The recent global outbreak of the deadly COVID-19 virus, has massively impacted the way we operate as individuals, in businesses, and as a society. Social distancing measures have restricted human interaction for the most part, forcing businesses everywhere to adapt their systems, and introduce remote work processes. The cloud capabilities that were always desirable, but many considered a luxury, are now immediately required, and this has ultimately changed the business landscape forever.
The transition to remote business operation is particularly complex in the case of a large team, where the amount of communication required for productivity can be daunting. If you find yourself in this position, there are a number of ways you can assist the transition to run smoothly, so let’s examine some of the keys to effectively managing a large team remotely.
1.Utilise quality technology to optimise your processes
When employees are working remotely, it’s especially important to ensure they are assisted by quality technology and systems that empower them to work more effectively, and connect them to holistic goals of your organisation. The more you can streamline your business processes using technology, the more productive your remote workforce will be, and the more accessible you make your team communications, the better your organisation will be able to come together to collaborate effectively. There are a huge number of software platforms available that can have real impact on the productivity of your workforce, and with the current climate focused entirely on working remotely – now is the time to invest in technology that will make things easier for everyone involved in your organisation.
2. Create a culture based on connectivity
The success of every organisation relies on effective communication, but this is especially the case when managing a large team remotely. The inability to meet and collaborate in person means that managers must have a strong focus on providing accessible methods of communication, and actively seek to stimulate a culture of connectivity. This will look different for every organisation, but something as simple as starting each day with a team strategy call can be a highly effective way of enhancing the connectivity of your workforce.
3. Build effective strategies around task management
When seeking to be productive as a remote organisation, you will quickly discover that it requires a high degree of transparency between members about who will handle which tasks, and when those tasks are expected to be completed. One of the best strategies for task management in a remote organisation is to utilise a task management software like Asana, that will allow your employees visibility of their own tasks and their colleagues progress. In a remote workforce, accountability leads to comfortable collaboration and improving your task management protocol will make it easier for your team to work together on tasks and increase the overall productivity of your organisation.
It is clear that remote work is the new norm in 2020, and with 74% of CFO’s stating they intend to move on-site employees to remote beyond COVID-19, it appears this shift may be long lasting[1]. While the transition to remote work will be inevitably complex for large teams, this shift and the future business operation can be assisted through the implementation of effective communications protocols that will enhance the connectivity of your workforce, and through utilisation of task management technology that will increase colleague accountability.
References
[1] Gartner says CFO’s looking to make remote work more permanent
Author: Hailey Romeo – Liberty IT Head of Marketing
