Remote Offices

Yes, some of us are still working remotely; so here are some tips on how to keep your team engaged and performing!

According to a report from LinkedIn, by 2030, about 80 million employees in the United States and European Union will be fully remote, full-time; that is about a 300% increase since 2019. Remote working skyrocketed in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and since then has been on the rise. It provides companies with access to a diverse global talent pool and reduces their overhead costs. For employees, it increases their job satisfaction as they are given the freedom to work when and how they want.

On the flip side, there are challenges with remote working that companies experience; they include lowered productivity, lowered engagement, poor communication between employees, and difficulty keeping track of performance. However, remote working is here to stay, and companies must adapt to remain competitive and successful.

Here are some tips on what you can implement in your company to increase productivity and engagement while operating remotely:

Productivity

• Set OKRs (objectives and key results) so all team members know the objectives and the approach needed to achieve them
• Organize weekly meetings to review completed tasks and check in on OKRs
• Incorporate project management and time tracking tools such as Toggl Track or Timely
• Incorporate communication and collaboration tools such as Slack or Trello
• Mandate cloud-based file storage
• Review confidentiality and data privacy policy
• Provide equipment (e.g. laptop, phone, mobile WiFi) to ensure work gets done without constraints

Engagement

• Create virtual clubs based on the shared interest of employees e.g. virtual book club
• Have group learning, knowledge sharing or toast-master sessions where people can learn and network
• Celebrate holidays with parties
• Acknowledge birthdays and celebrate with virtual games
• Conduct virtual health and fitness programs
• The first or last Friday of the month should be celebrated
• Conduct quarterly in-person retreats

To have a successful remote organization, it takes conscious effort to motivate productivity, engagement, and communication, and to track performance.