Three Tips to Set Remote Workers up for Success

Are you looking to add team members to your virtual company? Many of us work remotely. Not everyone likes to work remotely.
In a previous discussion, we discussed how to keep your profile high while working remotely. Let’s now talk about how to set up your remote team members for success.
These guidelines will help you build a team that is successful. Some people prefer to work in an office while others are more comfortable working remotely.
1) Choose self-motivated and disciplined team members. Before you put someone in a position where they can work remotely, make sure they are self-motivated and disciplined. Working remotely presents new distractions. Particularly for workers in a home office. You can surf the internet, make phone calls, and watch television. There are also errands to run. An unorganized worker can easily become disoriented. If you have the chance, ask your team member to start at the office. Check out how they do with specific assignments. Give them due dates and give them autonomy. It is possible that they will have difficulties working remotely if they have difficulty meeting their office goals. However, this does not mean that you can ignore your team members working remotely. No. However, remote workers are less likely than those who work in the office to reach out to them. You want to ensure that you check in with everyone regularly and schedule regular one-on-one meetings and touch base sessions. You don’t want to be someone’s alarm clock or have to remind them of their responsibilities.
2) Build connections. Build relationships between team members who work remotely and those who are in the office. Connection is key to the success of virtual teams. Team members must feel connected to their work, to you, and to each other. Even remote team members need to feel connected. Establish working partnerships or small groups with team members who work in the office as well as remote team members. Every remote worker should have someone to call for information or updates other than you. If the contact is away for extended periods of times or on vacation, make sure there is another person to call. It is possible to create small work groups. Team members who work in the office should be allowed to make time to act as the in-office liaison for remote workers. While some relationships will naturally develop, it is important to provide the right environment for them to flourish.
3) Establish realistic and consistent expectations – This is a common argument from remote workers. They want to ensure that you are aware that they are producing and not slacking. This sounds great, doesn’t it? What can you lose? You lose if your remote worker feels burnt out or that his or her efforts are not being appreciated. It doesn’t mean that remote workers should have to commute. You should set clear goals and deadlines for your team members. Make sure they are reasonable and the same goals and deadlines that you have for remote team members. If you suspect that a remote team member is working too hard, you can encourage them to slow down and remind them that you don’t expect them to work for them.