Are you looking for ways to keep your remote employees productive and engaged? In this webinar recap, discover useful tips from speaker Nancy Chavez of Alliant Insurance Services, on managing your team, including specific ideas that can help you increase connection, engagement and productivity for all employees.
1. Partake in a Daily Positive Activity
It is no secret that employees have faced unprecedented changes in the last year, both personally and professionally. To combat negativity, Chavez recommends beginning the day by having employees share good news, gratitude or something (anything) positive. She notes, “When I speak with employees, I try to start by talking about something fun and pleasant, and then we morph that slowly into business talk.”
“When I speak with employees, I try to start by talking about something fun and pleasant, and then we morph that slowly into business talk.”
—Nancy Chavez, Alliant Insurance Services
2. Check on Your Employees
Are you curious if employees are maximizing their time at home? Chavez encourages managers to set a rhythm and flow for workers to help them ease into their roles. “Establish check-ins with your team either daily or weekly, and be intentional with them. We want to move away from the idea of ‘checking in’ with our employees to checking on them instead,” Chavez says.
3. Provide Structure for Your Team
Giving employees a routine and a form of structure will help them increase their overall productivity. One exercise that Chavez recommends managers use is asking employees, daily, the top three things they are going to do or achieve. “It will help them stay focused on their priorities and commitments,” comments Chavez.
4. Collaborate With Teams
What are your team’s best practices for making sure the work gets done? Chavez says to collaborate and create a plan. “Managers should be thermostats, not thermometers,” Chavez shared. In other words, do not be afraid to set a tone of gratitude, happiness and optimism for your team and get them excited about the work being done.
5. Create a Culture of Growth and Improvement
Look for ways to make connections with your teams so they can feel valued and empowered. For example, using Zoom tools like polls, quizzes, breakout rooms or the Q&A function to gain input. Chavez also encourages bringing new examples to the table. “If you come across an article on something interesting, share it with your team and facilitate a conversation around it,” said Chavez.
Overall, employees have faced unprecedented challenges, both personally and professionally. The “new normal” will likely include employees who work remotely at least part of the time. By checking on your employees and providing them with a culture of growth and improvement leaders can and will successfully continue to manage remote teams.
Want event more tips and tricks for keeping your employees productive and engaged? Check out a replay of Chavez’s webinar, “Peer-To-Peer: Managing Remotely – How to Keep Your Team Productive and Engaged”, or view Applied Client Network’s full library of upcoming and on-demand webinars.