Are you finding it challenging to take care of your remote employees and support their wellbeing? Transitioning from the traditional workplace management system to a new and more modern remote environment can unearth new and complex issues. Understanding these challenges and taking steps to ensure the happiness of your employees is essential to the success of your business. Remote COO has now had 17 years to evolve and uncover steps employers can take to provide a virtual environment in which employees can thrive and prosper.
1 – Provide virtual social events for the team.
It is important to provide time for your remote employees to connect on a social level with their fellow employees. Since there are no other opportunities for them to bump into one another – say at the water cooler or passing in the hallway – having scheduled events (not mandatory, of course) throughout the year are occasions for them to connect and form relationships with one another. Working from home can feel isolating and lonely, so providing these opportunities can help the team feel more connected and part of something bigger.
2 – Consider holding roundtables.
Another opportunity for connection and beneficial to team camaraderie are roundtables. Create small groups and hold one-hour sessions for team-building games, sharing experiences, and discussing issues or challenges that might benefit from another person’s opinion or advice. Often, a team member will have experience with the situation or may have another approach for how to handle a particular situation. Remote COO uses roundtables on a quarterly basis and has found this cadence helpful to team growth and fostering relationships.
3 – Schedule Routine Check-ins.
It’s easy to become disconnected with remote employees. Consider using a messaging platform like the Chat function in Microsoft Teams to stay connected. This allows team members the opportunity to reach out to teammates for information, guidance, or support when needed. Additionally, schedule routine check-ins with managers to discuss workload, any issues the employee might be facing, or any challenges they may foresee in the future. And do your best to not jump straight to business on phone or video calls. Take a moment to connect and strengthen relationships. Successful remote employees need to feel connected and valued, despite being physically disconnected. Just as you would chit chat with employees in an office and learn about their personal lives, the same effort must be given to remote employees.
4 – Show Appreciation.
At Remote COO, we believe in showing appreciation for all that our amazing employees do for our clients. One of the ways we have chosen to show our appreciation is with quarterly mailings filled with fun or useful items. We send out a motivational assessment when a new hire comes on board to find out what each person likes/dislikes and what motivates them. This helps us when creating our appreciation boxes, so each person feels truly seen and pampered.
Lead by Example!
Successful remote employees will only thrive under successful managers who are leading by example! If you are a manager or leader in your organization, be sure you are taking care of yourself and modeling the behavior you want to see in your employees. The most successful businesses are those with teams and managers who stay connected to and regularly acknowledge and appreciate their remote workers.
If you believe your business could benefit from partnering with a remote team of professionals, reach out today.
Be Kind in the Grind
