While people couldn’t dream of working remotely 10 years ago, nowadays every other company employs at least one remote worker. Large corporations and enterprises have entire remote workforces, whose office attendance is unnecessary. PR managers, HR specialists, copywriters, journalists, photographers, bloggers, and accountants are among the professions created or adapted for remote work. The list is so extensive it can be endlessly expanded. Let’s instead discuss effective staff motivation strategies to ensure remote workers are both cost-effective and productive.
Initially, it seems that motivating remote employees is not an easy task, as they often value freedom, are self-reliant and occasionally capricious. By utilising our employee motivation tips, you will become adept at motivating and managing personnel, even if they work a thousand miles away from your office.
First and probably the most vital advice: Stay in touch
We live in an era of social networks, Skype conferences, and constant business communication. On one hand, being constantly accessible through social networks and various messengers or holding Skype calls once a week might seem demanding or time-consuming. On the other hand, if you maintain constant communication with remote staff members, they can ask questions at their convenience. This helps prevent mistakes that could lead to significant financial losses for the company. Don’t spend excessive hours on calls; simply be online or establish a specific time frame when you will be available to your employees. For example, schedule time from 1 PM to 2 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays to engage with a particular worker.
Second, but equally important advice: Formulate tasks clearly and precisely
Initially, remote work seems straightforward: you provide an employee with fundamental information about your company, explain specific work details, assign a task, and supervise its execution. However, articulating the task properly and precisely is crucial. Don’t presume a remote worker who doesn’t grasp their requested task will ask numerous follow-up questions. Most employees avoid this burden and perform work based on their understanding. Not all are willing to redo work if you’re unsatisfied with its execution. Because of this, managing remote employees requires clear and precise task instructions. This approach fosters a productive and enduring partnership. By explaining everything clearly initially, you won’t forfeit valuable time and resources when someone errs.
Third equally important advice: Offer bonuses
Financial motivation is a classic strategy, and there is no avoiding this tried-and-true staff motivation approach. Everyone enjoys getting paid, and they relish bonuses even more. Thus, if you notice an employee completing their work on time, showing initiative, being polite, hardworking, and sometimes working overtime, don’t be frugal. Implement a system of small bonuses or disburse substantial sums either quarterly or bi-annually. This will increase workers’ interest in their tasks and ensure they are carried out promptly and enthusiastically.
Fourth advice: Unique presents
This method is suitable only for employers who are fanatically and truly in love with their business and value each person involved in it. When you know a remote employee for years and he performs his work diligently, he deserves to be treated with respect and even friendliness. That’s why you can improve worker motivation with original interesting gifts. For example, if you know an employee for a long time and are aware that he is a big hockey fan, you can buy hockey match tickets for his birthday or as a gift at the end of a quarter. When there is a married woman working in your company who spends too much time on your projects, give her two movie or theater tickets, so that she could spend a lovely evening with her husband. While remote employees are far away, they are still a vital part of your team and you shouldn’t treat them with prejudice or not encourage them in the same manner you would regular office workers.
Fifth vital advice: Trust
An experienced CEO needs to manage remote employees and oversee activities, but shouldn’t neglect to trust. Naturally, if you’ve never hired remote staff before, adjusting to certain processes and learning to trust workers and delegate authority will be challenging. While managing remote employees, you won’t track every action, how time is spent behind their screens, how often they visit the kitchen, or get distracted by phone calls. Nonetheless, trusting them is essential. When hiring for remote work, you must determine how responsible, focused, qualified, and priority-oriented an individual is. Experienced top managers will easily identify a slacker or recruit a diligent expert to their team.
Sixth advice: Set deadlines
When assigning a task to an employee, it’s crucial to set a deadline and alert them of the consequences for failing to meet the submission terms. Without established deadlines, a worker may become lackadaisical and pursue personal interests over attending to assignments. Consequently, the work might be completed last minute and without due care.
Seventh advice: Positive attitude
Regrettably, it’s quite challenging to find employment where your efforts are appreciated, respected, and your views are considered. Hence, a positive attitude towards employees is invaluable. Many opt for remote work over office environments due to frustration with indiscriminate exploitation by employers and a toxic collective akin to a snake pit. CEOs managing remote workers must strive to treat them with respect. Inquire about their day, family matters, and the weather in their area of residence. Maintaining these discussions without overstepping boundaries or becoming overly familiar is essential.
Friends, we hope you find these tips useful for collaborating with remote employees and that they assist you in forging lasting and fruitful relationships with them. Remember, you play a pivotal role in organising the work processes in your company. Only the most experienced, talented, focused, and forward-thinking employers will elevate their ventures to the pinnacle of success.
