Collaboration and communication are two of the main keys to a successful business, no matter what field or industry you are in. The ability to check-in with coworkers on projects and collaborate on data is so important even in this highly digital world we live in.
Employers have found these two components of work life to be even more critical as they balance remote workers during this unprecedented time of a global health crisis. Here are a few tips to help your employees and team members collaborate and communicate as they adjust to this new sense of normal.
Create Multiple Avenues of Communication
For many of your remote workforce, this is their first experience with having to work from home while juggling family responsibilities. It will take some adjusting and employers should do their best to create multiple avenues of communication for employees.
For example, many offices rely on face-to face meetings to discuss day-to-day business operations. Set up a digital method that allows your team to continue that feeling of being in the same room virtually. Many companies are testing out their skills with Google Meet aka Hangouts, Skype for Business, or GoToMeeting. Others are using Zoom meetings.
Other than video conferencing create methods where team members can work on the same docs such as Google Docs and can casually discuss issues about each project such as through applications like Slack.
Give Regular Briefings
Much like our local, state, and national political leaders are doing, business leaders should hold regular staff meetings either through video or audio conferencing. The regular check-ins will help keep everyone connected and allow for questions to be asked between departments and colleagues working on the same project as well as have some dialogue from business leaders.
Invest in Project Management Tools
Now, more than ever before, work teams need to be able to access digital files, work collaboratively, and know the status of a project in real time. Project management tools and software can really help do this. Programs such as Trello, Asana, Basecamp, or Wrike can help keep your employees on the same page in regards to clients, and work projects.