Remote teams are on the rise as talented workers move to smaller markets. Why?
Community and management.
More so than in-house employees, remote workers/contractors can feel out of sync with the broader team. Remote workers, like traditional employees, want to be well-managed. They want to feel a sense of community and purpose at work.
"Intentional inclusion" can be the trick to bridging the communication gap between remote team members. Leverage Slack or G-chat for informal communication. Create standing "all-hands" meetings where the remote team can regularly collaborate.
At Bullpen, our teams rely heavily on project and team management software. Our two favorites are Asana and Trello.
Both technologies provide intuitive checklists and data visualization. The chat functionality in each project allows for easy communication between stakeholders.
Team members, in-house or remote need positive feedback. Intentionally take five minutes for life check-ins at the start of meetings to stay connected. Remember to email or G-chat congratulatory or laudatory messages to boost morale. The extra time for small talk or positive call-outs may seem unnecessary but it ensures that all workers feel valued. Communication can foster positive growth between team members and result in higher quality work.
Remote workers may work at different hours than an in-house team. Some remote workers will not be in sync with the usual in-house work schedule.
Set clear timelines and due dates. When possible, account for different time zones when planning meetings to increase engagement.
The addition of remote talent to a business can create strategic operating advantage. It can broaden a talent pool and provide valuable flexibility among staff and contractors. Intentional inclusive communication, investment in intuitive online platforms, and strategic task delegation will result in a productive team.
Additional Resources:
15 Rules to Live By When You Run a Remote Team
High-impact ideas and approaches for commercial real estate leaders.
