Managing Remotely
140 companies answer 6 questions
Managing a remote or distributed team successfully requires good support, planning, and communication. Whether deciding if and how to get the team to meet in person or defining the line between vacation and flexible work, the management of a remote team has differences from managing traditional on-site teams. In our Managing Remotely section we ask top remote companies how they keep their teams running smoothly from thousands of miles away.
Do you have remote communication protocols for your remote workers?
We try to avoid too many emails, instead using Trello to communicate, Skype for IM, Jing for training, etc. On weekdays due to the timezones…
Not at all. Everybody should balance his needs with that of the company and act accordingly. As we don’t have working hours, people are not…
While we haven’t had the need to set strict norms, we all have an understanding of how to stay connected throughout the workday: be available…
Do you organize remote team retreats?
Yes we sure do! Jungle Camps twice yearly. It is a great way to meet, work, and grow together. It is also a time when…
We meet once a year and vote for the location that most people want to do. So far, we’ve been to Barcelona, Bulgaria, the Philippines,…
We organize retreats and offsites about once per quarter. A couple tips: choose a great venue for your company retreat and, of course, use the…
Do your remote team members meet in person?
Minimum twice a year for summer and Christmas Event
Yes, we do, and the frequency varies between teams. Some meet quarterly, others annually. We try to bring the whole company together annually for a…
Yes, whenever we can. Typically 3-5 times a year.
How do you measure the productivity of remote workers?
How do businesses measure productivity of co-located workers? By how busy they appear to be when you walk by? By whether they enter the office…
We’re a very results oriented company, but for client services work depending upon the contract type we do track hours and do things that are…
We use an agile development methodology that incorporates daily progress checks for the team. Also, if a developer’s velocity falls below a certain threshold, we…
What elements are key to successful working relationships with remote teams?
We set clear expectations from day one. That includes expectations on everyone’s level of communication, when to ask questions (always), and when to raise a…
Make sure there is not an “us vs. them” culture of HQ vs. remote workers. Treat everyone as remote, regardless of their location.
Trust, communication, and transparency are key. One of the most common questions I get from people who work in more traditional offices is, “How do…
What is the hardest part about managing a remote workforce?
The biggest challenge is the “if only we were together (physically)” thought that pops into your head on those days when you want to call…
The toughest part about managing a remote workforce is making sure everyone feels connected to the team and culture of Appirio. We work very hard…
The most difficult part is helping your team stay motivated and feel part of a team when they have never met. In the office, a…
How do you keep remote employees engaged and feeling part of the bigger picture?
Provide strategy document annually to keep the team focused. We also use this document to assist team members in shaping quarterly goals which show team…
Most managers have a mix of head office and remote workers in their teams, and work hard to ensure people feel included and communicated with.…
We are in constant communication with members of our team using online communication tools, and it’s very easy to work together and collaborate toward a…
What is your BYOD policy for remote workers?
Everyone does BYOD, mostly because everyone has different preferences and environments that make them most effective, but we will sponsor apps at times.
SitePen provides all necessary computing equipment and software that is requested by SitePen employees.
We allow team members to use whichever device(s) they feel most comfortable working with. The Cheat Sheet does allocate company computers to our employees as…
What is your time off policy for remote workers?
As a mom friendly organization we have a generous time off policy that includes paid sick days and paid family leave.
DevriX has an open time-off policy that allows people to take time off whenever they choose. This, however, should be coordinated upfront and be in…
Teachers make their own schedule! They can teach one class a month or 100 if they like. It’s totally flexible and lets teachers be their own…
What were your biggest fears in managing remote workers?
I think my biggest fears are when we lose touch with someone. Every once in a while, someone will just “disappear” – they don’t answer…
It can be difficult to connect with co-workers on a personal level when you’re rarely face-to-face. Those personal interactions while waiting for the coffee pot…
Our biggest fear with regards to having a remote workforce was that individuals would feel left out, not engaged, or like they were missing out…
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