The pandemic forced every business to transition to a remote workforce. Initially, this switch created some fear. It’s a common belief that remote work will decrease productivity and give employees reasons to slack off.
But virtual workforces didn’t usher in every company’s death. It just changed the ways businesses operated and functioned, and some of those changes were so successful that several brands decided to keep work-from-home options. Household name companies like Twitter, Reddit, Lyft, and Spotify have either created a fully remote workforce or implemented more flexible options for employees. By 2025, research indicates that 70% of the workforce will be virtual at least five days per month.
Maybe you’re learning about all of this and wondering if you should transition to a remote company. After all, you wouldn’t have to pay for an office space or tons of supplies, so the savings would be significant. A recent study even found that letting people work remotely at least half of the time could help companies save an average of $11,000 per employee. That type of savings could immensely boost a company’s success as the additional money could go towards sales and marketing efforts, but making the switch to a virtual workforce isn’t easy. It comes with multiple unique challenges.
How to run a remote business successfully
Two of the biggest problems remote companies face are maintaining employee engagement and connectivity. While these obstacles shouldn’t discourage you, they should make you consider learning how to run a remote business that maintains a sense of closeness and excitement.
If you’re going to transition to a virtual work environment, you need to set your team up for success so that your business runs as smoothly as possible. For tips on what to do, here’s how to run a remote business that maintains employee engagement and connection.
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Focus on good communication
Operating a virtual company means communication won’t be as simple as going to an employee’s desk to talk. Instead, you’ll have to make an effort to prioritize communication. Speaking with your team regularly and ensuring your managers do the same is imperative to engaging your employees and increasing connectivity. You can maintain this communication by having daily huddles in the mornings and using platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams. Just keep in mind that excellent communication is a two-way street. Make sure to listen to your employees just as much as you speak to them.
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Praise employees’ work
When a team member does something great, it’s essential to recognize their hard work and achievement, even if you run a remote business. Highlighting an employee’s accomplishments and rewarding them are great ways to boost engagement and foster community, as everyone comes together to celebrate that individual. You can praise an employee’s work by sending a company-wide or teamwide email about their accomplishments. Another great idea is to send an electronic gift card to their favorite local restaurant.
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Have virtual lunches
Lunch is a great way to promote team bonding. If some of your employees live in the same city, encourage them to get lunch together, and don’t be afraid to grab lunch with team members who live near you. However, if most of your workforce is spread out, don’t worry. Schedule a weekly virtual lunch with your team. While it’s not the same as meeting in person, it’s still better than eating alone. Your employees will appreciate spending time catching up. And if you want to make things even more interesting, you can play an easy game during the virtual lunch break to increase interaction.
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Promote work-life balance
Usually, remote workers struggle to have a healthy work-life balance because their professional and personal lives become very intertwined. You may notice some of your employees working 24/7 or making themselves available from sunup to sundown, and while the effort is commendable, it’s not healthy or sustainable. You want your employees to maintain balance so that they stay engaged and excited to work. The best way to do that is to encourage a healthy work life. Tell your employees to walk away from their computers at the end of the workday. For those who finish their daily tasks quickly, let them know it’s okay to step back and head offline.
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Do company contests
Everyone loves a good contest, and friendly competition is an excellent way to keep your remote employees engaged and connected. During the holidays, do a Halloween Costume Contest and an Ugly Sweater Contest. And if it’s not the holiday season, get creative by having your employees submit pictures of their craziest coffee mugs. Then, reward the winner with a gift card or bragging rights.
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Schedule virtual coffee breaks
Another easy way to foster team bonding and excitement in your virtual workforce is with coffee breaks. This strategy will help replace the conversations your employees would’ve had in a break room. Taking regular short pauses throughout the day is a habit your team shouldn’t lose once you become a remote business. Breaks are healthy, and they provide an opportunity to recharge so that engagement levels are at their best. They also give employees a space to communicate, so schedule coffee breaks to chat with your team throughout the week. Let your employees know the break is optional but that you’ll be online at a specific time, sipping your coffee and taking a recess if they want to join. If some employees can’t attend, encourage them to schedule a coffee break with others at another time.
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Make employees feel valued and heard
Even from a distance, you should make employees feel valued and heard. One way to make them feel appreciated is to recognize their birthdays. For this occasion, give them a company-wide or teamwide shoutout and send them a virtual gift card. On the other hand, if you want to ensure employees feel heard, reassure them you’re open to receiving feedback and hearing their thoughts. Tell them your virtual door is always open and that you invite them to speak honestly and regularly with you.
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Host virtual hangouts
Hanging out in person with your employees may not be possible at a remote company, but you can still do online hangouts that are just as fun. After work hours, invite your team to a virtual happy hour or game night. For a more unique experience, schedule a virtual workout or cooking class. Regardless of what you choose, creating spaces to talk and have fun with your employees will increase connectivity and keep your team engaged. And this will go a long way in building a successful company.
Be flexible and patient
If you want to know how to run a remote business with a great work environment, the above tips can help. But don’t get frustrated if things don’t go as planned in the beginning. Transitioning to a remote workforce isn’t easy. There will be ups and downs along the way. However, if you focus on keeping your employees connected and engaged, you’ll have a successful virtual company in no time.