When you offer employees the chance to work from home, you automatically open up the doors for high quality talent from anywhere in the world. Being tied to the same office base every day of work limits the type of people you can bring on board.
And if you want your employees to get the most out of working from home, it’s important to supply them with the right tools, training and software to do their job. Technology has made it possible bridge the gap between remote work challenges and productivity.
By implementing collaborative platforms and robust communication tools, you can create a virtual workspace that is just as dynamic and interactive as a physical office. This ensures that your team stays connected, engaged, and fully equipped to meet their work demands from any location.
Here are some proactive approaches you can take to boost the engagement of your remote workers so that they contribute significantly to the growth and progression of your company.
Offer Flexibility Beyond Location
Being able to work from home is one form of flexibility that will be much appreciated by most of your employees. However, you should look at flexibility beyond location so that they remain motivated and engaged during their time with your company.
There may be certain times of day when it’s key to have your employees online and working. But if you can create flexible hours outside of these core timings, you will have a much happier and more co-operative workforce.
With collaborative tools like Asana, Zoho Projects, Google Workspace and so on, it should be possible for your employees to keep track of ongoing projects even if some team members maintain different working hours.
Supply The Right Equipment and Software
Working from home doesn’t guarantee that your employees will have all the necessary equipment and technology to perform their roles effectively. As a manager and business owner, it’s crucial to empower your employees to excel by providing them with comprehensive access to various software and technology services.
This includes essential tools like the Office SDK, for example, which are indispensable for daily tasks. Equally important is offering thorough training to ensure that your team can leverage these tools effortlessly. By equipping your remote workers with the right tools and knowledge, you’ll see a significant boost in their engagement and productivity.
Create Opportunities to Meet in Person or Online
Meeting in person may not always be possible when you’re running a remote workforce. That’s why video conferencing apps like Google Meet and Zoom exist.
At the same time, this shouldn’t stop you from creating opportunities for your local employees to meet and collaborate in person. Facilitating these sorts of get-togethers will not only help your employees feel like part of a team, but it will also allow them to turn online colleagues into real life friends.
Encourage Anonymous Feedback
Providing opportunities for anonymous feedback is vital for fostering an engaged and motivated team. Tools like JotForm, SurveyMonkey, and Survicate allow employees to express their thoughts and concerns without fear of repercussions, ensuring that you receive honest and constructive insights.
When employees suggest changes, it’s crucial to not only listen but also to act on these suggestions if necessary. Implementing their feedback demonstrates that you value their opinions, which can significantly enhance team morale and the desire to excel.
Catch Up Regularly Online
Regular catch ups are important when you’re running a business that has a lot of online employees. Checking in with your team as a whole will give them a sense of structure and belonging so that they always stay on track with the tasks at hand. It also helps them to stay in the know with regards to changes around the business and managerial structure adjustments too.
If you or your HR team can make the time to listen to employees’ personal and professional goals with empathy, it has the potential to make them much happier and more productive.
Foster Trust, Not Surveillance
Micromanagement can be a major source of frustration for remote employees, particularly when it involves the use of online tools to monitor their daily activities. While these tools can provide insights into productivity, they can also undermine trust, making employees feel watched and undervalued.
As a manager, it’s essential to trust your employees to manage their own schedules and tasks. Recognizing that they are meeting deadlines, participating actively in meetings, and producing high-quality work should be sufficient for you to allow them autonomy.
Excessive surveillance can harm morale and stifle the independence that often leads to innovation and job satisfaction. If your business requires you to keep a close watch on employees during working hours, monitor them in a respectful manner.
Provide Rewards and Recognition
In every job, employees deserve to be rewarded and recognized when they provide an outstanding service or go above and beyond in their role. As a business owner you need to work out the protocols for those who deserve some type of reward or recognition for their hard work so that it doesn’t go unnoticed.
You also need to offer career development opportunities to your valued employees, even if they work remotely. When someone knows there is progression on the horizon they will automatically do better in their role.
Ensure Comprehensive Training and Continuous Support
Working from home can be daunting, particularly when employees are uncertain about their tasks and how to enhance their skills. Providing comprehensive training right from the start when new software or technology tools are introduced is essential.
This not only streamlines the workflow but also motivates employees to continuously improve their skills and achieve their professional goals. Ongoing support further assists in addressing any challenges they face, ensuring they can fully leverage the new tools to their advantage.
