As companies nationwide enter month three of work-from-home protocols following the initial COVID-19 outbreak in America, most businesses are still learning how to better manage their employees from home. Some companies, like our team at Compulse, have never needed to manage individuals from remote locations, so this new “norm” came with a learning curve.
Fortunately, we’ve been able to successfully implement strategies for monitoring projects without compensating the quality of our work. If your company is still having trouble managing your employees during the coronavirus outbreak, here are a few tips to get you through the final phases of quarantine:
Don’t Micromanage, but Keep Tabs
As an employer or manager, you never want to micromanage your employees unless it is absolutely necessary. Right now is one of those times where you may think you need to track your team’s every move, but in reality, you only need to manage their workload.
Teams are built on trust, and you should trust that your employees are completing the projects they are assigned rather than wasting the opportunity to work from home. That said, the team you manage no longer works a few feet away, so receiving updates on important projects is no longer as simple as asking for a status update, especially when you oversee a large team. Instead, consider having your team update you at the end of each day.
During these unprecedented times, Compulse is requiring employees to forward a daily report to their manager that highlights the day’s work. This allows us to maintain a productive work environment without feeling the need to consistently check in with team members. While we encourage employees to reach out to their supervisor with questions, we trust the individuals we’ve hired to hit their quotas and to let us know when things are slow. You should, too – your employees will thank you for it.
Host Virtual Team Meetings
Now more than ever, it is important to make sure everyone is on the same page. Communication during the COVID-19 quarantine is key, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Platforms such as email, Slack, and Skype can only go so far in making sure all of your employees understand the requirements and expectations for various projects. This is why virtual meetings are of paramount importance.
Aside from the fact that virtual meetings allow you to “see” one another on a semi-regular basis, these meetings are great for discussing the company’s plans for both the present and future, reviewing what worked and what didn’t in the past, and keeping tabs on projects for clients. It’s a much quicker and more effective way to communicate than typing, and when misunderstandings arise, it is a much more efficient way to sort problems out.
Oh, and it can be fun! Try setting aside an hour every week to talk with your team face-to-face – both for business and pleasure-related purposes. We promise it will make your life easier.
Speak to Employees Before Problems Arise – And Work With Them When They Do
If you find yourself in a situation where you think an employee might not be following protocol, strike up a conversation with them. Ask them what they have going on for the day and if they need a little extra work to get them through the week. For all you know, they could be going through something at home that warrants a conversation; after all, these are difficult times for everyone. On the other hand, they may simply be short on work. Or maybe, just maybe, working from home isn’t as great as it sounds for them, and they find themselves constantly distracted.
Whatever your hunch may be, reach out and – again – communicate with your team before their potential lack of productivity impacts the business. Hashing out the details surrounding your concerns can only strengthen both your business and your employee-supervisor relationships, so voice your concerns before they require strict interventions. You’ll be glad you did in the long run.
For information on how Compulse Integrated Marketing can help with all of your marketing needs, call us at 844.821.2154.