More and more companies are starting to allow employees to work remotely. This can serve as a major perk for employees and allow businesses to cut costs and bring in top talent from around the globe. Many teams just need a reliable internet connection to facilitate remote work, but managing team members who aren’t all in a single office can be a bit of a challenge. Keep these tips in mind to ensure that everyone stays productive.

How to Manage Employees Who Work Remotely

1. Create Communication Guidelines

Communication is one of the trickiest parts of managing remote teams since you can’t just walk over to a coworker’s desk or call a quick meeting. To make sure everyone stays on track, check in regularly with calls, emails, or messages on your team’s communication platform of choice. Make sure everyone knows what to expect from you and how they should reach out if they have questions or concerns.

2. Set Goals & Deadlines

Remote work is less about putting in face time and more about completing projects. To keep employees on track, clearly outline what projects need to be completed and when. Break down larger projects into small tasks and assign each one to the most relevant team member, making sure everyone has a sufficient amount of work and clear deadlines for each task.

3. Give Them the Right Tools

In addition to setting rules, you also need to support your team so they can easily get their work done in a timely manner. Provide them with the tools they need to communicate effectively and stay on top of tasks. This might include a project management solution where they can easily find all their to-dos and deadlines, a team messaging app with threads so they can always get in touch with the right people, or a business phone system that allows them to easily take and make calls even when they’re not in the office.

If you need a strong internet connection, cable, or business phone system to help your team stay connected, Horizon can help. Based in Chillicothe, OH, the internet service provider offers solutions for both individuals and businesses throughout Ross County and southern Ohio. In business for more than 120 years, the company offers a variety of customizable packages and a user-friendly portal to make managing your account easy. Visit the company’s website to see a full selection of business services. To discuss your options, call (740) 772-8200.