Businesses and employees have been turning to remote work in recent years for various reasons.
Businesses can save money on office space and costs, and it can make it easier for them to find qualified workers in a tight labor market. For employees, working on a remote team means more flexibility in their work schedules and more opportunities to work from home without incurring additional travel expenses.
Running a remote team can be a challenge, but it can also be advantageous. By creating a remote team, you open yourself up to a larger pool of talent, which can be very beneficial.
You will also get work done faster and more efficiently, as communication will not be hindered by distance. However, you will need to put in extra effort to make sure that everyone is on the same page and that communication is clear. You will also need to ensure that everyone is held accountable and that deadlines are met.
This post will give you ideas on managing remote teams and what it entails.
Pros of Running a Remote Team
1. Increased Productivity
The number one benefit of running a remote team is increased productivity. When employees can work from home, they can focus on their work independent of the office environment. This can lead to increased productivity and fewer missed deadlines.
2. Lower Costs
Another benefit of running a remote team is lower costs. By eliminating the need for office space, you can save a lot of money on rent, utilities, and other office expenses. It also makes it easier for you to generate your W-2 form.
3. Greater Flexibility
Employees who work from home have greater flexibility regarding their work schedule. They can work during the best hours for themselves and their family. This can lead to a healthier work-life balance.
4. Increased Morale
Employees who work from home often have higher morale than employees who work in a traditional office setting. This is because they can work in a more comfortable and relaxed environment.
5. Reduced Stress
Employees who work from home often have reduced stress levels. This is because they don’t have to worry about commuting and dealing with office politics. They can also create their own 1099s in the comfort of their home.
6. An Increased Talent Pool
Considered to be a critical step, hiring employees from a broader range of backgrounds allows you to get access to a greater variety of thoughts and perspectives. This can help you develop better ideas and solutions and better understand your customers and markets.
Cons of Running a Remote Team
1. Communication can be difficult
Since team members work remotely and are not in the same physical space, it can be difficult to communicate effectively. As a result, this can lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities. Additionally, working on a remote team can be complicated since everyone is working at their own pace.
2. Building trust can be difficult
Since team members cannot see each other face-to-face, it can be challenging to build trust. This can lead to a lack of cooperation and collaboration.
3. It can be hard to create unity
Managing a remote team can be challenging, especially in developing team synergy. Being unable to gauge team members physically can lead other teams to fall apart and not stay on the same page, hampering team productivity.
4. Higher Chance of Errors
Since team members are working remotely and cannot meet in person, they may not be able to check and track each other’s work as effectively as they would if they were in the same location. This can lead to bad habits, increasing the chances of errors being made.
5. Difficulty in Motivating Team Members
Motivating a remote team is not easy as some members may feel isolated from the rest of the team, and may not be able to see the impact of their work on the overall team goal.
6. Security Issues
More employees working remotely means more people are gaining access to confidential data within your company. Even with data protection, businesses may still be vulnerable to attacks. For example, employees may download personal documents or access their email account from an unsecured device.
Tips for handling remote team members
- Keep team members informed of the project’s progress and how their work is contributing to the overall goal.
- Encourage team members to communicate with one another regularly, both in person and online, to help them feel connected to the team.
- Offer periodic recognition and appreciation for their contributions.
- Provide opportunities for team members to participate in team-building activities, such as virtual “meetups” or online contests/challenges.
Takeaway
While running a remote team can benefit your business’s growth, it can also pose a challenge to maintaining its integrity and team members’ unity.
As more employees are looking for opportunities to work from home, this should be a wake-up call for companies to start planning and assigning remote teams to increase their talent retention and stay more competitive in an increasing diversity of work arrangements.
