Excerpt From: Accuchex Blog
Author: Leslie Ruhland
Although remote workers had already become a growing trend, many employers have had a remote workforce thrust on them unexpectedly. How do you manage them?
Despite repeated assurances that technology has made remote workforce management "easy", the reality is that there are many different dynamics to deal with. And technology doesn't address all of them.
Remote Workers: Technology Is Essential
Technology definitely plays a critical role in successfully running a business with a remote workforce and for managing those workers. Communication is always key for a functional business operation, but the added dynamic of operating "virtually" makes communications technology essentially vital.
Keep in mind that, currently, in the midst of the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, that many customer support departments are understaffed and overwhelmed.
Here are some of the top team collaboration software solutions being used today:
Google G Suite
G Suite is a suite of cloud computing, productivity and collaboration tools, software and products developed by Google Cloud,
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a unified communication and collaboration platform that combines persistent workplace chat, video meetings, file storage, and application integration.
Slack
Slack is an instant messaging platform that allows groups or teams to join a "workspace" via a specific URL or invitation and was developed for organizational communication.
Zoom
Zoom provides video conferencing for up to 100 participants, with a 40-minute time limit. Paid subscriptions allow more participants, increase the time limit, and obtain more advanced features
Trello
Trello is a web-based Kanban-style list-making application. Trello has a variety of work uses including software project management, lesson planning, accounting, and law office case management.
There are numbers of other tools available and the ability to combine diverse software solutions means that communicating with and managing a remote workforce it far easier today than ever.
Remote Workforce: Process Challenges
Working from home presents challenges for both the employer and the employee, according to Harvard Business Review (HBR), these often take the form of,
Lack of face-to-face supervision
Lack of access to information
Social isolation and loneliness
Distractions at home
Remote work can be fraught with challenges and the brunt of stepping up to them is on managers. Fortunately, there are relatively quick and inexpensive actions that managers can take to ease the transition.