4 Tips to Better Engage Your Remote Employees

Thanks to technology, remote work has become a very popular trend in the workplace and it is considered to be a great option for employees who have certain obligations that prevent them from being available at the office. Allowing employees to work remotely gives companies access to a wider pool of talents, reduces costs, and improves employee retention. Employees also enjoy a number of benefits, including better work-life balance, and time and money savings.

Despite the many advantages associated with telecommuting, it still has its own set of challenges. One of the main challenges that employers face with remote employees is keeping them engaged while they work outside the office. The good news is that you can do something about it! Check out the below useful tips to help you better manage your remote employees effectively.

• Recognize and Reward

Back when telecommuting did not exist, it was relatively easier to show recognition for a job done well as all employees were present in the same office. But with remote work, it’s easy to forget about the importance of recognizing accomplishments of your top remote-performers, that’s why you need to be mindful about that. Make sure that you provide frequent feedback and reward the achievements of your remote employees in a way that is visible to others in your company.

• Use Technology to Communicate

By adopting technology solutions to make remote work easier to manage, you will be able to take the productivity of your remote workforce to the next level. Make sure that you start using tools such as Google Hangouts or Slack to keep communication channels open. It’s also recommended that you schedule one-to-one meetings with remote employees on a regular basis to make sure that all employees are on the same page with regards to deliverables.

• Set Clear Goals and Expectations

In order to keep your remote employees engaged and productive, you should clearly identify your company-wide objectives and what is required from them to achieve those objectives. A clear understanding of goals and objectives helps your remote employees know that they’re a critical part of a bigger picture, creates a culture of accountability, and ensures that all efforts are aligned and directed into the main goal.

• Meet Face to Face Regularly

Face to face communication is still by far the most powerful way to achieve your business goals. Try to get your remote and office-based team members together in person at least twice a year. These face to face meetings will be highly beneficial for your team building efforts and creates familiarity among your team members.