So how do you create a remote-first company that runs like clockwork? Check out these tips, tricks, and tech for success.
Post-COVID-19, everyone is trying to go remote. Nobody thought employees working inside cubicles could get their devices and work from anywhere in the world. One month turned into two, then months turned into a year, and now remote working is the new norm. If you, as a company owner, are trying to go remote and be successful at it, this article is perfect for you. Without further ado, let’s get straight to the tips and tricks that will make you successful.
Know and Define Your Company Culture
The most important thing while creating a remote-first company is your vision and the company’s culture. You have to get this right. Establish your core values as a company and use them as a guide for the rest of your business decisions. You can begin with a survey and ask your existing employees which parts of the office culture they value the most and would like to incorporate into their remote working situation. You don’t have to have all the answers but having a good, solid baseline is very important.
Cultivate Effective Communication
The most important element of effective remote working is reliable communication. I am sure you have had your fair share of zoom conferences and google meet hours during the COVID-19 phase, but you need to make it highly effective. One common mistake remote-first companies make is over-communication. Don’t overdo it, figure out a way that will be most effective for your team. It sometimes means establishing:
- Communication channels: Figure out what will be conveyed via email, what will be communicated with slack, and when to schedule an actual meeting.
- Frequency: The frequency of meetings needs special attention too. The key is to avoid over-communication. Figure out the frequency of company-wide, team, and one-on-one meetings, and stick with the schedule.
- Stakeholders: Be very clear on the responsibilities, accountability, supporting, and consultation roles. Everyone should know and be clear on who they need to reach out to in case of different queries.
Setting proper guidelines for communication will alleviate remote-first company work while preventing Zoom fatigue.
Set the Right Expectations to Measure Success Remotely
Remote management makes the success measurement very difficult and confusing. That is where the culture of your company comes into play. Some companies require employees to be present on their computers from 9 to 5. Others are more flexible and want employees to complete their tasks and report accordingly.
These both measures can be quite effective in measuring your employee’s performance and success based on what you are trying to achieve. Generally, we recommend tracking the results based on tasks instead of the time employees spend on their computers. Trust us, you will get a much more happy workforce and probably better results.
Help Build and Create Productive Workspaces
The money that you can save by letting go of your physical office space can be redirected to comfort your employees. You can lot a stipend to your employees to equip their homes with things like:
- Desks;
- Chairs;
- Office supplies;
- Computer monitors;
- Or even rent a coworking space.
You don’t always have to save the extra money. Redirecting it to the betterment of the employees will boost their productivity and happiness levels and indeed work in the best interest of your business.
Consider Recruiting Non-Local Employees
Now that your office isn’t going to be limited to a physical space, it is time to expand your talent pool. You have the option to choose candidates from all around the world. Why restrict yourself to a limited pool of candidates when you can have the best talent available regardless of the geographical location? You will also be able to get a fresh perspective and truly hire the best people for the intended job.
Modify Your Employee Onboarding Process
Now that you plan to run your office with permanently remote employees, it is also time to redefine your hiring processes. You need to learn and devise an effective process when you plan to hire people remotely. It could mean devising a way to interview people over zoom calls, creating custom test tasks for each post, and sending contracts via email.
Find Creative Ways to Connect
With conventional offices, there are multiple ways to connect for fun. Think holiday parties, farewell, coffee, and lunch hours. You have to create something similar for your remote employees as well. You all can have a Mukbang of sorts where all of you can sit in front of the computer with your lunches and talk your hearts out. You can also do virtual dance parties once a week. Some companies even get super creative and have workout classes where the entire office joins in from their respective homes and do a fun-filled cardio workout.
Plan for Urgent Communication
Sometimes, someone from your team or you would need to communicate urgently with the team members. You have to figure out a way to make urgent communications happen. It could be setting up an email or a phone number that your employees can reach out to. You can also set up a chat group; that way, whenever a need arises, you or your employees can reach out and get the help they need or communicate the message.
Final Takeaway
The world is moving, where remote working will be the new norm. These tips will surely come in handy if you plan to become a remote-first company. However, there will be some cases where you will have to figure out new challenges as they come up. It might take you a while to get completely comfortable running your company remotely, but once you get the hang of it, it will be smooth sailing. We hope you found this article informative and helpful. If you have any questions about the subject, feel free to reach out to us.
