FAQs for EMPLOYERS
Worried About Your Off-Site Direct Report's Productivity?
Addressing your concerns with a proactive and open approach will help build trust and improve your working relationship with your remote direct report. Effective communication and clear expectations are key to ensuring productivity and success in remote work scenarios. So, if you’re concerned that your off-site direct report isn’t actually working, it’s essential to address these concerns proactively. Here’s how to handle the situation effectively:
1
Focus on Accomplishments, Not Visibility
Remote workers often work longer hours, but their efforts may not always be visible. Create a list of your remote direct report’s accomplishments over a specific period. Objectively gather facts from emails, goal lists, and project management tools to evaluate their productivity. Consider whether any decrease in output is a return to normalcy after a period of high performance.
2
Build Trust and Rapport
Lack of trust can lead to disengagement and reduced performance. Invest time in getting to know your remote direct report better. Set aside time for informal chats during 1-on-1 meetings or consider visiting them in person. Ask for feedback on your management style and address any concerns they have.
3
Learn from Peer Managers:
Seek advice and insights from peer managers who have experience with remote team members. Ask about their experiences, concerns, and strategies for managing remote workers. Share your findings and experiences with your peers to improve management practices.
4
Clarify Performance Expectations:
Misalignment of expectations can be a common issue. Set clear performance expectations and communicate them effectively. Use visual aids and probing questions to ensure your remote direct report understands your requirements. Follow up with written recaps of discussions to maintain clarity.
5
Set Communication Expectations:
Establish communication expectations for both 1-on-1 updates and team-wide communication. Determine the frequency and level of detail for updates. Encourage adherence to team-wide communication protocols. Address any concerns or obstacles your direct report may face in communication.
6
Make Check-Ins Interactive
Consider screen-sharing during check-in meetings to visually review work together. Screen-sharing allows for back-and-forth discussions, feedback, and coaching. It can help remove ambiguity and overcome cultural or language barriers
FAQs
GETTING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR REMOTE TEAM
As we ease to the new normal, almost all jobs may be done virtually remote. But if we’re miles apart in the world, how do we collaborate without losing the professional touch in the process. Here are the Comprehensive Tools, Systems, Programs, and Apps for Remote Team Management that we can use to effectively communicate and collaborate
COMMUNICATION & COLLABORATION TOOLS
SLACK
Description: A widely-used team communication platform.
Pros: Real-time messaging, file sharing, extensive integrations.
Cons: Limited video conferencing capabilities.
MICROSOFT TEAMS
Description: A collaboration platform integrated with Microsoft Office.
Pros: Video conferencing, document collaboration, extensive integrations.
Cons: Steeper learning curve for some users.
ZOOM
Description: A video conferencing and webinar platform.
Pros: High-quality video and audio, screen sharing, recording options.
Cons: Limited collaboration features compared to dedicated tools.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS
ASANA
Description: A project management platform.
Pros: Task management, project tracking, team collaboration.
Cons: Advanced features require higher-priced plans.
TRELLO
Description: A visual project management tool.
Pros: Kanban-style boards, task assignment, easy-to-use interface.
Cons: Limited reporting and customization options.
TIME TRACKING and PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS
TOGGL
Description: A time tracking tool.
Pros: Simple time tracking, reporting, integrations.
Cons: Limited project management features.
RESCUETIME
Description: A productivity tracking tool.
Pros: Automatic time tracking, detailed reports, goal setting.
Cons: Limited manual tracking options.
FILE SHARING & COLLABORATION TOOLS
GOOGLE WORKSPACE
Description: A suite of productivity tools including Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and more.
Pros: Real-time collaboration, cloud storage, extensive integrations.
Cons: Limited offline access for some apps.
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