Whilst people couldn’t dream of working remotely 10 years ago, nowadays every other company employs at least one remote worker. Large corporations and enterprises engage entire teams of remote workers, whose presence on office premises is not required. PR managers, HR specialists, copywriters, journalists, photographers, bloggers, accountants are included in the list of professions created or adapted for remote work, a list so extensive it can be endlessly expanded. Let’s instead discuss the appropriate strategies for motivating staff so that remote workers can be cost-effective and productive.
Initially, it appears that motivating remote employees is not the easiest task to tackle, as in most cases, we are dealing with freedom-loving, self-reliant, and somewhat capricious individuals. By using our motivation advice, you will become adept at motivating and managing staff, even if they work thousands of miles away from your office.
First and probably the most important advice: Stay in touch
We live in an era of social networks, Skype conferences, and endless business communication. On one hand, being constantly accessible via social networks and various messengers, or holding Skype calls once a week, can seem challenging or time-consuming. On the other hand, if you are consistently in contact with remote staff members, these workers can ask questions whenever they wish. This helps prevent mistakes that could result in significant financial losses for the company. Don’t spend an excessive number of hours on calls, simply remain online or set up a strict time period during which you will be available for your employees. For instance, arrange a time from 1 PM to 2 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays when you will be able to speak with a particular worker.
Second, though equally important advice: Formulate tasks clearly and precisely
Initially, remote work might seem straightforward: you provide an employee with basic information about your company, explain certain work details, give them a task, and oversee its completion. However, articulating the task clearly and precisely is even more crucial. You shouldn’t assume that a remote worker who doesn’t understand their instructions will ask numerous follow-up questions. Most employees don’t trouble themselves with this and proceed with work based on their own understanding. Not all employees wish to redo their work if you are unsatisfied with the execution of a task. Therefore, managing remote employees should involve assigning crystal clear and precise tasks. This will enable the establishment of a fruitful and long-term partnership. By explaining everything clearly from the start, you won’t have to lose valuable time and money due to mistakes.
Third equally important advice: Distribute bonuses
Financial motivation is classic, but unfortunately, there is no avoiding this old yet proven idea for motivating staff. Everyone enjoys getting paid, and they prefer bonuses even more. If you observe that an employee performs their duties on time, takes the initiative, and is polite, hardworking, and occasionally works overtime, don’t be stingy and establish a system of small bonuses or dispense larger sums of money quarterly or bi-annually. This way, workers will be more interested in their work and will carry it out both promptly and happily.
Fourth advice: Unique gifts
This method is suitable only for employers who are fanatically and genuinely in love with their business and value every person involved in it. When you have known a remote employee for years and they perform their work diligently, they deserve to be treated with respect and even friendliness. That’s why you can enhance worker motivation with unique, interesting gifts. For example, if you know an employee well and that they are an avid hockey fan, you can purchase hockey match tickets for their birthday or as a gift at the end of a quarter. When there is a married woman working in your company who dedicates too much time to your projects, give her two movie or theatre tickets, so that she could enjoy a lovely evening with her husband. Whilst remote employees are distant, they remain a vital part of your team and should not be treated with prejudice nor should they be encouraged any less than regular office workers.
Fifth vital advice: Trust
An experienced CEO certainly needs to be involved in managing remote employees and keeping a watchful eye on proceedings, but shouldn’t overlook trust. Naturally, if you have never employed remote staff before, you may find it difficult to adapt to certain aspects of this process and to learn to trust workers and grant them autonomy. Whilst managing remote employees, you cannot track every move they make, how much time they waste behind their PCs, how many times they visit the kitchen, or distract themselves with phone calls, you still need to learn to trust them. When hiring an employee for remote work, you have to ascertain how responsible, single-minded, qualified, and able to prioritise correctly the person is. Experienced top managers will easily identify a slacker or add a hard-working expert to their team.
Sixth advice: Set deadlines
When assigning a task to an employee, it is crucial to set a deadline and inform them about the repercussions of failing to meet the deadlines. Should you fail to set deadlines, a worker will begin getting lazier and pursue his own interests instead of attending to the tasks at hand. As a result, the work will be done at the last minute and rather carelessly.
Seventh advice: Positive attitude
Unfortunately, it’s rather difficult to find a job where you will be appreciated, respected, and your opinion valued. That is why today a positive attitude towards employees is invaluable. Many people switch from office work to remote work because they are tired of shameless exploitation from their employers and the bickering workforce that feels more like a nest of vipers. CEOs who employ a workforce of remote workers need to strive to treat them with respect. Ask them how their day was, if everything is okay with their families, and what type of weather their countries and cities are experiencing. It is important not to make these conversations intrusive or overly familiar.
Friends, we hope that you find these tips useful for working with remote employees and that they will help you build long-lasting and productive relationships with them. Remember that you are responsible for how well the working process is organised in your company. Only the most experienced, talented, single-minded, and forward-thinking employers will elevate their businesses to the top.
