Hiring talent across the globe has been a game-changer for companies. You’re no longer limited to talent within specific borders or from specific backgrounds.
Remote work has enabled companies to hire incredible talent from all corners of the world, in all sorts of industries, and across many time zones.
While this is fantastic and even allows companies to skip on office costs sometimes, it also requires a different approach than usual.
With employees located in different countries, from different backgrounds, and with varying time zones, it’s going to take extra effort to create a sense of togetherness and keep the motivation going.
The Human Element
Remote work is facilitated by tons of different software, equipment, and business methodologies.
From team communication apps, VPNs (wanna learn more about that?), cloud computing, and calendar synchronizers, there’s a lot that goes into making remote teams work.
But what truly makes a team, a team? Usually, it’s the human element – and we’re going to go over the multiple facets this can take.
Make Sure to Chat Often
Touch base with your remote team regularly. This could be through video chats, quick messages, or using online tools that help track projects.
The goal is to make sure every team member feels included and valued, both as an employee and an individual.
Find a meeting schedule that fits everyone. Maybe a quick check-in works best for some people, while others like less frequent but longer group meetings.
And don’t worry if your teams are spread across various time zones – just make sure to share your online calendars with each other to help you find a time that works for both of you.
The most important thing is to keep the lines of communication open and help everyone get to know each other better.
Build Friendships at Work
It’s really important to help your team feel connected, even when they’re not in the same place – and to feel connected not only through work but also through shared interests and stories.
Make room in the schedule for fun online hangouts like virtual coffee breaks, lunch dates, game nights, or even just time to chat and relax together.
Another great idea is a shared, virtual food or drink tasting; send a package to each employee (anything from chocolates to sodas) and get together to do a tasting experience.
It’s nice for team members to talk about their lives and share stories, kind of like they would in the office kitchen. These little moments can make a big difference in making sure no one feels left out.
Celebrate the Wins
When you’re not in the same space, it’s easy to forget to cheer on your team’s successes.
Make it a point to shout out the great work being done; it could be a heartfelt congrats in a team chat, a thoughtful note of thanks, or even a little surprise package to show you’re paying attention.
It’s important to let your team feel appreciated; it keeps spirits high and shows them their efforts don’t go unnoticed.
Why not start a weekly company-wide newsletter celebrating members’ achievements?
Receiving positive feedback and public appreciation can be a gratifying experience for many workers, and helps push them to continue working hard.
Encourage Growth and Learning
People who want to advance can lose interest if their job starts to feel too much like a routine, so keep things fresh by offering regular training and workshops to sharpen skills.
You can also mix it up by giving them chances to tackle new projects or step into different roles. It’s a way of telling your team you’re rooting for their growth, and you see them in it for the long haul.
Organize a chat with your team members and ask them about their self-development – is there anything they’d like to try? Can you put them in touch with a mentor in a different department?
Reach out and Keep Tweaking
With each and every employee being an individual, it’s inevitable that different team members will have different expectations (and experiences) of what the ideal remote work should be like.
Listen to their suggestions and be ready to make changes. Ask them for feedback regularly, and see if there are things they wish were being done differently.
Be open and communicative so your employees also feel like they can approach you when something needs to change.
By doing all these things, you can help your employees feel motivated – and remain it, too. But remember – this isn’t a one time thing, but rather a constant approach towards remote workers.
