Hundreds of businesses have suddenly found themselves with empty offices due to the recent changes in business landscape.
While the practical issues of getting online, keeping track of tasks, and meeting KPIs are important, there’s also the issue of teamwork and morale.
Many businesses operate on the strength of an amazing team. These colleagues see each other like family and are inspired by interacting every day. When everyone is suddenly stuck behind a screen, momentum can be lost.
Here are some simple ways to keep teamwork alive while working remotely.
Don’t be strangers
There’s nothing like leaning over your shoulder and sharing something with a colleague.
Thanks to virtual chat platforms like Google Hangouts Chat, Slack, and Troop Messenger, it’s now possible to keep up real-time conversations.
There are also popular mobile and social media apps like Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, and Viber. However, one thing to be aware of is blurring the lines of work and personal life. Sometimes personal conversations can make their way into work messages if you all use one of these platforms.
Messaging apps allow your team to create an individual, small group, or whole team chats. While time-wasting is never encouraged, be flexible when it comes to small talk and allow some joking around. It’s an important element of your team’s working lives which keep them together as a team.
You may even want to set up a ‘Funny stuff’ chat (we call ours ‘Watercooler’) where people can share memes and jokes, or a ‘What’s Up’ conversation for people to share their personal updates.
In 2020, even a COVID-19 themed chatroom can give people space to share information and have a quick chat about what’s going on before returning to their work. As a leader, you can use this space to post important messages.
Keep up with meetings
Working in different parts of the city, country or even the world doesn’t mean you can’t get together.
The video conferencing platforms on offer from G Suite, Skype, and Zoom let you have multiple meeting participants. These platforms let you share your own screen, send attachments, and add text chat, making it as easy to collaborate as if you were in the same room.
These meetings don’t have to be all about work. Host ‘Fika’, which is a Swedish-based morning tea tradition, or take an Aussie approach and enjoy a Friday drinks session ‘together’. This gives people the chance to shoot the breeze, catch up, and even have ‘a-ha!’ moments that can help your business grow.
Find common working hours
Working from home provides the flexibility to do things your way in terms of timing. Some people like to get out of bed and start responding to emails at six am. Others would rather come online after 11 in the morning.
While people appreciate having room to move in their daily schedule, try to have an hour or two, (or more if possible) when everybody is online at the same time. This will help with communication and camaraderie.
Be a phone call away
Even with technology, sometimes a phone chat is what’s needed. In the digital age, picking up the phone feels more personal.
Remind your team that you are at the end of the line if they need you. Encourage them to reach out to each other as appropriate as well.
Maintain the trust
If you lean towards being a micromanager, having your team out of sight may cause feelings of stress. However, in these times more than ever, people value their jobs. You do have to trust to a certain extent that they are doing their best to get their work done.
Yes, there are apps for tracking activity such as Time Doctor, Timely, and HiveDesk but the more you trust your team, the stronger your culture will be.
Instead of using these apps, set fair deadlines for tasks. This will encourage productivity without the need to breathe down people’s necks.
A culture of transparency is also important. Be open with your team about what’s going on and include all the relevant people in conversations where possible. Nobody likes to feel out of the loop so share company updates, strategies, and plans to encourage an inclusive culture amongst your team.
Need help getting your remote team online? Connect with us for support to transition quickly and effectively.
