It is more important than ever today to be in the know regarding remote working. 

As is becoming increasingly obvious, remote working is rapidly shifting towards being the norm, joining the likes of other remote activities, such as remote learning; it is, therefore, crucial to adapt.

Before remote working gained so much popularity, managers were used to managing their employees in a certain way, but now, they are no longer only in the office, sitting at a desk. 

This shift has also led to the expansion of business practices, which is a very positive thing for the business world. For instance, using a partner marketing strategy is now a very attractive notion, given that remote working has taken away much of the previous limitations.

Found the ideal brand with which to partner? Great! They're based in a completely different country? No problem! Remote working allows the teams from both brands to cooperate and work together, regardless of the distance between them.

That being said, the idea of managing the performance of people who don't physically share a common space with you can seem daunting. However, it's far from impossible. The key is to set up a strong foundation so that you can then easily track employees’ performance and whether they are hitting the targets they need to be focusing on.

Still confused? Don’t worry; in this article, we’ll take you through six tips or performance management guidelines to help you effectively manage your remote workers.

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1. Take onboarding seriously

While it's easy to want to get this step over and done with quickly, it's a crucial one. Getting this right will make your task of managing your team much easier down the line.

Take this time to carefully explain to your new employee what their new role in the company entails. Now is also the time to outline the company goals, along with their own individual ones (we'll be going through this in a little more detail in the following sections). 

To go the extra mile, you can also put something together for them to have a look at and refer to when they need to. This can be especially helpful when the role is complicated or in the new hire's first few weeks, when everything is novel and a little confusing.

2. Outline company goals

It’s very important to make your employees aware of the collective goals and ethos of the company. This will give them a framework within which to work and ensure everyone is working towards the same goals.

One-on-one or small team meetings are a great way to set these goals and monitor the progress being made towards them, as well as to check whether everyone is still on the same page.

To give a concrete example, we don’t need to look any further than the process by which forecasting using excel spreadsheets gets translated into automated machine learning. If you work as a team, you may use project management software to keep track of the projects and their progress. The main thing is to set a timetable or find a means to track your team’s productivity so you can see if you're on track to complete your project on time and reach your goals.

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3. Clarify individual goals

On top of clarifying company goals, set out individual goals for each team member. While company goals will give them a general guideline, individual ones will give them a clear direction. You can then check in with each individual to ensure they are on track. This makes it easier for them to stay focused and for you to keep track of their performance, as well as encourages productivity. 

4. Communicate

Communication is important in pretty much every aspect of life, and that includes management. We want to specify that when we talk about communication, we mean clear communication. This is possibly the most important performance management guideline on this list.

There's nothing more destabilizing for a new employee than coming away from an onboarding meeting more confused and unclear about their position in the company than before attending it.

To avoid misunderstandings and frustration down the line, make sure to answer questions and respond to queries as clearly and fully as possible. Also, it can help to provide a space that allows your employees to reach out to you with any questions or concerns they may have.

Don't be afraid to use the resources available to achieve this. Technological advancements are here to be taken advantage of! Tools such as a hosted VoIP phone system, for instance, can be incredibly useful in maintaining smooth communication since their flexibility allows team members to stay in touch no matter where they are. You just have to be in the know and make sure to choose the right tools to suit your (and your team’s) needs.

For example, opting for hosted PBX phone systems may not be the best shout for remote teams, as this doesn't include important features, such as instant messaging or a desktop/mobile app, that allow you to make calls from those devices.

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5. Use a shared space

This is particularly important when communicating about important things. People working remotely often have different schedules and even reside in different time zones. This means that, unlike in an office, you can't rely on everyone being present and receiving your communication simultaneously. As such, ensure that you have a shared platform that everyone can access, regardless of where they are, and stay up to date with the latest information.

6. Use the tools at your disposal

Tools such as video conferencing software are a lifesaver when it comes to managing remote teams. It allows you to simplify the sometimes difficult task of remote communication while maintaining a feeling of proximity and connection. It's also much easier to build a rapport with your employees when you have seen each other and had a conversation in real-time.

Takeaway

Well, there you are, six important performance management guidelines for your remote workers. Remember, clear and effective communication is key. Developing this alongside using the appropriate technology will have you effectively managing your remote workers and increasing workplace productivity in no time!