Five ways to successful remote working
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where are you working right now? On your sofa? In a coffee shop with your earbuds in? From your tablet on an outdoor patio? If you work virtually—that is, “telecommute”—you’re part of a fast-growing trend in the modern workforce.
As a new working practice, making telecommuting part of your usual routine takes some discipline and diligence. Here are five things you can do to work more effectively:
1. Communicate, communicate, communicate - well and often
Communication is both the biggest obstacle and the solution to developing trust within remote teams,” Sara Sutton Fell, CEO of FlexJobs. Use multiple tools to connect - Email, chat, phone, web, and video conferencing.
Email is great for tactical information, project updates, and sharing data.
The phone works well when you need to brainstorm or solve a messier problem.
Video conferencing is ideal for several people tackling a challenging topic and for sharing difficult news.
Choose which technology is best for every given situation.
2. Be a Proactive Manager
Reach out to your team members regularly to set clear goals and expectations, offer support and assistance.
Checking in consistently is critical. Offer support and encouragement via email and voicemails.
3. Be a Proactive Team member
Be deliberate about reaching out and connecting with your co-workers. Join conference calls a few minutes earlier and catch up with colleagues on casual conversation. Invite colleagues for virtual lunch or coffee. Seek out your manager and arrange weekly update or catch up calls.
4. Be Personal
Get to know each other outside of your professional roles in order to form more solid working relationships based on trust.
Recreate the "watercooler conversation" that natural occurs in a traditional office.
As a manager you can arrange team meetings via video conference, so everyone can see each other—and have a team member share photos from a recent vacation or outing or by sharing a favorite recipe. This helps boost team members’ engagement.
Originally published by fastcompany. To read the full article click here.