch break at 12 noon, team meeting via Zoom at 3pm? Set-up policies, clearly communicate and most importantly- STICK TO YOUR POLICIES! More than ever, your employees need to know what to expect and know that you’ll follow through on your expectations.
4. Pick Your Work Remote Tools Early On
Are Slack, Trello and Zoom your go-to tools? Great. Communicate this to your team and set the expectation that these are the tools that will be solely used by the team moving forward. Make a decisive decision early-on based on your team’s needs and stick to that decision. It’s hard enough for team’s to adapt new processes and technologies in the office, let alone remote. This will be critical to maintain productivity among your team.
Key Areas to Consider for Remote Tools:
- Video Conferencing
- Instant Team Messaging
- Task Management
- File Sharing and Storage
- Client Management System
5. Be Flexible When Necessary
Everyone is working to adapt to a new reality in the face of COVID-19. While it’s important to have policies and expectations in place with your employees, it’s also important to be flexible when necessary. Your employees may be juggling kids, sick family members, sickness themselves, etc. Be understanding when appropriate, and firm when necessary about work from home policies.
As an employee, understand that you still have a job to do. However, if you are struggling to balance this new work remote reality for any number of reasons, communication with your supervisor goes a long way.
At PK Tech, we are highly experienced in helping teams operate remotely in the most secure and efficient way possible. Schedule a call with us to make sure your business is taking the necessary precautions to safely and effectively operate your team remotely. We are here to help. Contact PK Tech.
