Remote working has changed from an unusual arrangement to the new normal. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced this sudden change in the working model, and after understanding its benefits, businesses worldwide are compelled to adopt remote working and see how this works for their team.
Apparently, nearly 36 million Americans will work remotely by 2025-that is a growth of 87% above the pre-pandemic number. However, this change has been especially relevant to the consideration of modifying the company's management practices, mainly in cases where they are working with virtual teams spread across different countries and time zones.
Remote team supervision differs from traditional workplace management. It involves flexibility, clear communication, and the tools and resources available for getting work done. In this blog post, we will continue the discussion of how companies can adjust to this new arena by discussing essential strategies for managing remote teams across borders.
The evolution of digitalization is the leading force that is driving the rise and trend of remote work environments. Most of the problems that managers might face will be due to technical glitches. However, there might be trust issues regarding how wisely a subordinate is utilizing its working hours, but all the issues can be easily regulated using the right tools and methodologies.
Besides, managing a remote team increases if you have a global task force. Many reasons, like time zone differences, communication styles, technology accessibility, and culture, make it difficult for managers to establish coordination.
Hence, here are some strategies that you can use to manage your remote task force across borders easily:
1. Shift to Nearshore Staff Augmentation
Nearshore staff augmentation focuses on hiring talent from nearby countries at affordable rates instead of looking for skilled professionals working from the other side of the world. This includes numerous benefits, like there will time zone alignment, minimal cultural differences, and quick time to market. It is because, with a minimum difference in the time zones, you can easily communicate with employees and get things done.
2. Utilize a Globally-Used and Familiar Project Management Tool
A project management tool simplifies tracking progress on all team members' tasks and activities. It reduces the need to reach out to every member and ask for a status update. Project management tools, like Trello and Asana, also make it easier for employees to understand their roles and responsibilities within complex projects. With these tools, one can set priorities, assign responsibilities, establish deadlines, and maintain transparency across all stages of the project.
Document collaboration platforms like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 enable real-time editing, version control, and easy collaboration on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Your workforce can simultaneously work on the projects, eliminating the back-and-forth file exchanges through emails or communication messenger tools.
3. Create a Stack of Communication Tools
Just like there is consistency in operations when working from the office, this element should be introduced in remote work environments as well. One of the biggest challenges in remote work is that there is no face-to-face communication, and to cover this gap; it is essential to have a set of tools that improves communication.
For instance, you can utilize a common messenger for instant messaging and getting quick updates, like WhatsApp or Google Chat. Similarly, for video calls or quick meetings with your team for project discussions or 1:1 calls, you can use Google Meet, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams app.
However, the key thing to remember while selecting and deciding on one communication tool is that all of your team members should be able to use it properly, and adapting to these tools should be easy.
4. Discuss Everything Clearly With Your Team Members
Clear communication is important in conveying your expectations to the team members. This is will require constantly remaining in touch with the employees, like feedback calls and project discussions. Now, most managers struggle with communicating things properly to their subordinates and describing them briefly, but this will all lead to problems because you won’t be able to meet the client’s expectations with deliverables, affecting your KPIs.
Hence, you will have to understand your team members' capabilities and capacity to comprehend things and assign responsibilities accordingly. Similarly, you will need to align your communication strategies as well, like if one of your team members can understand things with a text message, then you can stick to using a messaging tool. However, if someone requires in-depth information and hands-on experience before starting on the work, then you have to use a video meeting tool to explain things clearly to them.
5. Establish Daily Routines
Consistency in daily routine makes team management easier for team leads and aligning work priorities simpler for team members. You can help them maximize their efficiency and productivity by scheduling regular team meetings, daily stand-ups, one-on-ones, and deadlines well in advance. This makes management easier and helps build healthy relationships among the team.
6. Give Your Team Members Flexibility
This is an important point to consider because a remote work environment is all about flexibility. Being rigid about the timings can make your team members frustrated. For instance, if an employee wishes to start late because of their routine, then you can give them permission. However, ensure that they are completing for the desired working period. If an employee has joined at 11 am, then ensure they are working additional hours to complete their 8-hour shift.
Also, as a team lead, you will have to understand that an emergency situation at their remote location can happen, and you will need to adjust things accordingly with your employees and the project delivery. Create a safe working environment so your members aren’t afraid to report things to you, and you can make decisions accordingly.
As the traditional workplace changes, managers must adapt their strategies for leading teams worldwide. Businesses could ensure a productive and harmonious space for remote working by setting clear expectations, providing the right tools, encouraging open communication, and reflecting upon cultural differences.
In this new future work environment, flexibility and adaptability will be the guiding qualities. Leaders who embrace these qualities and emphasize the cohesiveness of the team are most likely to spearhead the future landscape of any workplace. At the very least, managing a team remotely will fail unless one acknowledges the fact that, despite the larger shift in work dynamics, the crux of good leadership - communication, trust, and collaboration - remains unchanged.