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August 19, 2024

Essential Remote Work Best Practices

 

With the flexibility and convenience it offers, remote work has revolutionized the traditional office setting. However, in order to be successful in a remote work environment, it is essential to follow certain best practices to ensure productivity, communication, cybersecurity, company culture, and work-life balance are maintained.

Setting Up a Productive Home Office Environment

This means creating an area within your home that is specifically reserved for work activities, a step that significantly aids in mentally shifting into work mode. It’s vital to equip this space with ergonomic furniture, such as a desk and chair that support proper posture, thereby minimizing physical strain over long hours of work. Adequate lighting, preferably natural light, enhances focus and reduces eye strain, making it a crucial element of your home office setup. Organizing your workspace to keep it tidy and free from clutter not only helps in reducing distractions but also contributes to a more enjoyable and productive work environment. Ensuring that you have the right technology and connectivity, including a dependable computer, robust internet service, and any job-specific hardware or software, is essential for seamless remote work.

Establishing Clear Communication Channels and Guidelines

Choosing the right communication platforms is critical; tools like Slack for text, Zoom for video calls, and Microsoft Teams for collaborative projects streamline the flow of information. It’s imperative to define clear guidelines on how and when to use each tool to avoid confusion. Regularly scheduled virtual meetings keep the team aligned on goals and progress while providing a forum for addressing concerns and brainstorming. Establishing norms around response times and availability ensures expectations are met and respects individual work patterns. Emphasizing the importance of concise and effective communication can significantly enhance the efficiency and cohesion of a remote team.

Implementing Robust Cybersecurity Measures

Initiating strong cybersecurity protocols is not just about protecting assets but also about preserving trust within remote teams. It begins with the fundamental step of educating team members on the significance of security practices. Regular training sessions on recognizing phishing attempts, secure password creation, and the dangers of public Wi-Fi can empower employees to be the first line of defense against cyber threats.

Advancing further, the deployment of technical safeguards is crucial. Utilizing encrypted connections through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) ensures that data remains secure during transmission. Implementing end-to-end encryption for emails and files protects information from being intercepted or misused. Additionally, the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security, making it significantly harder for unauthorized individuals to gain access to critical systems.

For small business owners, the investment in robust cybersecurity software is indispensable. This includes antivirus and anti-malware solutions, alongside firewalls that monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Regular updates and patches for all software are essential to protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities.

Finally, creating a comprehensive incident response plan prepares remote teams to act swiftly and efficiently should a security breach occur. This plan should outline specific steps for containment, eradication, and recovery, ensuring minimal impact on business operations and maintaining client trust. Through these collective efforts, remote work environments can achieve a high standard of cybersecurity, allowing teams to focus on productivity and innovation without the looming threat of cyber attacks.

Fostering a Strong Company Culture Remotely

Creating a cohesive company culture when working remotely requires thoughtful strategies to ensure every team member feels valued and connected. Organizing interactive online activities such as team-building exercises, virtual coffee breaks, or themed video meetings can bridge the physical gap and promote a sense of belonging. Recognizing individual and team accomplishments publicly through online platforms not only boosts morale but also reinforces a culture of appreciation and respect. 

Implementing regular check-ins and feedback sessions can provide employees with a platform to voice their ideas and concerns, strengthening the bonds within the team. Additionally, encouraging informal communication through dedicated chat rooms for non-work-related conversations allows personalities to shine and relationships to deepen. By integrating these practices, small business owners can cultivate a vibrant and supportive remote work environment where creativity and collaboration flourish, ensuring that every member feels an integral part of the team despite the geographical distances.

Encouraging Work-Life Balance for Remote Employees

Implement defined work hours; this creates a clear demarcation between professional responsibilities and personal time. Encouraging the adoption of this schedule helps remote employees resist the urge to overwork, fostering a healthier lifestyle and enhancing productivity. Encouraging frequent breaks throughout the day is another essential practice. These pauses from work are vital for mental and physical rejuvenation, allowing employees to return to their tasks with renewed focus and energy.

Promoting physical activity and mindfulness exercises can also significantly contribute to an improved work-life balance. Engaging in regular exercise or mindfulness activities such as yoga or meditation can mitigate stress, boost morale, and improve overall mental health. Additionally, advocating for a specific, distraction-free workspace aids in minimizing interruptions, allowing for more concentrated work periods which in turn support a more structured day.

Lastly, it’s important for employers to lead by example. Demonstrating a commitment to maintaining one’s own work-life balance sets a positive precedent for the team. Offering support for employees to prioritize their personal time, including unplugging after work hours, highlights the value placed on their well-being. By incorporating these practices, small business owners can help ensure their remote teams remain productive, motivated, and well-balanced.

What are some of the practices you and your remote team have in place to create a well-functioning and balanced virtual workspace?

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July 9, 2024

Managing Misunderstandings: Remote Employee Illness vs Ghosting

When working with a remote team, there will be periods where you are not necessarily in communication with your other team members. Depending on how you have your organization structured, this might be a few hours or even a few days. What happens, though, when you don’t have a regular check-in scheduled but you also do not hear back from your employee? Are they ghosting you? Are they sick? Are they experiencing a power outage? What should you do?

Take Proactive Steps

The obvious answer is to immediately reach out to your employee / contractor if you have not heard from them. It is important to check in regularly on an individual level to be certain that everyone feels heard and feels comfortable coming to you with issues. This is especially important if you are worried that your team member might be ghosting you. After you reach out and wait the appropriate amount of time for a response, you should then turn to the emergency contact list to see if your employee can be reached other ways; there are times where someone is sick or injured and unable to reach out but their emergency contact can tell you what is going on. At this point, if you still do not hear back then you are probably being ghosted.

Implement Clear Policies

To avoid any sort of misunderstanding in the future, you should implement clear policies on when employees need to check in as well as collecting emergency contact information from them. A solid framework of explicit policies can effectively dispel any uncertainty regarding employee absences, sick leave, and instances of ghosting. It’s important to articulate what exactly constitutes ghosting, delineate the protocol for reporting illness, and enumerate the repercussions of disregarding these norms. This should be part of your employee handbook.

Providing Support to Remote Employees

To maintain trust and transparency, it’s crucial to extend support to your remote employees. This can be executed by equipping them with all necessary tools and resources needed to efficiently carry out their responsibilities. But, support goes beyond just work resources. When remote workers fall sick, they should be provided with the same understanding and assistance as on-site employees. Cultivating a work environment that respects and values employees’ health encourages them to be more forthcoming about their wellbeing. It eliminates the need for them to soldier on when unwell, thereby reducing unnecessary stress. Let’s prioritize a support system that not only boosts performance but also advocates for employee health.

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

Navigating the complexities of remote work is an ongoing learning journey. Each unexpected absence, whether due to illness or a suspected ghosting incident, serves as a teachable moment to refine your strategies and protocols. Continually nurturing open communication, empathy, and support is vital; think about communication skills when hiring too — choosing a candidate up front that has good skills in place can also help avoid these situations. Adopting this approach promotes a positive remote work atmosphere where honesty thrives and ghosting diminishes. It safeguards your team’s wellbeing and enhances their trust in your commitment to their health and job satisfaction. As you learn and grow from these experiences, you strengthen your leadership skills and foster a remote work culture that values transparency, understanding, and collaboration. Keep marching forward, evolving, and learning to build a resilient remote work environment.

 

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April 1, 2024

How to Approach Regular Performance Reviews in Remote Work Scenarios

Performance reviews are an essential part of any job, providing employees with valuable feedback on their work performance and giving employers the opportunity to assess and recognize their employees’ contributions. In person, reviews are normally conducted one-on-one with live examples of jobs well done and areas for improvement. However, what does that look like in a remote work scenario?

Understanding Regular Performance Reviews in Remote Work

Although these are through a screen, remote performance reviews are designed to mimic the dynamics of in-person reviews, ensuring that the objectives of aligning performance with organizational goals, addressing challenges, and setting a trajectory for future growth are met. These reviews are adapted to the digital environment, typically facilitated through virtual platforms like video conferencing or telephone calls to bridge the physical gap inherent in remote settings. 

The essence of these sessions is to foster a mutual understanding of job expectations, identify any discrepancies in performance, and celebrate the accomplishments of remote employees. This process is integral in maintaining open lines of communication and reinforcing the sense of belonging and contribution among remote workers. Through regular interactions, a continuous feedback loop is established, allowing for real-time adjustments and recognition, which is vital for the motivation and productivity of remote employees.

What Job Seekers Should Expect During Performance Reviews

During performance reviews, employees should be prepared to engage in thorough discussions about their contributions and areas requiring enhancement. The dialogue will likely encompass both the technical aspects of their job performance and the softer skills, such as communication and teamwork. Expectations will be set for future performance, with a particular focus on how one can further align with the organization’s goals and culture remotely. 

It is crucial for individuals to approach these reviews with a mindset geared toward growth, ready to articulate their achievements and receptive to constructive criticism. Equally, there will be an opportunity to express career aspirations and seek advice on professional development. This is a chance to clarify any uncertainties about job responsibilities or to request resources that could aid in job performance improvement. 

Remember, this is not to criticize your work in a harsh manner. This is just some feedback so that you can improve. This is also your chance to share your voice about any inefficiencies in the company’s procedures — a performance review goes both ways.

Preparing for Your Review: Tips for Remote Employees

Begin preparing by cataloging your achievements, noting how they align with the team’s objectives and any innovative solutions you’ve introduced to overcome remote work challenges. Equally important is identifying areas where you seek improvement or additional support. Consider setting realistic and measurable goals for your professional growth and how you intend to achieve them. Compile any questions you have about your role, feedback on the remote working conditions, or resources you feel could enhance your performance. 

It is best to prepare ahead of time so that you can approach the review in an orderly manner to ensure all your points are addressed.

What Employers Need to Consider When Conducting Remote Reviews

When organizing performance reviews for remote teams, employers must prioritize structure, empathy, and clarity; this is not about ambushing employees to see how they react — performance reviews are to help both employer and employee grow so that the business grows. The foundation of an effective review begins with setting a precise agenda and sharing it in advance with employees to foster a prepared and open dialogue. Utilizing reliable digital tools ensures a seamless communication experience, while personal touches, such as beginning the conversation with informal catch-up, can help in bridging the emotional distance. It’s vital to focus on specific achievements and areas for improvement, supported by examples, to make the feedback tangible and actionable. Emphasizing future development and opportunities rather than solely past performance encourages growth and motivation. 

Employers should actively listen, offering a platform for employees to voice their experiences, challenges, and aspirations within the remote work context. This includes understanding their home work environment and any external factors that may affect their performance. Establishing a follow-up plan to revisit goals and provide ongoing support underscores the commitment to employee growth beyond the review itself. 

The Impact of Regular Performance Reviews on Remote Work Success

The effectiveness of regular performance reviews extends far beyond mere assessments in the realm of remote work. They serve as a vital mechanism for reinforcing company values, goals, and expectations, while simultaneously catering to the individual growth needs of remote employees. Such reviews are instrumental in fostering a culture where feedback is not only anticipated but valued as a tool for personal and professional development. Through these structured interactions, employers and employees collaboratively pave the way for sustained growth and achievement in a remote setting.

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February 1, 2024

8 Tips to Unplug and Enjoy Spring Break with Your Kids

Are you planning a spring break vacation with your kids? If so, you may be feeling overwhelmed at the thought of juggling work and family obligations. Taking time away from work is a great opportunity to relax and make memories with your children. However, it’s important to be prepared ahead of time to make sure you can truly unplug and enjoy the break. After all, when you work remotely, it can be hard to put your phone down. That’s why we’ve put some great tips together for you! Learn some tricks to get prepared at work to be able to fully enjoy and embrace the upcoming vacation and family memories.

1) Decide What Can Wait

Make sure to prioritize tasks and decide what can wait. Some things may need to be taken care of before leaving, but some tasks can wait until after you return. Start by making a list of all the tasks that need to be done, and then prioritize those tasks in order of importance. This will help you determine which tasks you can delegate or delay until after the break.

2) Let Your Boss and Team Know as Soon as Possible

You can start by talking to your boss and teammates about the dates you plan to be gone. If you have vacation or personal days available, this is the best way to ensure that you will get the time you need. Your boss may even suggest ideas to make the process easier, such as having someone cover your responsibilities while you’re gone. Keeping an open dialogue with your team will help make sure everyone is on the same page; it’s important to stress too that even though you might work remotely, you still want separation from vacation and work time.

3) Set an “Out of Office” Message

Letting people know you will be away on spring break is important. Setting an ”out of office’ message is a great way to do that. This can be done through email or by updating your voicemail. Make sure the message states you will be away and when you will return. This way people know they can’t reach you, but they can still reach someone else if they need help while you are gone. Don’t forget to turn off any automatic emails during the time of your vacation. This way you don’t have to worry about being interrupted by work-related emails.

4) Check in Only When Needed

When you’re on vacation, it’s important to find ways to unplug and truly enjoy your time off. One way to do this is to limit the number of times you check in with your work. This could mean limiting yourself to checking in only when necessary or at pre-agreed upon times. Try to get the most out of your break by focusing on quality family time, rather than worrying about work obligations. Make sure you let your boss and teammates know if and how often you plan to check in, so they know what to expect from you while you’re away.

5) Keep Your Phone out of Reach

This will help reduce temptation to constantly check emails and messages, and ensure that you don’t miss out on time with your family. Put your phone away in a place where you can’t easily access it, or switch it off altogether. If you need to keep your phone available for emergencies, set a specific time each day when you will check in with work. That way you can still enjoy the break without worrying about work related tasks.

6) Put Together a Daily Schedule

Creating a daily schedule is one of the best ways to ensure you’re able to unplug and really enjoy your spring break with your kids. This can help keep everyone on track and make sure that you’re all getting the most out of your time away. Come up with activities to do each day, from morning till evening. Be sure to include some fun, educational activities, some quality family time, and some down time for yourself. Scheduling out your days will help you stay focused and make the most of your break. Remember to also leave room for flexibility and spontaneity – it’s a vacation after all!

7) Set Some Ground Rules

First, decide how often you are going to check in with work, if at all. Make sure to stick to the rule you decide and don’t let it be flexible. Secondly, create a schedule for the day and talk about expectations so everyone knows what is expected of them. Finally, set some boundaries for yourself. Make sure to take some time for yourself throughout the day and make sure not to be too strict on the time you spend away from work. Ask your family to help keep you accountable as well.

8) Take Some Time for Yourself

Taking time off work for a spring break trip is a great way to unplug and enjoy quality time with your kids. However, make sure you take some time for yourself too! Dedicate some time each day for yourself so that you can relax and recharge. Go for a walk, take a bubble bath, pray or meditate or read a book. Taking some time for yourself will help you be in the best mental state to spend quality time with your kids during your trip. Remember, your trip should be a fun break from the daily routine, so make sure to make some time for yourself to enjoy it too!

What are your tips for getting ready for spring break at work? Let us know so we can share them!

 

 

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January 9, 2024

A Basic Outline of Health Insurance for Entrepreneurs and Remote Employees

In today’s ever-changing work landscape, more and more companies are embracing remote work and hiring remote employees. Some companies may offer health insurance for their employees while other companies only hire remote contractors, which means you have to figure out your own health insurance. However, navigating the world of health insurance can be overwhelming and confusing. As entrepreneurs ourselves, we know some of the basics around health insurance, so we wanted to share a little info that might help in choosing your insurance for the upcoming year.

Understanding the Basics of Health Insurance

Health insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company that provides coverage for medical expenses. Key terms to know include premiums (the amount you pay for coverage), deductibles (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in), and copays (the fixed amount you pay for each medical service). Understanding these basics will help you navigate the world of health insurance and make informed decisions for yourself and your team.

Essential Steps in Preparing Health Insurance

Start by assessing your needs and budget, then research different insurance providers and plans. Consider your specific needs, such as age and health conditions. Once you’ve gathered all the necessary information, compare the plans and choose the one that offers the best coverage and value for you. 

If you are a business owner, don’t forget to communicate the details of the plan effectively to your employees to ensure everyone is well-informed and protected. Think about the specific needs and preferences of your remote team. Are they more interested in comprehensive coverage or lower premiums? Are there any pre-existing conditions that need to be taken into account? Additionally, consider the flexibility of the insurance provider and the ease of accessing healthcare services while working remotely. You can send out a survey to your team to ask their preferences here. Also keep in mind that getting insurance for employees that are in different states will require some different steps to provide coverage.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Health Insurance Provider

When choosing a health insurance provider, it’s important to consider factors such as network coverage, reputation, customer service, and cost. Look for a provider that has a wide network of doctors and hospitals to ensure you have access to quality healthcare; you can also search by doctor if you want to ensure a certain doctor will be covered. Check reviews and ratings to gauge the provider’s reputation and customer satisfaction. Also, consider the cost of the plans, including premiums, deductibles, and copays, to find a balance between affordability and comprehensive coverage. Some plans also have great benefits that promote employees staying healthy by logging miles walked or challenges the companies can offer; this might be a great way to encourage your employees to boost their immune systems.

On the flipside, as a contractor, it is important to focus on being healthy while working from home. Search out plans that might offer incentives for you as an individual to complete healthy tasks. You can also search for plans that send regular health tips and offer check-ins to ensure you are keeping your health at the top of your mind.

For more in-depth information about healthcare options, visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/

 

 

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April 10, 2023

3 Tools Every Remote Worker Needs in Their Toolkit

Working remotely means that you and your team must be well coordinated to ensure everyone is on the same page. We have noticed companies using three main tools to get the job done, and we wanted to share these with you! All of these tools are incredibly versatile and can help to streamline your workflow, boost productivity, and increase collaboration. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with them before seeking remote work — if you are not sure where to start, we offer training in these tools and more to prepare you for your dream remote position!

1) Asana

Asana is an incredibly popular tool for remote teams, and it’s not hard to see why. Asana allows you to easily manage tasks, track progress, assign tasks to team members, and keep everyone on the same page. It’s also great for organizing projects into different categories and tracking deadlines. You can easily set reminders and due dates, comment on tasks, attach files, and track progress across the board. You can also create groups and assign members to them, which helps with communication and collaboration.

Asana also offers reporting tools that let you track progress, analyze team performance, and get an overall view of how your project is progressing. The platform also offers integration with other tools such as Google Calendar, Dropbox, and Zapier, which makes it even easier to use. With Asana, you can create a comprehensive project plan and ensure that everyone is on the same page. With its easy-to-use interface and powerful features, Asana is an essential tool for any remote team; many teams use this or equivalent software. While each has its unique features and quirks, they tend to all work in a similar fashion. Once you learn one, you can easily use the others! If you are more familiar with another platform such as Monday, then mention that in your cover letter, résumé, and interview. Those skills are certainly transferable if the position you are interested in uses a different project management software than the one you have used.

2) Google Docs and Google Sheets

Google Docs is a powerful word processor that allows you to create, edit, and share documents online. It also provides collaboration features such as revision tracking and commenting so multiple users can work on a document at the same time. Google Sheets is a spreadsheet program that enables you to organize and analyze data. With Google Sheets, you can quickly create charts and tables, store data, and work collaboratively with other users.

Google Docs and Sheets are incredibly user-friendly and come with an abundance of features that can help make remote work easier. For instance, you can use the “Explore” feature to quickly get insights from your data. You can also easily format text, images, and other elements to improve the look and readability of your documents. The real-time collaboration features make it simple to share and review documents with others, even when you’re miles apart.

Whether you’re writing an important report, crunching numbers, or putting together a presentation, Google Docs and Google Sheets are essential tools for getting the job done right. As a remote worker, these two applications will become an indispensable part of your toolkit. If you are familiar with Microsoft Office’s products, then you will easily be able to use Google’s products!

3) Slack

Slack allows team members to communicate quickly and easily through messaging, file sharing, and voice and video calling. Slack also offers an array of integrations with other tools, including Asana, which helps to streamline team collaboration. The user interface is intuitive and makes it easy for team members to keep track of conversations, tasks, and updates. With the ability to create custom channels for specific topics or projects, Slack helps remote teams stay organized and on top of projects. This tool has grown to be one of the most-used platforms we see, followed closely behind by Microsoft Teams.

Here is what all these tools boil down to: you need to be familiar with a project management software (such as Asana), you need to be able to use tools that allow you to collaborate on your thoughts or numbers (such as Google Docs and Sheets), and finally, you need to know fast ways to communicate with other team members. As aforementioned, once you learn at least one of each of these three tools, you will be able to transfer those skills to others. This can seem overwhelming, but remember, we are here to help. We offer job training that covers tools like these and more from time tracking software to video call software. 

 

 

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March 13, 2023

10 Surefire Ways to Reward and Recognize Your Remote Team Members

As companies become increasingly reliant on remote teams, managers must be aware of the unique needs and challenges of their staff. Keeping team members motivated and engaged is essential for ensuring productivity and success. A great way to achieve this is by providing rewards for their hard work and dedication. It can be difficult to find ways to show appreciation when you don’t have regular face-to-face interactions. However, there are many creative and effective ways to recognize remote team members that can help foster a positive working environment and boost team productivity.

1) Celebrate Birthdays and Anniversaries

When it comes to birthdays, some options include sending a card with a gift card or cash bonus, a personalized message, or even a cake or bouquet of flowers. Celebrating work anniversaries is a great way to show appreciation for loyalty and hard work. You can make an announcement recognizing the employee, send a special gift, or give them extra time off. No matter what you decide to do, don’t forget to reach out to each team member individually to wish them a happy birthday or congratulate them on their work anniversary. This simple act will show your remote employees how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication.

2) Give Bonuses

This can come in the form of financial bonuses, gift cards, or even an extra day off. It is important to communicate clearly why the bonus is being given so that team members understand the value and appreciation behind it. Additionally, it’s important to be fair and consistent when giving out bonuses to ensure that everyone feels appreciated.

3) Give Paid Time Off

Paid time off helps ensure that they have adequate time away from work to rest and recharge, so they can come back refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges. Giving your remote team members the freedom to take time off as they need it will also help foster loyalty and appreciation for their job and the organization.

4) Invest in their Professional Development

Consider enrolling them in online courses, webinars, conferences, and other educational opportunities. Additionally, consider setting up mentoring programs with more experienced colleagues or providing access to a library of books related to their field.

5) Send Swag

You can send swag such as branded shirts, personalized mugs, books related to the company mission, and other thoughtful items. It’s a great way to show that you value your remote team members and appreciate their hard work. Plus, it’s fun to open an unexpected package!

6) Offer Flexible Hours

Flexible hours can help to boost morale, create a sense of trust between the employee and employer, and reduce stress levels. Consider offering flexible hours that allow team members to work when they are most productive and creative, and let them take breaks whenever needed.

7) Provide Opportunities to Lead

Encourage your team members to take on more responsibility by giving them opportunities to plan projects, lead meetings, or assign tasks. This will show that you trust and value their capabilities while motivating them to excel in their roles. Celebrate their successes and reward them with additional recognition or bonuses.

8) Acknowledge Good Work Publicly

Show your appreciation by highlighting the contributions they’ve made and recognizing their hard work in emails, meetings or on social media. Doing this encourages employees to continue performing well and boosts morale among the team. It can also help create a positive team environment that is driven by success and recognition.

9) Hold Virtual Team Building Activities

Team building activities are a great way to bring your remote team together and foster stronger relationships. Host a virtual game night or movie night. Ask everyone to cook the same meal and eat it together over video conference. Have a themed party, like a costume party, where everyone shows off their best outfit. Or play charades, where one person acts out a phrase and the other players have to guess what it is. Whatever activity you choose, make sure it’s fun and entertaining for everyone involved.

10) Create a Virtual Book Club

Build stronger connections with remote team members by establishing a remote book club! Each month or two, choose a new book and ask those who want to participate to read it. Schedule a fun meetup to get people’s opinions and perspectives on the novel. This is a great way to learn more about each individual person through a fun activity. You can also rotate who gets to pick the book for the month. If books aren’t your thing, you could also do a movie club! 

How do you keep your remote team motivated and rewarded? Share your tips with us!

 

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February 6, 2023

How to Manage a Remote Team Successfully as a Business Owner

As a business owner, managing a remote team can be a challenge. From establishing communication protocols to maintaining productivity, there are many elements to consider when working with a distributed team. If you’re looking for advice on how to get the most out of your remote team, then this blog post is for you. Here, we will discuss tips and strategies for how to effectively manage a remote team as a business owner, so that you can maximize the potential of your employees and ensure success for your business.

Create a Company Culture

A strong corporate culture gives your team members a sense of purpose and unity, which is key to building trust and promoting collaboration. To create a successful company culture for your remote team, start by defining your mission and values, and make sure they are reflected in all aspects of your work. Provide guidance on how you expect people to interact with each other, both online and in person. Encourage open communication, transparency, and collaboration. You can also take steps to make your remote team feel more connected. Consider holding regular virtual meetings or video chats to discuss projects and tasks. Establish a team workspace where everyone can share ideas and updates. Additionally, consider offering incentives such as recognition for excellent work or rewards for reaching goals.

Hire the Right People

You want to make sure that you’re selecting individuals who have the skills and experience necessary for the job. It’s also important to consider the types of personality traits and communication styles that will work well in a remote environment. To ensure you hire the right people, it’s important to take the time to develop a comprehensive job description that clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of each position. This will allow you to determine the exact type of person you are looking for. Once you have a clear idea of what you need, you can start your recruitment process. When interviewing potential candidates, be sure to ask questions that will give you an idea of how they will perform in a remote setting. Additionally, conduct a few rounds of interviews with each candidate to get a better sense of their knowledge and expertise. Finally, be sure to check references and do background checks to ensure you are hiring qualified individuals.

Set Clear Expectations

Your team should know exactly what you expect from them and how you want them to carry out their tasks. To set clear expectations, make sure to create specific goals and deadlines. If there are any policies or procedures that you want your team to follow, make sure to communicate these to your team. Also, provide feedback regularly so that your team can stay on track and make progress. When it comes to communication, be sure to specify how often you want to check in with your team and the type of updates you need from them. For example, do you prefer weekly status reports? Or would you prefer a daily check-in? It’s important that your team knows when and how to contact you. Finally, be sure to give your team an opportunity to ask questions and discuss their concerns with you. This will help them understand their roles better and build trust in the team.

Over-Communicate

Communication should be frequent and clear to avoid any misunderstandings or confusion. As a business owner, you need to be constantly monitoring the progress of each team member and staying in touch with them. This can be accomplished through video conferencing, group chats, email, and instant messaging. It is important to remember that remote employees often work in different time zones, so be aware of this when planning communication. Setting up a routine for regular check-ins and keeping an open channel of communication can help ensure that tasks are completed on time and that everyone is working together. Regular one-on-one meetings are also important to discuss expectations, progress, any challenges the team is facing, and successes they have achieved. This will help build trust between the business owner and team members, which can go a long way in ensuring a successful remote work relationship. 

Use the Right Tools

As a business owner, you should invest in the best tools available that will help your remote team stay productive and collaborate. Here are some of the key tools for remote teams:

  1. Project Management Software: Project management software helps organize tasks, assign deadlines, track progress, and keep everyone on the same page. Popular options include Asana, Trello, Basecamp, and Slack.
  2. Video Conferencing Software: Video conferencing software allows remote teams to connect face-to-face, which can help improve collaboration and communication. Popular options include Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet.
  3. File-Sharing Software: File-sharing software makes it easy for remote teams to share documents and other types of files with one another. Popular options include Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive.
  4. Online Whiteboard: An online whiteboard allows remote teams to brainstorm together in real-time, even if they are miles apart. Popular options include Mural, Miro, and Stormboard.

What tips and tricks do you use to manage your remote team? Let us know so we can share with our audience!

 

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September 12, 2022

5 Tips for Handling Flex Scheduling as a Remote Boss

Being the boss of your own small business can offer many benefits such as flexible hours, more control over your workday, and more money in your pocket. However, it can also be challenging to maintain this level of autonomy when you’re working from home or are otherwise unable to interact with coworkers on a daily basis. Flex scheduling gives employees the freedom to set their own schedules and work at their own pace, but as an employer you need to make sure that you’re still able to keep track of what each person is doing at all times.

1) Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

If you’re a remote boss, it’s important to communicate regularly with your team members. This way, you can stay up-to-date on what’s going on and ensure that everyone is on the same page. The worst thing you can do is drop off the face of the earth without any notice. One good idea is to set aside one day each week where you’ll touch base with each person individually. If anything needs attention, this will be an ideal time to tackle these issues before they become bigger problems!

2) Have Time Blocks with Deadlines

One way to approach this is to have time blocks with deadlines. This means that each day, you and your team will have specific times when you are expected to be working on specific tasks. Having this structure will help to keep everyone on track and ensure that deadlines are met. Of course, there will always be some flexibility with this, but it is important to have some sort of system in place.

3) Check in Every Day

  1. Schedule regular check-ins with your team.
  2. Let your team know what your availability is like in advance.
  3. Encourage your team to communicate their availability to you as well.
  4. Respect each other’s time and schedules.
  5. Try to be flexible when possible.
  6. Be understanding when things come up.
  7. Have a plan B in case things don’t go as planned.

4) Use Project Management Software

If you manage a remote team, you know that one of the challenges can be coordinating everyone’s schedules. This is where project management software can come in handy. By using a tool like Asana or Trello, you can create flexible schedules for your team and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

5) Review Tasks At The End Of Each Week

As a remote boss, one of the best ways to stay on top of your team’s progress is to review tasks at the end of each week. This helps you identify any areas where employees may be slacking off, and also allows you to give credit where it’s due. Plus, it’s a great way to keep communication open between you and your team.

What tips do you have for managing your remote team? Reach out and let us know!

 

 

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August 1, 2022

5 Ways to Get Your Team to Engage in Group Projects When Working Remotely

Working remotely on group projects can be challenging. There are fewer opportunities to connect with the rest of your team, so it can feel like you’re going it alone — which can make it harder to stay motivated and accountable to your goals. While working remotely doesn’t have to be lonely, there are ways to get your team to engage in group projects when working remotely — like these five tips!

1) Set up a collaborative platform

Before anything else, you need to set up a platform where your team can easily collaborate on projects. This could be something as simple as setting up a Google Doc or creating a Slack channel. Once you have a platform set up, make sure everyone knows how to use it and that they have access to it. To create an even more collaborative atmosphere, break up tasks so that different people are responsible for different parts of the project. If someone has questions about their part of the project, they should speak with the person who is assigned to their task instead of contacting someone who might not be working on their task at all. You may also want to designate some time for weekly meetings so people can discuss what’s been done since the last meeting and provide feedback if necessary.

2) Ask questions

Asking questions is a great way to get your team to engage in group projects. By doing this, you can get a better understanding of what your team members are thinking and feeling, and you can also get them to share their own ideas and thoughts. Additionally, connecting with your team in this way can help build rapport and trust within your team. As a leader, following up with your team will show that you are cultivating an open, accepting work space, and you can use it to find out where you can delegate tasks to make projects run smoother.

3) Create an easy way to share ideas

Brainstorming is a key part of any project, but it can be difficult to do when team members are working remotely. One way to make it easier is to create a shared document where everyone can contribute ideas. This could be a Google Doc, an online whiteboard, or even just a shared email thread. The point is that people can work on their own and then share what they’ve come up with with the rest of the group in a place where ideas are easy to reference.

4) Encourage honest feedback

One way to get your team to engage in group projects is by encouraging honest feedback. This way, team members will feel comfortable communicating with each other and won’t be afraid to voice their opinions. Furthermore, honest feedback will help the team identify areas that need improvement. For example, if someone on the team notices a teammate struggling with deadlines or something else related to work, they can offer assistance without feeling like they’re going out of their way. 

Once people are more confident in giving criticism, it will become easier for them to open up about things that are bothering them without being worried about seeming unhelpful or negative. After all, these things should be addressed so as not to have an impact on productivity!

5) Make it personal

Get to know your team on a personal level. What are their hobbies? What do they like to do for fun? Getting to know your team will help you find ways to encourage them to interact. Here at HireMyMom we have each of our team members fill out a fun survey so we can learn more about them; we ask them about their hobbies, favorite holidays, and even favorite foods!

What are ways you keep your remote team engaged? Contact us to let us know!

 

 

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