Whether you’re managing a small startup or expanding your global team, these strategies will set you on the path to working smarter and better collaboration. In this article, we’ll share easy-to-implement actionable tips that can instantly boost your team’s productivity.
Laying the Foundation for Productivity
First things first, set clear team goals and objectives. Clearly defined goals are the North Star for any team. By aligning your team’s efforts with well-defined goals, you can potentially achieve a 20% increase in overall productivity within a month. Take a page from successful businesses like Buffer, where transparent goal-setting has contributed to their remote team’s cohesiveness. Break down larger goals into actionable tasks, providing your team with a roadmap to success.
Set up KPIs tailored to your business goals, and regularly assess performance against these indicators. Tracking KPIs not only measures performance but also guides your team’s focus. Basecamp, a remote-friendly company, relies on KPIs to monitor progress, ensuring everyone is pulling in the same direction.
Identify key metrics relevant to your business, such as project completion rates or client satisfaction, and use them at a department level and individual level ensuring that every team member knows and works toward achieving those goals.
Connecting through Communication
Choosing the right communication tools is crucial and your team’s lifeline especially for remote workplaces. Don’t just rely on emails – make the most of communication tools and platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams which are widely adopted platforms, enabling seamless communication across different locations and time zones. Create channels for different projects, fostering focused discussions and reducing information clutter.
Utilize project management tools to foster real-time and asynchronous collaboration to keep everyone on the same page and create transparency on progress. Establishing communication norms that are shared and practiced by all also helps ensure effective collaboration.
Scheduling Regular Check-ins
Missing the water cooler chats? Bring your team together virtually with regular all-hands meetings, learning and training sessions, or virtual coffee breaks. Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams are excellent choices for face-to-face interactions where you can create a casual space for team members to share ideas and updates.
This simple strategy can lead to improved communication and a more cohesive team. These moments not only address work-related issues but also build camaraderie.
Improving Time Management and Focus Blocks
Now, let’s talk about time management. Introduce your team to the Pomodoro Technique- a time management method where work is broken down into intervals (usually 25 minutes), separated by short breaks. This method harnesses your team’s concentration while providing well-deserved breaks, resulting in improved productivity.
Implementing time blocking for enhanced focus is is a game-changer. Designate specific time blocks for tasks based on importance and urgency of your company’s priorities, minimizing distractions during those periods. Allocate specific time slots for different tasks or categorize your workdays to dedicate for creation and production days, meeting days, administrative, or financial check day. This approach minimizes multitasking and ensures dedicated focus on each job.
Building a Positive Remote Team Culture
Company culture is equally important in remote settings. Your company culture sets the tone on how your team members show up for clients, treat their colleagues, and how they perform their daily work. You can establish a kudo board where team members can send a praise or recognize outstanding colleagues, create programs like virtual “Employee of the Month”, organize virtual game nights to strengthen bonds.
Embrace practices that resonate with your team, fostering a positive work environment and boosting morale. Encourage team rituals which can be as simple as a Monday morning check-in or a virtual happy hour on Fridays. These rituals help create a sense of cohesion and team camaraderie.
Empowering Team Autonomy and Accountability
Giving your team autonomy in decision-making is empowering. Trust your team to make decisions within their roles. Take inspiration from Google, where the 20% time policy allows employees to spend a fifth of their work hours on projects of their choosing. This freedom sparks creativity, increased ownership, and better problem-solving when team members are encouraged to take the lead on certain projects.
Encouraging ownership and accountability goes hand in hand. When team members feel a sense of ownership, they are more likely to take responsibility for their work. Trello and Asana are great project management tools to enable individuals to take ownership of specific boards, promoting a sense of responsibility. You’ll start to notice a positive shift in team member’s attitude and commitment when you start recognizing and rewarding ownership.
Incorporating these quick actionable tips into your team’s routine can supercharge. Remember, the key is to implement these small changes, practice with consistency, and adapt them to your team’s unique dynamics. By focusing on simple, actionable improvements, your remote team will evolve into a powerhouse of productivity.
Hire with WorkfromPH.com
Explore the possibilities in the future of work and transform your business to the next level with strategic hiring of remote professionals. Want to learn our secret sauce? Gain access to experienced Filipino professionals and build your dream team, without breaking the bank.
At WorkfromPH.com, we aim to empower business owners and modern entrepreneurs to transform the way they operate their businesses. We achieve this by harnessing the power of high-performing virtual teams of exceptional Filipino professionals- resulting in a competitive advantage, substantial savings on payroll and overhead costs, and scale operations efficiently without compromising talent quality.
Imagine scaling up and growing a profitable business when you hire with WorkfromPH.com. Take the next step via info@workfromph.com.
Let’s work together and build your dream team!