In 2020, only 36% of adults who worked remotely did so because they wanted to. The rest were obligated to work from home because their offices were closed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many, however, learned to love remote work: In 2022, 61% of those working from home reported choosing remote work, even though working in person was an option for them.
This uptick in a desire for flexible work reflects the changes in the modern workforce and their expectations. These arrangements can be beneficial, but without effective remote workforce management, they can also cause security gaps, declines in productivity, and more. Knowing how to navigate these difficulties is key to maintaining a thriving, successful remote workforce.
Understanding the Challenges of a Remote Workforce
While many employees appreciate the flexibility and balance that accompanies remote work, remote workforce management presents unique challenges for business owners.
- Communication Barriers: Some team members may not be as comfortable with instant messaging or video calling software, and glitches, bugs, or internet outages can hinder effective communication between employees.
- Declines in Productivity and Motivation: Without the atmosphere of an office and the encouragement of having others working around you, it can be difficult to stay focused. Managers may also struggle to gauge employee motivation and productivity.
- Lower Data Security: Various devices in various locations accessing, altering, and sending data can leave it more vulnerable to attacks or accidental loss without proper remote workforce management.
- Lack of Team Cohesion and Culture: Fewer in-person conversations can make it hard for coworkers to feel connected and develop a healthy, collaborative company culture.
Remote Workforce Management Made Simple
These and other issues are very real, but there are tools and processes to overcome them. With these best practices for remote workforce management, you can make working from home an asset to the organization rather than a setback.
Use Effective Communication Strategies
Promote collaboration and avoid information gaps with meaningful communication techniques. Here are a few ideas:
- Set up accounts with quality communication tools (like Slack, Zoom Microsoft Teams, etc.) for all team members
- Hold trainings as necessary and provide tech support for employees
- Establish clear communication guidelines, such as what channels should be used for what kinds of information and how often
- Encourage regular check-ins between coworkers and supervisors
- Support virtual meetings to discuss ideas and projects
Promote Productivity and Motivation
It can be easy to feel unmotivated when you’re far away from managers and coworkers, so help your team know you still care about them and their work. Set clear goals and performance metrics to help them stay on track and know what they should prioritize. Create a system to provide regular feedback on performance and recognize any jobs well done.
Ensure Data Security
Preventing sensitive data leaks is a huge concern in remote workforce management. How do you keep information secure when it can be accessed from a variety of locations? Consult a trustworthy IT company to implement some of these best practices:
- Integrate robust cybersecurity protocols
- Use VPNs and secure connections
- Update software and systems often
- Teach employees about how to avoid, respond to, and report cyber threats
Build Team Cohesion and Culture
Culture plays a huge role in how well your business functions and the quality of the products and services you provide. Foster connections through virtual team-building activities and truly get to know each employee. Celebrate successes like big sales and milestones like work anniversaries. Find ways to show your team that you’re glad to work with them—even from afar.
Collaborate with an IT Provider
Remote workforce management requires a lot of tech know-how, and it might seem like just another thing to add to your already full plate. Partnering with an IT provider can take some of that load off, and you’ll know you’re getting the best support possible. IT professionals have a wealth of knowledge, tools, and experience they can use to optimize your remote operations.
You can expect higher productivity and collaboration, safer communication channels, and stronger team connection with services like:
- Remote desktop support
- Video calling and other advanced communication services
- Advanced video conference systems. (can we link this to our videoconference stuff?)
- Project management platforms
- Cybersecurity solutions
- Digital assistants
Support Your Remote Team Members with Praxis
At Praxis Computing, we want your business to thrive—whether you’re working in person, at home, or somewhere in between.
Our remote workforce management services are designed to promote productivity and help your business run smoothly from anywhere. We take pride in getting to know your organization so we can offer tailored support, and we love helping businesses like yours reach their full potential. Ready to streamline your remote work processes? Just give us a call.
