At Works, we commend your decision to recognise the value of remote development teams for your upcoming project. This is a crucial initial step towards grasping the full potential of distributed software development and its numerous benefits for your enterprise. We are confident you will soon discover and appreciate the many advantages of working with a remote team. As software development moves towards a distributed model, we are pleased to have you onboard as part of the revolution.
It is probable that some of your staff members may already be handling some or all of their tasks remotely. In such a scenario, it is crucial to evaluate how this newly formed virtual team will align with your current organisational structure. It is imperative to ensure that there are no disruptions to the existing working processes and that any new members can blend in seamlessly with the team.
If you are a newcomer to managing a remote workforce, it is essential to avoid making common blunders. Fortunately, our team at Works can offer you invaluable support and guidance to guarantee a seamless transition process.
Over time, we have acquired extensive expertise in helping organisations find the best global software developers to join their development teams. As you set about integrating your newly recruited team members, please bear in mind the following points.
Clarity
Can you provide a brief outline of your team’s position within the broader corporate setup? The idea of ‘integration’ must be emphasized here. It is crucial to guarantee that remote workers and digital nomads receive the same level of respect, consideration and recognition as those who work in the conventional office setting.
Consider the following scenario:
- Incorporating the new team members into relevant organisational charts.
- At Works, we are thrilled to welcome our new team members and take this opportunity to acquaint them with the rest of the enterprise. We can accomplish this by highlighting them in our corporate newsletter or introducing them during meetings, either virtually or in person. We are excited about the prospect of collaborating with them and appreciate the valuable contribution they will make to the organisation.
- Issue them a business email address and include their details in the personnel directory.
- It is advantageous for your workforce to have a comprehensive understanding of their roles and responsibilities, as well as having a clear idea of who can assist them in times of need. To ensure that your staff receive the necessary guidance and support, we recommend establishing a system that enables them to seek advice from a range of sources, instead of just relying on one person.
Consistent Outcomes
Your recently hired remote team members can benefit greatly from being provided access to your organisation’s remote work policies. In case you do not have any such policies in place, our checklist of essential requirements can prove useful. Moreover, remote employment guidelines implemented by Zapier can serve as a valuable reference point for you.
It is crucial to ensure that the entire team understands the benefits of hiring remote workers and that any negative biases towards foreign professionals, which may have been formed during the outsourcing era, are addressed. It is your duty to communicate to everyone in the organisation that you have brought on board skilled and talented experts.
Onboarding
It is imperative to be adaptable when introducing new members to a virtual team, as different individuals may require varying degrees of support. Familiarising yourself with the personnel with whom your team will be interacting most frequently will enable you to build relationships with external stakeholders quickly and efficiently.
It is crucial to ensure that digital nomads have access to the necessary tools to perform their tasks proficiently. To facilitate this, we recommend creating an extensive list of applications and websites that need to be downloaded or registered in advance. This will help streamline the planning process and ensure that digital nomads have all the required resources at their disposal for an effective work environment.
For remote teams to function efficiently, it is crucial for them to be self-reliant. As a manager, it is your duty to ensure that remote workers have access to the resources necessary to enable them to work productively. It is your responsibility as a manager to ensure that these resources are available to the remote team.
Establish a common sense of identity for your collective.
As a remote team, it is vital to foster a sense of connectivity and belonging amongst team members. After several extensive discussions on this topic, the unanimous agreement is that empowering team members to establish the guiding principles and values of their work can play a pivotal role in cultivating a robust collective identity and sense of togetherness.
After selecting their objective, it is crucial to communicate it to the team members. In a virtual work setting, you must take on the role of a public relations officer to ensure that everyone is kept informed and connected. While colleagues working in the same physical space can develop relationships through informal interactions, remote teams are unlikely to have contact beyond their immediate work associates.
Ensure clarity in all forms of communication.
The saying goes that ‘communication is the key to success for remote teams,’ and their progress can be impeded without proper communication. While we have extensively covered the significance of effective communication for remote teams in the past, the summarised message is straightforward: it is crucial for their triumph.
- Ensure that all team members are aware of the appropriate modes of communication and have mutually agreed upon their usage.
- Stay connected with friends and family. Daily stand-ups are an excellent tool for keeping remote workers aligned and averting any miscommunications.
Just make sure it’s communication with a purpose; don’t stray onto the dark path of micro-managing. - Allow for some lighthearted conversation. Incorporate chitchat and a “virtual water cooler” in your sessions.
Agile
It is possible that you may not be acquainted with Agile development process or the idea of a daily stand-up meeting. At Works, we are firm believers that Agile and distributed teams complement each other just like burgers and fries do.
Preparation
The old adage states that prevention is better than cure. It is wise to invest time in adequately preparing remote workers for their responsibilities. Such an investment can pay off significantly in the long run when operations are running effortlessly. Check out our blog post on whether you should pay the ransom.
This indicates that we must be meticulous in our search for and recruitment of suitable employees. While working independently and remotely may pose a challenge for some employees, our team is adept at collaborating and delivering exceptional performance, irrespective of geographical separation. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you require a team with such skills; we specialise in this area and would be delighted to serve you.
