12 Top Tips for Managing Remote Teams
How do I manage a remote Team?
How do you manage remote or virtual teams when they are scattered in different geographic locations which make regular physical contact nigh impossible?
The march of technology has changed our world. We have instant access to almost everything. There have never been so many channels open to us to keep in touch and exchange information. Smart phones, email, social networks, personal computers, smart phones and
Tele-conferencing enables people to work together whilst not sharing the same geographical location. Managing remote employees is becoming more the norm than the exception.
Managing remote teams is similar to managing regular teams
Managing remote teams is similar to managing regular teams, but requires greater emphasis on building trust, fostering communication, implementing team processes and using technology.
90% of your problems will be people related.
Start by working with your team to create a team plan – the team plan might take this form:
1. Set up your communication plan
Outline what needs to be communicated, how it will be communicated, who needs this information, when do they need it and what happens if communication breaks down
2. Outline the decision making process
How, as a group, will you make decisions: what is your back up plan to make a decision: what escalation path have you set when a decision cannot be made if your prime decision maker is either unavailable or unable to decide.
3. Determine your conflict resolution strategy
How will you deal with conflict and what are your rules for avoiding them.
4. Distribute goals, roles and responsibilities
Set out the goals, then communicate who does what, including their specific responsibilities.
5. Ensure fair work distribution
This some times need to be adjusted as time goes along and work changes.
6. Decide your leadership level
What will your leadership be? It needs to be appropriate both to your team and its individuals.
7. Face to face
If at all possible have face to face meetings, especially vital if a new team or a team with new team members. Face to face connections help build trust quickly. If your budget permits travel to a central location, or at the very least, use video conferencing or teleconferencing.
8. Can’t meet face to face
Then try distributing photos of team members on a communication list, or attached to their chat identity so that team members will be able to relate to each other personally.
9. Socialise
Encourage social interactions between remote teams
10. Virtual meetings
Test video conferencing equipment thoroughly before each and every meeting. At any virtual meeting, have someone make introductions at the beginning of meeting and include what their responsibilities to the team are. Make sure everyone participates, otherwise, silence will be taken as agreement.
11. Personal communication
Encourage personal communication whenever possible such as face to face or over the telephone, as long as it does not interfere with the work being done – technology tends to be very impersonal and can easily lead to misunderstandings.
12. Updating
Keep your information tight, such as up to date mailing lists, to keep everyone informed of current questions, answers, and general progress
For more detailed information about these ideas and how to build high performing teams contact us at www.teamskills.co.uk or telephone Conrad or Suzanne Potts on +44 (0)1903 778977
In the next article we’ll look at 8 ways to motivate and inspire virtual teams.
