Remote work might have been a novelty available to only a few in the past, but thanks to the pandemic it has become a mainstream concept that many employers have adopted, even if they didn’t want to.
Top talent is now requesting hybrid or remote work opportunities. So, unless management is ready to lose their key team members, they have to introduce a remote work format.
Tips on remote work for managers
If you are transitioning from office-based to remote work for the first time as a manager, it might seem like a difficult process with many hidden pitfalls. To help you out, we prepared a list of tried and tested tips to guide you in avoiding the typical mistakes and seamlessly facilitate your switch to a remote work.
Tip1: Evaluate the jobs and associated processes
Before you announce your remote work proposal, it’s a good idea to go through the list of jobs your team members are performing and identify the key aspects of each of the positions. In some industries, such as tech, pretty much everyone can work online, but it might require some adjustment. See what will need to be changed or adapted. Also, use this as an opportunity to ditch some of the redundant work or unnecessary bureaucracy.
Tip 2: Identify the new workflow and share it with the team
The new work style is bound to create some misunderstandings and confusion, but you can ease the shift by clarifying as much as possible. For example, now that everyone will be working remotely, you will have 15-minute daily catch-up calls to share your progress and plans for the new day. It might not be clear to everyone why that’s required, so as a manager, you’ll need to communicate the reason for and benefits of the new system and respond to any objections.
Tip 3: Don’t sweat the small things, look at the big picture
When your team is spread around the globe and you can’t physically come to their desk and see how they’re doing, you might be tempted to focus too much on the insignificant nuances and micromanage your employees.
It is understandable, but it ruins the team spirit and creates resentment from the most successful team members. So, the next time you feel the urge to double-check on something minor, remind yourself that you can’t control absolutely everything and that the main focus should be on high-quality outcomes. How your team reaches those outcomes is not as important.
Tips on remote work for employees
Remote work is a challenge for everyone, not only the management. The below tips will help all employees feel more comfortable with the new working style.
Pay attention to self-discipline and deep focus
You might think you are a pinnacle of discipline, but if you're working remotely for the first time, it’s easy to lose focus without even realising it. Make a conscious effort to avoid distractions and train your focus using different techniques, such as Pomodoro.
Follow a routine
Fight the temptation to wake up three minutes before work starts. You will be doing yourself a favour. It’s better for productivity and self-esteem to have a proper morning before starting to work. Try to have at least one hour to yourself before you need to clock in.
Also, aim to have something personal to do in the evenings - make plans with friends, schedule date nights with your significant other, or sign up for hobbies. Otherwise, you risk blurring the lines, working at random hours, and, eventually, burning out.
Log your work
Even smaller tasks. Your manager won’t be able to see you every day, so they might want to get small updates from you more often. Keep a to-do list or log your work in the calendar. That way you’ll be able to track your progress. Also, reporting to superiors will be much easier.
Final thoughts
Switching to remote work can be a challenge for a manager. First of all, if you are used to an in-office 9-to-5 work format, changing your perception of what is work and how it can be done is difficult. However, if you are willing to give up the traditional approach, you will unlock many benefits, from reduced business costs thanks to savings on the office space, to reaching the best candidates who are based elsewhere or are not ready to give up work from home.
It will take some time to make a shift to remote work and re-organise the processes, but the result is definitely worth it. And if you don't have time to start the remote work project, you can always outsource the professional technical team at Emphasoft. At Emphasoft, we’ve been working remotely for many years and have perfected the workflow. Everyone on the team possesses the necessary skills to work productively no matter where they are based. Reach out to us today to see how we can help you with your technical needs on your terms.
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