by Riya Sander

As businesses grow to achieve an international presence, more daunting challenges are presenting themselves on the table for workers and managers alike. Managers are particularly finding themselves unable to cope with the challenges of managing remote employees. On the other hand, workers are being forced to adopt the concept of being remotely managed, therefore calling for the need for accountability and being responsible. The huge task, however, lies upon the managers whose managerial skills are being put to the ultimate test with the need for remote management skills. For effective remote employee management, managers need to beware of how to manage employees in remote locations.

Remote management tip #1: Use the right set of management software

When it comes to remote management, the differences in location of the employees complicate the process of administration of duties and corporate functions. The different teams from different locations pose an additional challenge to the logistical challenge involved. To be effective and efficient, managers ought to make use of numerous available software and programs to help in the administration process.

As a manager, customized communication and decisions would need to be made to specific centers from time to time. The software would achieve this by making scheduling possible. The managers would also be able to be notified of pending decisions and communication to be made from time to time. Also, depending on the set of scheduling software in use, managers could make instant adjustments on the go using mobile platforms of the software.

The scheduling programs also enable the manager to view the management of overall organization from different hubs, therefore making decision-making and administration of duties seamlessly simple.

Remote management tip #2: Establishment of a remote management hub

The process of remotely managing employees starts with the establishment of the right approach that would facilitate the same. With businesses being located in different locations, it is virtually impossible to establish a physical presence in all locations without causing a hefty financial levy on the company’s budgets. To conquer this challenge, companies have been forced to establish remote data centers or utilize the colocation services.

Establishing a business remote management hub would render the business and the manager in question with the right set of advantages. For instance, it would heavily cut on the costs allied to the setting up of a company-owned data center and communication hub to connect all the remote business hubs. With there being various dedicated companies which host such services, hiring out one would help the company steer from incurring costs for construction, equipping, and maintenance of the business’ IT infrastructure that would be required to facilitate remote data management. The robust and fast bandwidth ensures that computing applications run much faster, therefore making remote management aspects such as video conferencing achievable.

Remote management tip #3: Do not lapse on communication

As a manager, communication is very important in maintaining a smooth flow of organizational functions in the workplace. When it comes to the challenge posed by the remote management of organizational functions, communication cannot be overemphasized. Collaborating between the management and the workers of each of the hubs would ensure that managers and their subordinates run effectively.

Working remotely demands that you apply an organized communication schedule where comprehensive briefing ought to take place. Weekly or monthly of such meetings would ensure that communication is organized and that managers do not overlook or forget to run the periodical briefings. With the numerous online real-time communication platforms including video conferencing and webinars, the managers would have the option of meeting all workers through online platforms.

 Communication goes beyond the verbal exchanges between workers and their bosses. It also involves sharing of business-centered information such as financial information, sales, profits, and human resource information. Sharing such vital information periodically through the fast broadband connectivity ensures informed decision-making.

Remote management tip #4: Delegate duties and avoid micromanagement 

With the remote management comes an additional prospect and urge to micromanage each of the remote business hubs. Whereas it is vital to show concern and interest in what goes on in each of the remote business hubs, it is important to try and avoid instances of micromanagement which sets in when managers try to impose their decisions on every single pertinent decision to be made in the company.

Micromanagement can easily cause businesses to lose their track even as workers get dejected and frustrated by having the simplest of their decisions made remotely. To empower the employees, it is important to delegate responsibilities to them as this increases their accountability and improves on their dedication to their workplace duties. Delegation also helps ensures that the workers’ management skills are grown and that they can rise up to the challenge of working without onsite management and still pull out a success.

Remote management tip #5: Beware of differences that come with remote employee management in multi-locations

Remote management of workers and the fact that the said workers are located in different locations around the globe poses some unique differences that the manager should be aware and aware of. The first difference, though subtle, is the element of time. Different locations around the globe have different time zones.

When seeking to communicate with the workers from such multi-locations, it is important to take note of their time zones to avoid communicating at an inappropriate time. For instance, it would be easier and courteous for the manager to adjust his or her time to have the communication made during the remote employees’ daytime. Also, different but simple cultures from diverse locations should be taken note of to avoid a culture clash.

Photo: Pexels