In our last post, we discussed the reasons why some typical HR practices don't work when managing remote teams. Thankfully, technology can help tackle these challenges.
How leading organizations manage international teams
There are many examples of large enterprises managing international and remote teams. After the pandemic, many companies chose to remain in a hybrid work model, while others shifted to full remote work.
Companies like Spotify and Lyft have always embraced the work-from-home model, and others chose to do the shift after the pandemic. Yelp, for example, closed its office space and all tasks are now done remotely. Last April, PayPal did the same with their San Francisco office.
Many companies try to foster engagement with virtual team-building activities. These activities may include a “morning chit chat” to catch up on small talk before starting tasks. Or, for instance, having a virtual coffee meet, gaming tournaments, or virtual fun sessions. The idea behind these activities is to have some kind of touch point beyond work.
Want more from Sift?
Sign up for The Forge Newsletter, a monthly round-up of the best pieces from our blog, valuable resources, and updates from the team!
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
How to use technology to manage remote teams
Technology is critical when managing remote teams. It brings people closer and smooths communications. Whether you want to build community culture or even need to manage internationally remote teams, there is software that can help you attain your goals. That being said, there are some things to consider to have a successful team.
Allow employee autonomy and freedom
This is perhaps the most important tip to have a successful remote team. Nobody likes to be micromanaged, and even less so when working from home. Allow your remote workers to set their own schedules and work when it is best for them. Employees can track their time with dedicated software, allowing them a truly flexible schedule.
Decide which jobs can be done remotely
Going fully remote may not be for all companies. When hiring remote teams, choose which jobs you will assign to remote or international teams and which you will keep in-house. By doing so, you can save on infrastructure costs.
Training is critical
Hiring a remote team doesn’t end with employee onboarding. Constant training is essential to keep remote teams engaged and align their work with company goals. Host webinars, virtual catch-up calls, and training sessions to help people understand how things work and gain new skills.
Use workplace technology
Use a digital workspace that helps you simplify communication and collaboration. But this alone is not enough. When working remotely, it’s not easy to connect with teammates. Adding a social feature to your workspace can work wonders. Meetups of local teams and chat rooms for social activities are some examples of techniques you can use.
Use good web conferencing software, especially if you hold many meetings. There are even virtual reality conferencing spaces! You can start a conversation, talk face to face, enjoy enhanced audio capabilities, and more.
Finally, scheduling and productivity tracking software can be a game changer for your company. These solutions provide the flexibility and autonomy remote employees need to succeed.
Technology enables robust remote capabilities
Managing remote and international teams can be challenging, to say the least. The right technology can make it much easier, however, simplifying remote management for managers, enhancing the remote worker experience, and increasing engagement and productivity.
About the Author: Dean Mathews
Dean Mathews is the founder and CEO of OnTheClock, an employee time tracking app that helps over 15,000 companies all around the world track time.
Dean has over 20 years of experience designing and developing business apps. He views software development as a form of art. If the artist creates a masterpiece, many people’s lives are touched and changed for the better.
When he is not perfecting time tracking, Dean enjoys expanding his faith, spending time with family and friends, and finding ways to make the world just a little better.
How a Modern People Directory can Bring About a More Productive, Connected, and Transparent Organization
A company, like the human brain, requires effective communication between all its individual parts to reach its full potential. This eBook covers the findings from a survey of more than 1,000 Sift users and reveals how a modern people directory can help organizations improve collaboration & work smarter.
