Remote work has changed the way that businesses operate. More and more companies are downsizing their office space and having their employees work from home. It benefits the business because they save money and it’s better for employees as well because they can work on their own terms. This flexibility is something I love. It lets me run the x-country team for my daughter, and get to figure skating.

For a lot of people, that means that they will be more productive, however, to be productive you need to have the right tools at hand. Some remote workers are significantly less productive than they would be in the office. In some cases, that is down to their work ethic and their ability to self motivate but it can also be because their employer is not providing them with the right tools and support. So, how do you solve the productivity issue with remote workers? 

Invest In The Right Tech

Technology is key to effective remote working and if companies are not willing to invest, they will not get the most out of their remote workers. You need to have a reliable cross-device way to share files securely amongst your team. If you don’t have a file sharing system in place, they will have to email the office every time they need something, and that isn’t going to be productive at all.

It’s a good idea to use project management tools as well because it’s harder to keep everybody organized when they are not in the office together. If you want the best results, it may be worth consulting app developers and having them build a dedicated system for remote workers. By creating a customized platform, you can ensure that all of the workers’ needs are met and they have easy access to all of the resources that they need to work effectively. 

Manage Schedules Effectively 

People tend to think that remote employees work sporadically throughout the day and they’re always working at different times but that isn’t the case. In fact, 60 percent of remote workers work fixed hours. The problem is, those fixed hours may be different, which is why it’s important to manage schedules effectively. When it comes to conference calls, for example, you need to know roughly when everybody will be available so you can coordinate properly. 

Communicate Tasks Clearly 

Miscommunication is a big issue with remote workers and it can lead to a dip in productivity. If employees are unsure what is being asked of them and they don’t understand your expectations, it is likely that their output will not be in line with what you expect from them. It’s important that you focus on good communication with remote workers and have regular conference calls with the team. When setting out tasks, be very clear about exactly what you expect from each member of the team and encourage questions if people are still unsure. Setting a clear timeline for projects is vital as well because if people are not completing their section of a project on time, they hold back the entire team. 

As long as you follow these basic steps, you can solve the productivity issue in remote working. 

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