Whether your company was prepared for it or not, you’ve more than likely been thrust into the realm of remote work in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Many workers and managers are still trying to adjust to this paradigm shift.
Remote work comes with its share of challenges, especially for those in the commercial real estate world, because as many of us can agree, it’s a very personal, relationship-based business. So, whether it’s team members or clients you’re working closely with, you’ll need to find new ways to manage, collaborate, and keep everyone together to overcome these challenges.
So, whether you’re just now moving or still acclimating to remote work, here are a few things to consider to set your team up for success.
Common Challenges of Working Remotely
To start, managers and employees need to understand factors that can make remote work especially demanding. Those often include:
Lack of communication
Management of a remote team is delicate because frequent and productive communication is key to a team’s success. When working remotely, managers often worry that the lack of face-to-face communication and supervision results in the mishandling of tasks and an overall decrease in productivity. Employees, on the other hand, struggle with reduced support and a disconnect in feedback, direction, approvals, etc.
That communication, or lack thereof, can then transfer to customers and clients as well, leaving those critical players in deals and developments in the dark.
Limited access to information
In somewhat conjunction with a lack of communication, newly remote workers are often surprised by the added time and effort needed to locate information from coworkers. Dependant on your systems in place, project and deal information may be spread out between multiple platforms and multiple team members.
Remote work and lack of quick communication can make finding, updating, and sharing information much more time consuming and thus less efficient.
Distractions at home
We’ve all seen the classic representations of parents attempting to work at home with kids running around the house, yelling, playing. Or employees lying on a couch in plain sight of a television or some other distraction. The truth is, when we’re working in the comfort of our home, we tend to gravitate towards the activities we’re used to doing while at home.
Social isolation
There’s no doubt a disconnect occurs when individuals are working remotely. This is especially the case when employees are suddenly transitioned to working from home. Your normal social interactions and company culture no longer seem present. It can cause employees to feel less “belonging” to their company, and therefore may impact their satisfaction with work and ultimately their productivity.
Ways to Stay Productive While Working Remotely
Just because there are challenges does not mean productivity, efficiency, and culture should diminish. You can start by implementing these things in order to make sure employees are getting critical work done.
Establish daily check-ins
With limited or non-existent face-to-face communication, setting daily check-ins is an important way to set priorities and foster connections. And this might mean providing or using different communication options. Email alone is likely not efficient enough for many businesses.
This means establishing daily calls, either one-on-one or with a team. Or better yet, a video conference call provides a more personal touch, and can also help combat a feeling of social isolation. Technology has provided businesses the tools to stay connected, so try to take advantage of them. Either way, establish a routine so employees and clients know they will have a dedicated time to consult with you.
Equip your team with tech and productivity tools
Possibly the most important factor in keeping your team productive while working remotely is to provide the tools and technology to stay connected. And we mean more than just a laptop and access to a phone. We mean using systems like a cloud-based, project management platform that gives you team access to project information anywhere and anytime.
Whatever the reason, whether it’s an office closure or just waiting for that repair company to show up between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM on a random Tuesday, the confines of your home shouldn’t restrict your productivity. Equipping teams with these new technologies keep managers and employees on the same page no matter where they are working from. Platforms like these can help keep your team more productive and connected even beyond COVID-19 restrictions.
Encourage dedicated workspaces
Many regular office workers have never needed dedicated workspace in their homes, but if they are now regularly working from home, managers should encourage the creation of home offices that are separate from communal space.
Dedicated workspaces can help free employees from the normal distractions from home life. Even if this office is a temporary makeshift space — such as a guest room, basement, attic or walk-in closet — this can help you mentally separate work from home.
Bring the team together
Beyond the everyday tasks and project management, one of the most important steps managers can take is to keep employees interacting socially. This is true for all remote workers, but particularly so for workers who have been abruptly transitioned out of the office. Social interaction with coworkers is a key factor in employee morale, so finding ways to keep the team together can help maintain positive attitudes and thus productivity.
Make sure your team is taking a little time and the beginning or end of calls to talk about non-work items. Other options might include virtual happy hours or office parties, or even planning themed days for employees to participate in.
To really overcome the challenges of working remotely employers need to be proactive about finding new ways to manage and collaborate. No matter the circumstances, putting systems in place ahead of time to keep your team communicating, working efficiently, and collaborating is critical to your success.
In the end, we’ll all be better off for it.
