Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, remote work has become increasingly popular.
At Envol, we’ve embraced the shift wholeheartedly as a remote-first team! We love the flexibility that comes with remote work, as it allows our team to balance their professional and personal lives more effectively. Some of the benefits we enjoy include increased productivity, reduced commute times, and the ability to hire top talent from across Canada!
But if you aren’t familiar with managing a remote team, it can be tricky!
Have you ever wondered how to keep your remote team motivated and engaged? Or how to ensure that everyone is on the same page, even when you’re provinces apart?
In this blog post, we’ll share our top 5 tips for managing a remote team successfully.
1. Utilize Project Management Tools
Effective management of a remote team relies on project management tools that streamline communication and organization. At Envol, we use the following systems:
- Harvest (Time Tracking)
- A time-tracking tool that allows team members to log hours and monitor project expenses, helping the team assess productivity and resource allocation of billable client hours.
- Slack (Communication Tool)
- A communication platform that facilitates real-time collaboration through channels, direct messaging, and file sharing, keeping team discussions organized and accessible.
- Ooma (Phone Communication)
- A voice communication solution that provides features like virtual phone numbers and video conferencing, ensuring clear and professional communication with clients and team members.
By leveraging these tools, we enhance collaboration, organization, and engagement within our remote team, making it way easier to stay aligned and productive!
2. Promote Work-Life Balance
- Set boundaries. Remind team members to define their work hours and stick to them to avoid burnout.
- Encourage reasonable breaks. Sitting at a desk for 8 hours is HARD! Promote regular breaks throughout the day for your team to recharge and clear their minds. For example, encourage team members to take a 5-10-minute break every hour to stretch or take a short walk.
- If possible, offer flexible hours. Flexibility in work hours allows team members to manage personal commitments, such as childcare or health appointments, without feeling too much pressure.
3. Invest in Team Building Activities
Plan virtual team-building activities to foster relationships and strengthen team dynamics. Fun activities, such as online games or virtual coffee breaks, can help create a sense of camaraderie among team members! Here are some quick ideas that we love:
- Coffee chats. We hold informal coffee chats to catch up and touch base on all the things! These casual conversations help strengthen our connections and keep communication lines open.
- Team building activities. We love our monthly socials at Envol! Most recently, we organized a spooky virtual murder mystery-solving activity, where team members collaborated to solve a fictional crime. This fun and engaging experience not only entertained us but also took our teamwork and problem-solving skills to a whole new level!
4. Encourage Continuous Learning
Support your team’s professional development by providing access to online courses, webinars, or workshops. Encouraging continuous learning helps employees feel valued and invested in their growth.
At Envol, we foster a culture of collaboration where team members are encouraged to share new strategies and bounce ideas off each other. We are always willing to meet to strategize and collaborate on new ideas, providing different perspectives on tasks or assignments that may be challenging. This support system ensures that everyone feels valued and empowered to grow in their roles!
5. Celebrate Achievements
Recognizing and celebrating our team’s wins is essential for maintaining morale. Here’s what we suggest:
- Recognition programs. Implement a recognition program where team members can nominate their peers for exceptional work, leading to shout-outs during team meetings.
- For instance, each week, we take the time to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of our team members! This weekly shout-out not only highlights individual achievements but also fosters a sense of community and motivation within the team.
- Celebration events. Organize virtual events to celebrate major milestones, such as project completions or personal achievements, fostering a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.
- At Envol, we believe in celebrating our team members’ milestones, including birthdays and work anniversaries, as a way to foster a positive and inclusive work culture.
- We actively seek out creative ways to recognize and appreciate our staff for their hard work and dedication!
Managing a remote team successfully involves using effective tools for communication and organization, promoting work-life balance, fostering team building, encouraging continuous learning, and celebrating achievements! At Envol, these strategies have helped us create a collaborative and motivated remote team. Try implementing these tips to keep your team engaged, connected, and productive in a remote work environment!
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