Remote and hybrid work setups have become popular among businesses across industries. These setups give employees the flexibility to work in an environment they feel most productive, while businesses can save on overhead and other costs. However, these benefits come with a challenge: how to maintain strong communication and consistent productivity among workers.
Whether you’re a business owner with a distributed team or an employee learning to thrive in a remote work environment, you need to know how to achieve effective communication. Here are some tips for both.
Establish clear communication protocols
Miscommunication is a constant challenge if remote workers don't understand what's expected of them. Business owners must therefore establish guidelines on which apps to use for what purpose. For example, use email for more formal communications, messaging apps such as Slack or Microsoft Teams for daily chats, and video calls for more urgent matters or regular catch-ups. Establishing guidelines prevents overwhelming your team and ensures that important updates aren’t lost in a sea of notifications.
As a remote worker, you should make it a habit to overcommunicate rather than assume people get you. Always update your status, maximize using project management tools, and check in regularly with your coworkers and managers to update them on your progress.
Leverage the right tools and technology
Businesses should use integrated cloud platforms that combine communication, collaboration, and file sharing, such as Microsoft 365. These tools help team members stay connected and organized.
Remote workers will rely on their tech setup for their daily tasks, so they should always have the following: strong internet, updated software, and robust cybersecurity measures (e.g., firewalls, endpoint protection, and data backups).
Create a routine and respect work hours
Remote work can blur the lines between work and home, which can lead to burnout and decrease people’s productivity.
To avoid this, businesses should encourage their employees to stick to standard work hours and respect their time off. Set the following expectation: do not respond after office hours unless it’s urgent. This will be good for your staff’s morale and work-life balance, improving your team’s long-term productivity.
Remote workers, on the other hand, should create a schedule that mimics a traditional workday at the office. Use time-blocking strategies so you can focus on work and meetings while ensuring you’ll have short breaks throughout the day. Communicate to your team when you’re available for them, so teams can plan and collaborate more efficiently.
Encourage face-to-face interactions (even virtually)
Video meetings, when done right, build rapport among your staff and prevent feelings of isolation for some. Businesses should hold regular virtual team meetings with both professional and social agendas. Come up with team-building activities, such as virtual coffee breaks, to keep the team connected and engaged.
For better face-to-face interactions, remote workers should also be encouraged to turn on their cameras when possible during virtual meetings. Doing so humanizes interactions, and makes it easier to pick up on nonverbal cues and build personal connections.
Track progress without micromanaging
Project management tools such as Asana or Trello makes assigning tasks and tracking deadlines simpler and more efficient. These platforms track everything from task completion to time spent per task, so managers can monitor progress without constantly checking in with their team members. Remote workers should also be encouraged to provide regular updates on their tasks, either through these tools or through weekly check-ins. This keeps everyone aligned and accountable without resorting to micromanagement.
When managed well, remote work encourages flexibility, boosts employee satisfaction, and helps improve performance. Having the right systems, support, and policies in place can make a world of difference for everyone’s remote work experience. If you want to improve your remote communication and productivity, NetQuest is here to help. Our experts can set up systems and provide training to help businesses and their remote workers improve their communication and increase productivity. Contact us today.
