Companies have had to get resourceful, sure. But the truth is, remote work has granted enormous opportunities for teams to work seamlessly across the world. Hiccups happen. But they don’t have to.
As a remote-by-design company, LinkNow has prioritized effective communication channels to help our workforce can operate at peak productivity. Here are 5 ways we’ve ensured ample communication, even when working remote.
1. Make Time to Hang Out
Meetings don’t need to be mundane and dry. In fact, employees are more likely to engage with their colleagues during laidback and casual meetings. We recommend scheduling weekly virtual hangout sessions to open the floor for the employees to discuss their work week, ask questions, and discuss their plans for outside work. This is also an excellent strategy to remind your employees they are part of a team and that their contributions matter.2. Schedule Virtual 1-on-1 Meetings
Having 1-on-1 meetings with staff is integral for their growth, but when they work remotely, it can be a bit of a challenge. Rather than only communicating via chat or email, we recommend you schedule periodic virtual meetings with your remote workers, cameras and microphones on. Doing this will improve employee/manager relations and promote a much more convivial environment, allowing all parties to clear up issues or concerns and set expectations.3. Incorporate “Social” Events into The Calendar
It’s easy for remote workers to feel isolated and as though they are not part of a work team; it’s an expected consequence of working remotely. You can help your employees feel integrated with their team by scheduling social events. Here are a few examples that are sure to be hit with your remote workers:- • Virtual movie nights
- • Virtual coffee dates – the point of this is to encourage your staff to take a load off, relax, and engage with their teammates by talking about anything that is not work-related.
- • Virtual book club
- • Virtual contests and games
4. Promote Project Teamwork
While most work is best completed individually, there are significant benefits to creating micro-teams to overlook bigger tasks or projects. Consider pairing your employees up to encourage internal team communication and group problem-solving. Rotate the teams every now and again to give your employees a chance to build a relationship with everyone, rather than a few. You could also consider this a learning tool since employees learn best off each other.5. Encourage Daily Greetings
One of the biggest drawbacks to remote work is the lack of social communication, and there is not much an employer can do regarding physical interaction. However, encouraging daily small talk among the team is an excellent way to battle this drawback. Encourage everyone to check in every morning with a simple “hello.” Promote small talk throughout the day via your company’s messaging tool. Not only does this promote constant communication, but it also keeps employees drawn in and feeling like they’re part of a team.When you combine a bit of creativity and a reliable internet connection, improving and achieving optimal communication will never be an issue.
Did you find this useful? Got a tip of your own to share? Let us know in the comments section below. And if you’re looking to join a remote workforce, LinkNow is always on the lookout for new talent. Check out our Jobs board to see what positions we’re currently looking to fill!