Remote work is here to stay

Here’s how to manage your staff from afar

Here are MarkMeets, our team has been working remote for more than 20 months with monthly meet-up’s besides attending press events across London and LA.

Over the last two and a half years, remote and hybrid working has become the norm — a majority of employed Americans have the option of working from home for all or part of the week, and 87% of workers who were offered remote work embraced the opportunity heartily.

While some companies are pushing for a return to the office, today’s strapped labor market is giving employees more power to push back for remote, or at least flexible, jobs. This isn’t just a pandemic response anymore — it’s a way of life, and it has the potential to make some businesses better. People who work from home have been reporting an uptick in their productivity levels without the distractions that come with an office — Oh, it’s Jon’s birthday. Cupcakes in the kitchen! 

Luckily, some seriously smart people have thought hard about how to address these challenges and make it work. We put a few of them onstage last week at Tech Crunch Disrupt, and while you can watch the whole video, here are some of their best insights.

Remote Work Solutions with a Focus on Hiring Excellence

the transition towards remote work has become a defining aspect for businesses aiming to harness the benefits of a flexible and decentralized workforce. Amidst this transformative shift, the pursuit of effective remote talent acquisition has emerged as a strategic necessity. For businesses seeking a way to hire remote employees seamlessly, the collaboration with a specialized recruitment agency is essential to achieveing success in recuruiting the best. This approach offers a nuanced understanding of the remote work milieu, steering businesses through the intricacies of virtual talent identification and recruitment. Beyond the conventional practices, this section delves into the distinctive advantages of remote work, highlighting how a strategic partnership with a recruitment agency can unlock a wealth of opportunities in accessing top-tier professionals. Let’s explore the strategies that go beyond the ordinary, ensuring that your remote hiring practices align with the unique demands of current work dynamic.

Strategies for Effective Communication in a Remote Environment

Clear and effective communication is vital for the success of remote teams. Without face-to-face interactions, it becomes even more crucial to establish effective channels and practices for communication. Here are some strategies to enhance communication in a remote working environment:

1. Utilize Communication Tools: Invest in reliable communication tools that facilitate seamless and efficient communication among team members. Platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom provide features such as instant messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing, enabling real-time collaboration and communication.
2. Regular Check-Ins: Implement regular check-ins with team members to stay updated on their progress, address any concerns or challenges, and provide feedback. These check-ins can be done through one-on-one meetings or team meetings to ensure everyone is on the same page.
3. Transparent Documentation: Encourage the use of shared documents and project management tools to maintain transparency and clarity in remote team workflows. By documenting tasks, deadlines, and progress, team members can easily track their responsibilities and collaborate effectively.
4. Establish Communication Norms: Establish clear guidelines for communication within the team, such as response times for emails and messages, preferred communication channels for different types of inquiries, and appropriate etiquettes for virtual meetings. These norms ensure that everyone is aware of expectations and can effectively communicate with one another.

Maintaining Work-Life Balance in a Remote Setup

One of the challenges of remote work is the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life. Without the physical separation provided by a traditional office environment, it can be challenging for remote workers to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Employers can support their remote employees by promoting strategies for achieving work-life balance:

1. Set Clear Boundaries: Encourage remote employees to establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. This includes defining dedicated workspaces, establishing specific working hours, and creating routines that allow for breaks and time spent on personal activities.
2. Encourage Regular Breaks: Remind remote workers of the importance of taking regular breaks to rest and recharge. Encourage them to step away from their workstations, stretch, and engage in activities that promote relaxation and well-being.
3. Promote Self-Care: Emphasize the importance of self-care and mental health. Encourage remote employees to prioritize activities such as exercise, hobbies, and spending quality time with loved ones. Providing resources such as access to wellness programs or counseling services can further support their well-being.
4. Lead by Example: Employers should lead by example and demonstrate the importance of work-life balance. Encourage managers and leaders to respect boundaries and avoid sending work-related messages outside of working hours unless it’s an urgent matter. This helps create a culture that values and supports work-life balance.

Be hyper-intentional when coming together IRL

Two and a half years into the pandemic, people are “actually clamoring to spend more time together,” said Adriana Roche, chief people officer at Mural, during a panel discussion at Disrupt.

Ironically, one of the main solutions to the woes of remote work is finding ways to bring staff together IRL. That might mean a couple of times per week in the office if everyone lives in the same city, but if the team is fully remote, companies have to be more intentional with how they plan monthly or quarterly off-sites.

In addition to being intentional about in-person gatherings, companies can foster a sense of camaraderie and connection among remote teams through well-planned team-building activities. Remote work doesn’t have to be isolating if efforts are made to create opportunities for team members to interact and bond.

1. Virtual Team-Building Exercises: Organizing virtual team-building activities can help bridge the gap between remote team members. These activities can range from icebreaker games and trivia quizzes to virtual escape rooms and online multiplayer games. By engaging in these activities, employees can build relationships, boost morale, and enhance communication and collaboration skills.
2. Collaborative Projects: Encouraging remote team members to collaborate on projects not only strengthens their relationships but also enhances their problem-solving and teamwork abilities. By assigning tasks that require multiple team members to work together and contribute their unique skills and perspectives, companies can create a collaborative work environment even in a remote setting.
3. Shared Experiences: Creating opportunities for shared experiences can help foster a sense of unity among remote teams. For example, organizing virtual coffee breaks or happy hours where team members can engage in casual conversations and get to know each other on a personal level can go a long way in building strong relationships. Companies can also consider sending care packages or personalized gifts to their remote employees to make them feel valued and appreciated.

But both employers and employees have reported some downsides to remote work. Isolation can make people feel lonely and disconnected, leading to mental health issues. Learning and collaboration have taken a hit without the human element of being in the same room. And it can be difficult to create and maintain a company culture remotely.

Conclusion

Remote work has transformed from a temporary solution to a long-term reality for many employees. While it offers benefits such as increased productivity and flexibility, it also presents unique challenges. By being intentional about in-person interactions, implementing team-building activities, fostering effective communication, and supporting work-life balance, companies can successfully manage their remote teams and create a positive and productive remote working environment. Embracing the opportunities presented by remote work can lead to happier employees, stronger team dynamics, and ultimately, better business outcomes.