Many business owners were forced to adopt the concept of working remotely to survive the coronavirus crisis. Some have succeeded in adjusting the way they do business by prioritizing flexibility above all else and including digital tools into their everyday operations to make the transition to home offices as painless as possible.
Make sure your team stays motivated
However, many are finding it difficult to accept the new norm as they seem unable to remain focused while simultaneously working on the latest business proposal and taking care of their children. Although working from home saves you from having to leave your warm bed in a hurry to beat the rush hour, it’s not without its challenges. As an employer, you’ll need to make sure your team stays motivated and productive. Here are seven tips that can help guide you in the right direction:
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Show Empathy
Naturally, your employees are concerned about their future in these uncertain times, and it’s your job as a leader to show understanding and empathy. Remember that most of the people working for you have families they have to provide for and, with so many companies laying off their workforces, their anxiety shouldn’t come as a surprise. Give them time to adapt and let them know you’re there for them.
Have regular check-ins
Staying in touch with your remote workers is a great way to boost their motivation and make them feel like they haven’t left the office. Establish a daily routine, such as a short fifteen-minute video chat in the morning that you can use to drink your first coffee together and share the latest news.
Communicate, communicate
Having open channels of communication is vital for your distributed teams. In a time when in-person meetings are next to impossible, it’s necessary to use various digital tools to ensure flawless online communication. If your remote team is unable to interact, the business has no chance of succeeding. Provide your workers with collaborative platforms that will help keep everyone informed and up to date on the task at hand.
Encourage small breaks
Instead of expecting your team to sit for hours in front of the screen, you should remind them to take regular breaks away from the keyboard. Even if it’s a short coffee break, your employees will avoid feeling fatigued and on edge. You can also make it a group break by having all of your team members participate in some stretching exercises. By doing this, you’re not only promoting healthy habits but building a strong sense of community. Just put on an upbeat tune and stretch away!
Ask for ideas
Even the leader fails to find a solution to an issue at times, especially in a raging pandemic. When this happens, it gives you an opportunity to solicit ideas from your employees, and include them in the process. It’s a win-win situation for both parties—your workers feel appreciated and you get to hear some brilliant insights.
Reward your team
The power of positive feedback is often underestimated, but applauding your workers for their efforts will positively affect their self-image and inspire them to be more productive. You should be thorough in your praise and explain how the company benefited from the person’s work. Also, include some monthly rewards for your best-performing employee. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a salary bonus; you could also give them a gift card or treat them to a nice dinner at the local restaurant.
Remember to have fun
Increasing revenue and achieving company goals should be your priority, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun along the way. Choose one day and make it themed. For example, Trivia Friday, when you test each other’s knowledge on the latest TV shows or whatever interests you most. Decide on it as a group and include some virtual games in your business week.