For years, more and more companies have been taking advantage of technology to transition some or all of their tasks and projects to a distributed team.
With social distancing guidelines and other consequences of the pandemic impacting businesses of all shapes and sizes, that trend is rising even more rapidly than before.
The benefits are many, both for the short term and long term. Nonetheless, when it comes to hiring and managing remote workers, it’s important to approach it the right way while using the right tools.
From learning the advantages of running a remote team to staying up to date on tools and tech reviews from Productivity Land , here is some information to consider if you’re thinking about building a team of remote workers:
Why Hire Remote Workers?
Remote work comes with many benefits for companies and employees. Perhaps the most significant advantage for your company is that it would allow you to save money on overhead , including office space, utilities, and other costs.
Also, you have a much larger pool of talent to explore when you’re hiring remote workers because there are no geographical boundaries.
And when employees are able to work from anywhere, they’re more likely to work productively and stay with your company for the long haul.
When it comes to an employee’s perspective, working remotely can benefit their work-life balance because they have no commute to worry about.
This means they will save money on daily costs like gas, vehicle maintenance, and dining out. It also means they can use the time they would normally use for their daily commute on doing activities with family, practicing self-care, and doing other things that improve their overall health and well-being.
How to Hire Remote Workers?
As much as building a distributed team can help your business, it will only benefit you if you hire the right workers.
In fact, hiring the wrong workers can significantly harm your business. Never hire someone without meeting them face-to-face; rather than relying solely on emails and phone calls, schedule at least one virtual interview with each candidate. This will help you get a better sense of how they can contribute to the success and culture of your company.
Additionally, you will want to ask each candidate questions that will help uncover their personality, problem-solving skills, organizational skills, career passions, and other qualities.
Of course, you will want to ensure that each candidate possesses the skills (or at least potential) necessary to fill the position-in-question successfully. Assigning a skills-related test or trial project are some simple ways to accomplish this.
Managing Remote Workers
Along with hiring the right people, it’s essential that you manage your team effectively. A good place to start is by making feedback a priority.
The best way to cultivate constructive feedback within your organization is to meet one-on-one with each of your team members on a regular basis. If you work with a larger team, then at least meet with those who are directly under you.
It’s also important to stay on top of your project management activities .
Be strategic about the roles you assign workers for each project so that your company can establish a tradition of effective planning, executing, and controlling projects. And make sure you have all the necessary tools in place for productive communication and collaboration, such as communication apps and project management software .
Keep in mind that your remote staff can only provide quality work if they have the right tools and technology. During the hiring process, confirm that candidates have reliable internet, a working computer, a webcam, and any other necessary devices to help them do the job.
Of course, many companies choose to supply tech to new or current employees.
If this is how your business operates, notify applicants of the operating system you expect staff to use and determine if you need to offer extra coverage and defense for cybersecurity purposes; remember to also explain the expected remote software tools staff should be able to navigate.
When buying a computer for new employees, particularly if you’re not buying in bulk, it’s crucial to find a great computer that doesn’t come with a hefty price tag. Clearance and sales offer on desktop computers are easy to dig up, and many sites even provide discounts for small businesses.
Building a team of remote workers (or transitioning your current team) could be a decision that significantly benefits your business. Keep in mind the tips and information above as you hire and manage your distributed team. That way, you can put everyone involved with your company in the best position to succeed.
Do you want to stay up to date on top project management tools and best practices? Look no further than Productivity Land !
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