From connecting teams across the globe to maintaining productivity during the current pandemic, having the ability to work remotely has become an instrumental component of business development. If you’re leading from a distance, here are a few strategies to keep your company connected.

3 Ways to Connect With Remote Workers

1. Embrace Collaborative Technology

There are many applications that can help team members work together in a virtual environment. For example, Slack® is a popular platform that provides a dynamic chat room for employees to share project updates and brainstorm business development solutions. The video conferencing and screen sharing abilities of Zoom® are also valuable for making presentations and maintaining a face-to-face relationship with staff.

2. Schedule Times to Talk

To ensure that your staff stays on the same page, host a morning video chat to review important tasks for the day and gauge workflow progress. More intensive weekly meetings can help employees maintain a sense of structure that may be missing outside the office. Scheduling weekly one-on-ones also shows the team that you care about their challenges and are invested in helping them find solutions for improvement.

3. Watch Your Written Word

Direct messaging, E-mail, and text are quick methods of conveying messages to employees, but it’s easy for them to be misinterpreted. For instance, a question about a lingering deadline may come across as impatient, while playful, sarcastic comments may lose their tone and be taken seriously.

Always read through your messages before sending them and adjust any phrases or word choices that may be misread. If you need to attach an emotion to a message, use emojis with the text. If there are matters that are best discussed in person, set up a video conference instead.

It can be challenging to grow a company, especially when your employees are working remotely. If you want help staying connected and leading your team from a distance, turn to Mebane Business Association in North Carolina. These business development professionals offer training programs to hone your management skills and help you create strategic solutions to maintain productivity. To find out how you can be a member, visit their website or call (919) 304-3737.