How to run a remote team

Running a team of virtual assistants, or even trying to organise a company’s remote admin team, can be a challenge. It’s not always ideal to communicate via email and quick responses aren’t always guaranteed. However, properly managed teams can save costs and boost productivity. Here are five tips that will help you achieve great results.

1 Know your team
Whatever the reason for managing a virtual team – a special project that requires extra hands or the implementation of a new system across multiple offices – only one thing is certain; no two teams are ever the same and there’s never a user manual.

Ask for a short biography of the key team members, including their achievements on projects they’ve worked on in the past. This will help you determine who has the appropriate skills for each task. If a particular member is significantly under skilled, you can consider asking for a replacement. Be sure to introduce yourself in a group web conference as an icebreaker.

2 Set clear goals
Leaving your team with the ultimate end goal of the project can lead to disaster. Instead, set clear step-by-step objectives with deadlines, ensuring you’re communicating with the team leaders to find out what is achievable. It’ll make the group members feel valued and you’ll receive solutions rather than problems as feedback.

3 Establish a performance measurement
Agreeing upon key performance indicators (KPIs) simply isn’t enough in today’s business world. They must be monitored and reviewed regularly to adjust them where necessary. Establish targets and the actions that will be taken if they’re not met early on in order to ensure every member of your team understands what is expected of them.

4 Communicate
Schedule regular calls with your team members – don’t leave it for when you need to appraise leaders. Regular conversations build a strong relationship and can help you identify potential problems before they become an issue. Praise for good work throughout the duration of a project is also a great motivator.

5 Encourage team spirit
A lack of integrity and team cohesion is a big demotivator. Explain the big picture to your team so they understand the importance of their work to the company as a whole. Making them feel valued in the organisation is the best way to improve productivity.

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