How To Effectively Support Your Remote Workers

A remote working environment can be challenging for both employees and employers. Inability to communicate effectively with coworkers can negatively impact a company’s business prospects, slow down processes, and cause project delays.  

To help you out, we’ve listed some of the most effective ways to keep your employees motivated and productive. 

1. Implement the right cybersecurity strategy and organize an employee training

The lack of on-site IT support can put the remote workforce at a significantly higher risk of getting hacked. In fact, statistics show that 20% of organizations experienced a data breach due to remote workers’ mistakes. To successfully tackle this issue, every company should identify pain points, estimate the level of risk they’re exposed to and prepare a cybersecurity plan accordingly. For instance, research showed that most people use weak and common passwords that were remarkably easy to crack. After implementing the proper security measures, it’s also essential to organize regular cybersecurity trainings to educate employees on the most common risks they may face and how to protect themselves. 

2. Set S.M.A.R.T. goals

If you want to avoid staff burnout and ensure your goals are met within a given time frame, consider setting S.M.A.R.T. goals for your employees. S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 

Specific

Every goal you set for your employees has to be as specific as possible. Otherwise, some important information may fall through the cracks, and your employees may not understand the task. 

Measurable

Always quantify your goals. Let your employees know the exact numbers you’re aiming for. For instance, instead of setting a goal as “Make more sales,” try something like “Increase the online store sales by 5%.” 

Achievable

Make a clear distinction between your goals and wishes. Estimate the resources you have at your disposal and the time needed to achieve the goals and set them accordingly.

Relevant

Always have the bigger picture in mind and estimate how your goals contribute to your company’s overall success. 

Time-bound

Each of your goals needs a clear deadline. This can help employees plan their actions and projects, thus reducing stress and increasing employee satisfaction. 

3. Provide the right communication and collaboration tools

Keeping communication flowing can be challenging during remote work. Therefore, employers should provide suitable communication and collaboration tools to allow staff to easily share ideas and collaborate on projects. For instance, Slack is a go-to messaging tool for the workplace that enables you to organize communication in channels, allowing employees to participate only in relevant conversations. Another useful tool for the workplace is Trello, which  manages your projects, sets deadlines, and allows for collaboration with coworkers in the simplest way possible. However, every workplace has a specific set of requirements, and it’s always best to chat with your staff and listen to their ideas and needs when choosing the right communication tools. 

4. Provide needed technology

The best way to assure your data stays protected is by providing your staff with company-issued devices. This is a much safer option since the IT team can pack the computers with necessary software and tools, set up automatic updates, and keep an eye on any cyber threats workers may be exposed to. Using personal devices for business purposes, on the other hand,  can expose company data and leave you open to threats. 

5. Organize regular team-building activities with your employees

Working remotely can easily cause feelings of isolation. To keep spirits up, organize casual team-building meetings where everyone can chat about hobbies, play some board games, and get to know each other in a more relaxed environment. 

Conclusion

Remotely managing a group of people and keeping them motivated can be immensely challenging. The first step in effectively supporting your team is keeping communication lines open. By listening to their needs and concerns, and implementing them into your business strategy, you will ensure optimum performance.