Currently, one in four workers in the UK has a hybrid working model, and the number of people working remotely has risen by over 30%.
While the news that nearly half of the people working from home said that they could get more done should be encouraging to employers, there is still a debate about the reality of remote working and the demise of the traditional office environment. While both pros and cons exist, offering a more flexible way of working seems to be the way forward for many employers.
With this in mind, it pays to know how best to manage your remote team or field agents if you have them to ensure continuity of service and no loss of productivity.
The following suggestions can be beneficial in getting the most from your new working arrangement or supporting the one you already have in place.
Use Management Software
If you have people working together from different locations, then it is likely that you will need to have something to enable them to collaborate easier. Using software is usually your best option, and having one that allows you to track the customer journey from beginning to end, regardless of where people are working or who is dealing with the query, can be highly beneficial. This is where field service management software comes into play. You can track everyone's movements and update them in real-time to ensure everything is handled.
Understand Work From Home Challenges
While working in the office means you can see what everyone is doing and monitor them, you will still face challenges and issues. While you might not be able to see what people are doing in their own homes or at a different location, they will still face challenges in their working day. The more you know about each person's challenges, the easier it will be for you to help them find ways around them. Common issues include not having enough face-to-face items with management or supervisors, suffering from video call fatigue, communication breakdowns and bottlenecks, tech issues and distractions in the form of phone calls, people knocking on doors, disruption to the internet connection, and more. Addressing these can help people to work easier.
Check-In Regularly
Checking in regularly means you can keep up to date with what is happening and fix any concerns quickly. While many employees won't likely need micromanaging, they will still need contact from superiors to ensure things are running smoothly. You can do this via scheduling one-on-one meetings face-to-face or over video or telephone calls. Use this time to update them on their progress, targets, and what you are impressed with or need to change.
Always keep the lines of communication open from you to everyone who needs to help you keep that rapport up and allow employees a point of contact when they need it. Even if they're not physically working together in the same place, they are still collaborating and need guidance and support where they are.
Remote working is most definitely here to stay, and how you adopt it into your business is something only you can decide. But these tips can help you get the most from any workers who don't come into the office while supporting what you do daily.
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