Working remotely has become increasingly common in recent years, as digital technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected with colleagues and clients without having to be in the same physical space. However, managing remote staff can present unique challenges. One of the most common is making sure everyone is doing their jobs properly. Let’s look at how you can ensure that your staff are working productively when they’re not in front of you.
Establish Clear Expectations
The key to successful remote work is clear communication. Before employees start working remotely, make sure that everyone knows exactly what is expected of them—not only what tasks need to be completed, but also when they should be done by, how much time should be devoted to each task, and who needs to be informed when a task is finished or if there are any issues. This will help ensure that everyone remains on the same page.
Create Trackable Goals
When setting goals for your remote staff, create ones that can easily be tracked or measured. For example, if your goal is for them to increase sales revenue by 10%, track the progress regularly so that you know whether or not they’re meeting their goals. That way, if an employee isn’t meeting expectations, you can take action quickly and provide support where needed. And if an employee is exceeding expectations, you can reward them appropriately and set even higher goals for them next time around.
Set Regular Check-Ins
Regular check-ins between managers and their remote staff are essential for ensuring productivity and maintaining morale. Make sure you schedule regular meetings with each employee so that you can go over any questions or issues they might have regarding their work or tasks assigned to them from others on the team. During these meetings, keep track of how long it took each employee to complete a task so that you have an idea of how effective each one’s work process is overall.
Working remotely presents its own unique set of challenges—but with the right strategies in place, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming! By setting clear expectations upfront and creating trackable goals for your employees while also scheduling regular check-ins with them throughout their remote work period, you will have peace of mind knowing that your staff are doing their jobs effectively—even when they’re not right in front of you!
Donna Harris holds a BSci in Accounting, an MBA, and is the owner of Bookkeeping Made Simple.
Donna Harris
Owner
Donna Harris, BSci Accounting, MBA, founded Bookkeeping Made Simple with the understanding that small businesses is the heart of the American economy. After offering to do books for a friend who said he didn't have enough work to keep someone in the office 20 hours a week, she recognized the need for an efficient, online system. She has 20 years of bookkeeping and accounting experience and is excited to help small business owners achieve their goals. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling whenever possible. She also loves reading, hiking, camping, cooking, yoga, and fitness. A huge believer in lifelong education, she is currently working on her master's in Accounting.