Working from home has become the new normal for many of us in recent months. In fact, one study revealed that approximately 16% of companies in the world are completely remote. Another estimated that 73% of all workforce will have remote workers by 2028.
While remote working has its perks – like not having to commute! – it can also be a challenge.
For example, if you’re used to working in an office, it can be tough to suddenly manage a team that’s spread out all over the place. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to lead a remote team effectively.
What is remote management?
Remote management is the process of managing a team that is not all in the same location. This can involve anything from setting up video conferencing for regular meetings to using a pdf maker app for creating correspondence forms, to using project management software to stay organized.
Challenges of managing a remote team
The challenges of managing a remote team can be daunting, but they’re not insurmountable. Here are a few things to consider:
The lack of supervision
The biggest challenge for managing a remote team is the lack of supervision. You have to be able to keep track of what everyone is doing and make sure that everyone’s work is done on time. Time zone differences can make this difficult.
Communication delays
Communication is key in any team environment, but the distance between team members makes it difficult for everyone to stay on the same page. A remote team will struggle with this challenge more than an in-office or on-site team.
Lack of daily face-to-face meetings
Another challenge for managing a remote team is the lack of daily face-to-face meetings. Without these meetings, it’s hard to get everyone on the same page when it comes to communication, decision-making, and planning projects together as well as when they need help or advice from each other
Structural problems
Another challenge with managing remote teams is that it’s hard to coordinate work and get everyone on the same page. Some of these problems are logistical and practical, such as ensuring employees have access to tools and technologies that help them work more efficiently.
The mental health effect of isolation
Many people who work remotely experience anxiety about being disconnected from others and feel lonely or isolated. This can lead to low productivity. Unfortunately, there is very little managers can do in this situation without the full cooperation of the worker.
Tips for successful remote management
Now that you know the remote management challenges to look out for, here are some top tips to help make your job easier.
Establish accountability
Establishing accountability is key when you’re managing a remote team. If you’re not checking in on your team regularly, it’s likely that they will stop checking in themselves — and that will affect the quality of their work.
Don’t deviate from your office schedule
In addition to establishing accountability, you also need to make sure that you’re not deviating from your office schedule. This is especially important because your team will be more likely to stay productive when working conditions are similar to those back at work.
Get the most out of your tools
Before you start managing remote teams, make sure that the tools that are already available to you are up-to-date and thorough enough for the job. Whether it’s an online pdf editor, email, or a video conferencing tool, pick something that’s easy for everyone on your team to use and get familiar with it so there’s no confusion about how things are done.
Define your KPIs and track them
Your key performance indicators (KPIs) will help determine whether or not your remote team is actually meeting its goals and expectations. Create a set of KPIs specific to each role on your team so everyone knows what they need to do in order to stay on task and reach their targets
Check-in on a daily basis
It’s important to check in with your remote workers on a daily basis. This can be done in several ways, but the most effective is by having them report back to you about their activities and what they accomplished that day.
You can have them create a daily report using a pdf maker online or in Google docs. This helps keep them accountable and motivated, which will translate into better productivity from them.
PDF Editors in remote management
As a remote manager, you’re always looking for ways to be more efficient and get more done in less time. One way to do this is to use a PDF editor.
PDF Editors are used for editing files generated by a PDF Converter or created from regular office apps. In remote management they help to:
- Convert files from one format to another (A pdf to pdf converter can be used to compress and change the size of an existing pdf document).
- Add annotations and comments on documents.
- Re-order pages, re-order sections and delete pages.
- Add links and apply bookmarks.
- Merge pdf files online in a single user-friendly document (A good pdf combiner online can do this easily).
- Create new documents, change fonts, and much more.
There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re using a tool like this. Whether you are looking to edit, merge pdf online, or want an online pdf converter, make sure you choose a reputable and secure product. There are many pdf editor free as well as paid options available, so do your research to find the best one for your needs.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a small or large size business, it is important to have a structure in place that helps your remote employees get their job done.
Keeping track of all the data that employees enter can help you ensure their work gets done correctly the first time and make sure there aren’t duplicate tasks being carried out by different people.
Having the right PDF editor will allow your team to collaborate on files online, regardless of how far away they may be. And best of all, you can always get started with a pdf editor online free before committing to a paid version.
Try Lumin today and boost workplace productivity for your remote teams.
0 comments