How to Build a Remote Team That Wins

The demand for workplace flexibility is steadily rising by the year, and more and more companies are going the route of remote teams. Technology has made it possible to run a team of workers in different time zones, and there are processes that each business can put in place to help keep a remote team happy and productive. If your business is in need of more workers, assembling a remote team could be the best way forward. Here are some tips for making sure you build a team that wins:

Communicate, communicate, communicate.

It can’t be said enough: Communication is one of the most important aspects of any business, but when you have a remote team, it becomes even more critical. Therefore, your first priority should be to foster effective communication among your team members on a regular basis. Figure out what communication channels you want to use in the company, and stick to those channels consistently. For instance, a lot of companies use email to make announcements or notify team members of important changes, video conferencing software to conduct meetings, and phone calls for one-on-one conversations. Whatever channels and software you decide to use for specific tasks, just make sure it’s consistent.

Having the right communication tools is half the battle. In fact, you can’t have team cohesion or be productive without certain tools. Here are a few general necessities for remote teams:

● Video conferencing software (e.g., Skype, Zoom, GoToMeeting, Lifesize, etc.)
● Collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Google Hangouts, Fleep, Workzone, etc.)
● Documentation tools (e.g., Google Drive, Microsoft Office 365, etc.)
● Project management software (e.g., Trello, Wrike, Basecamp, etc.)

It’s also important to consider that healthy teams talk about other things besides work. You can still have water cooler chats when your team consists of workers in different parts of the world. Signing everyone up for an instant messaging app is a great way to keep team members connected and build relationships.

Transcribe call notes.

Making sure your entire team stays informed on team calls and projects should also be a top priority. The most effective way to achieve this is by having call notes transcribed and distributed to the workers who need them. The good news is that you don’t have to hire someone to do the transcriptions; an automated speech-to-text service can transcribe call notes in minutes. If you find the right service, it’s budget-friendly as well: some offer transcriptions at just 10 cents per minute of audio.

Value each worker’s development.

Along with communicating and keeping everyone on the same page, it’s essential that you show each team member that you value them. A good way to prove this is by periodically offering free training or continuing education—meaning either you train them or pay for them to learn somewhere else. This not only shows your workers that you appreciate having them on the team, it also shows them that you want them to reach their potential as an individual.

Consider a Coworking Space.

Finally, even if you have a remote team, you can bring the local team members together in one place to work.

Coworking Spaces, like those offered by WorkLodge, provide large areas for small teams to collaborate. If you’re looking to increase productivity and work in a comfortable space for a fraction of the cost of renting an office, WorkLodge is the way to go.

Be sure to pull out all the stops when it comes to fostering consistent and healthy communication among team members, and integrate all the necessary tools and software into your operations. Also, consider hiring a transcription service, look into ways you can offer free training to your workers, and think about renting a coworking space for your local team members. Building an effective remote team can help your business go to levels you may have never imagined.