remote teams

How to Collaborate in Remote Teams: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The idea of remote teams is not new. In fact, it has been around for a long time. But in the past few years, more and more companies are beginning to prefer remote teams. It is not just about saving money on office space or labor costs, some remote-working companies do still have offices. 

Companies are able to hire more people without having to worry about the lack of space or office space. Remote teams allow employers to hire people with different skillsets, which can be beneficial for the company. The biggest challenge is that employees may not have the same sense of community as they would in an office setting.

The most important thing to remember when managing a remote team is that you need to be able to communicate effectively. Frequent communication and regular check-ins are essential for successful remote team management. This will allow everyone in the team to know what is going on, what needs doing, and how their work fits into the broader picture.

Throughout our experience within the industry, we have gathered some valuable tips and recommendations on building, maintaining, and collaborating in remote teams that prove to be successful again and again. We will talk about the collaboration techniques, possibilities, and challenges in this article below. 

remote teams

How do enhance collaboration within a remote team?

There are many benefits to managing a remote team. It can help you create a more diverse and inclusive environment, increase productivity, and reduce overhead costs. But the most important thing to remember when managing a remote team is that you need to be able to communicate effectively.

Frequent communication and regular check-ins are essential for successful remote team management. This will allow everyone in the team to know what is going on, what needs doing, and how their work fits into the broader picture.

It is also important for managers of remote teams to keep in touch with the team’s day-to-day activities so that they can provide guidance and feedback with any issues that arise.

Here are some tips for managing a remote team: 

  • Establish clear expectations 
  • Communicate often 
  • Create a shared workspace 
  • Regularly check in with employees

Establishing expectations

In order to make sure you’re meeting your remote team’s expectations, it’s important to understand their needs and establish boundaries from the beginning of your relationship with them. 

If you want them to be productive and engaged, you need to create an environment where they feel comfortable asking for help or feedback without feeling like they’re being judged or micromanaged.

Ideally, remote employees will have a small project or task assigned to them each day. This can help them feel like they are contributing in a meaningful way and is a move towards outsourcing work instead of micromanaging your team’s time.

One of the most essential ways of establishing expectations within a remote team is by being transparent about who will be responsible for what.

For example, if someone needs to be in charge of setting up meetings and communicating via video chat, then management should make it clear that this person is the one to distribute the roles of the meeting among the team members, set meeting goals (or make sure to follow them), and arrange the most suitable time slot for the call.

This will ensure that everyone knows what is expected of them and will make it easier for everyone to work together.

remote teams

Communication in remote teams

Working remotely is not the same as working in person. Communication is more difficult, and there are many things that can go wrong when using remote services. For example, there’s a greater potential for miscommunication because people don’t have the same context.

Communicating with a remote team can be a challenge. But it’s important to find ways to make it work. It is not just about talking to each other. It’s about understanding the needs of your teammates and being able to meet them in a timely manner.

Here are some practical tips on how to boost your communication efficiency within any remote team:

  • Make sure to use video calls or chat apps when you can’t be in person
  • Share files quickly and easily with Google Drive or Dropbox
  • Use instant communication platforms like Slack, Discord, 
  • Don’t forget about informal communication and casual talks (Discord channels like #meme, #random are the best choice)
  • Always take time to answer questions
  • Keep the guidelines online available at any time (company rules, holidays, policies)
  • Make sure to give feedback and share your thoughts
  • Keep communication lines open
remote teams

Creating a shared workspace

A shared workspace is a place where people can come together, work, and collaborate. It’s an important aspect of the remote team culture.

There are many benefits to having a shared workspace in a remote team. One of them is that it helps the team stay connected and maintain an active connection with one another. The other benefit is that it gives everyone on the team a sense of belonging. This in turn increases productivity levels and creates a positive work environment.

It also provides an opportunity for people to get to know each other better and develop relationships outside of their day-to-day interactions. Lastly, it initiates more creative thinking and brainstorming because people are constantly interacting with one another, sharing ideas, and bouncing thoughts off one another which leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. 

There are different ways to go about setting up a shared workspace. You can use desktop sharing software, or you can use a cloud-based virtual meeting room. You’ll also need to decide how you want your team members to access the shared space. If you don’t want them to have access to other devices and programs, then you should only allow them access through their computer browsers.

Tips for creating a shared workspace:

  • Use video chat software to keep up with your teammates’ progress
  • Create an office space at home with all the necessary equipment
  • Share office documents and spreadsheets on Google Drive or Dropbox
  • Find ways to make the workplace feel like it’s not just about work but about life

Monitoring and check-ins in remote teams

The importance of remote work has been on the rise in recent years. The most common reason for this is globalization – a lot of industries are now globalized and have offices all over the world. This requires managers to closely monitor their employees, even if they are not physically in the same office space together.

There are many tools available for managers to use for monitoring their remote teams and keeping track of what is going on with them. One such tool is a project management software like Asana, ClickUp, or Trello. These tools allow you to assign tasks and monitor what your team is working on at any given time.

Monitoring a remote team is not an easy task. But it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think. Here are some tips for better remote team management that will make your life easier and your employees happier. 

  1. Keep track of time zones and schedules 
  2. Communicate often with video conferencing or phone calls 
  3. Set up clear expectations about what is expected from the employee and what they can expect from you
  4. Be flexible
  5. Have a clear structure
  6. Allow for regular breaks and remote workdays 
  7. Focus on productivity and results

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