Developing a remote team is not an option anymore; it is a necessity. The pandemic halted on-site operations around the globe, which led businesses to shift to work-from-home models. While some saw it as a benefit for both employers and employees, others had to make an abrupt shift just for the sake of it. With this sudden change, businesses had to deal with the most interesting question – how to keep a remote team connected? Remote teams can experience a lack of connection due to distance, no social interaction, and no physical involvement in work activities. Social interaction and engagement are just as fundamental to employee satisfaction and morale. Therefore, keeping them engaged will result in higher productivity and job satisfaction.
If you want to know how to keep a remote team connected, continue reading our blog post and make virtual environments fun and collaborative.
How to Keep a Remote Team Connected
Foster Open Communication
Many organizations often overlook the importance of maintaining open and honest lines of communication, which results in a delayed schedule, missed deadlines, and misunderstandings. Therefore, fostering an open dialogue policy is, so far, the most effective way to connect remote teams. It allows companies to make employees feel heard and track their feedback. Companies with remote teams should also maintain a company culture that motivates employees to raise their concerns without any fear of consequences.
Integrate Different Collaboration Tools and Technology
Rethink your current collaboration tools. If you depend on email, it is high time to change the strategy. You do not want to track the file from months ago by searching through hundreds of emails every single time. Different collaboration tools offer seamless search, file-sharing options, and a user-friendly interface to connect remote teams and streamline communication. Slack, OneDrive, Dropbox, and Hive are a few tools companies use to connect remote teams in real-time.
Geographically-dispersed field workers and remote experts can collaborate using assisted reality devices, such as RealWear. The technology uses assisted reality and features different collaboration software to streamline communication and improve productivity.
Schedule Lunch and Coffee Dates
Use Google calendars to schedule lunch or coffee dates over video with your work buddy or a geographically-dispersed co-worker. As we mentioned, social interaction is a human need, and in remote team settings, it becomes quite difficult. However, a few strategies are in place, and you can make the virtual environment fun too.
Ensure Employee Flexibility
Normalize giving employees the flexibility to set their working schedules. Let them choose their working hours so that those who have families to take care of can do so easily while meeting deadlines without any burden. Not only will it allow you to connect remote teams, but the strategy also enhances your employees’ well-being and allows them to adapt to changing working dynamics.
Celebrate Special Occasions, Birthdays, and Milestones
Even though the cake-cutting ceremony may not actually happen, you can always remember special occasions and birthdays to make employees feel remembered. There are a lot of ways you can think outside the box and make the virtual fun happen. Also, do remember workers’ milestones and small achievements to make them feel appreciated and recognized.
The Importance of Connecting Remote Teams
Work-from-home model is generally beneficial for employees because they do not need to spend on the commute, and they can also maintain a healthy work-life balance. However, if the approach is not handled well, remote working can be challenging due to a lack of communication, collaboration, and engagement. A study by Harvard Business Review reported that remote workers felt left out and disengaged from other co-workers, which led to affecting their mental well-being. Therefore, to make remote teams feel a part of your organization, you need to employ a remote-friendly approach where the workforce feels more engaged and connected virtually.
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