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Building an engaged remote workforce

By
Sarah Touzani
February 21, 2024
2 minute read
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In recent years, there's been a massive shift in the way that work is done. With advances in technology and an increasingly globalized economy, more and more employees are working remotely. This trend has a number of advantages, including increased flexibility and decreased overhead costs. However, it also presents some challenges, one of which is maintaining company culture.

When everyone is in the same physical space, it's easier to create and share a common culture. But when employees are spread out all over the world, it becomes much more difficult. Managers play a critical role in maintaining company culture in a remote environment. They're the ones who provide guidance and support to their teams, and who help to instill the company's values.

1. The rise of remote work and its impact on company culture

The past decade has seen a dramatic shift in the way we work. Thanks to advances in technology, more and more people are finding themselves able to work remotely - and they're loving it.

A recent study by Gallup found that 43% of Americans now work remotely at least some of the time, and that number is only going to rise.

But what does this mean for company culture? How can you build an engaged, productive remote workforce?

It starts with management. If you want to create a positive, engaging remote work environment, you need to start from the top down. Leaders need to be clear about their expectations and goals, and they need to be available to answer questions and provide support.

Remote work can be a great way to attract and retain top talent. But it's important to remember that remote workers are still people - they need to feel connected to the company culture, and they need to feel like their work is meaningful.

The bottom line is that remote work is here to stay. And if you want to stay ahead of the curve, you need to start building an engaged remote workforce.

2. The role of managers in maintaining culture in a remote environment

Managers play a critical role in maintaining culture in a remote environment. They are responsible for setting the tone and expectations for their teams, and for ensuring that everyone is working towards the same goals.

When done well, management can help to create a cohesive and engaged team that feels connected even when they're not in the same physical space. They are key in bridging day-to-day tasks to the company's goals and values.

But remote management comes with some challenges. One of the biggest challenges is communication. It can be difficult to stay in touch with remote employees and to keep everyone on the same page. This is why it's so important for managers to be clear and concise in their communication.

Another challenge of remote management is building trust. It can be harder to build trust with someone you've never met in person. But it's essential for managers to earn the trust of their employees if they want to build a successful team.

Finally, remote management can be lonely. It's important for managers to make an effort to connect with their team members on a personal level, even if they're not in the same room.

3. What managers can do to keep their teams engaged

There are a few things that managers can do to keep their teams engaged:

First, they need to make sure that everyone feels like they're part of the team. This means creating opportunities for employees to interact with each other, whether that's through regular check-ins, video chats, or online forums.

Second, managers need to give employees a sense of ownership over their work. This means allowing them to have a say in how their work is done and giving them the autonomy to make decisions.

Finally, managers need to create an environment of trust. This means being transparent about expectations, goals, and feedback. It also means being available to answer questions and provide support.

By following these guidelines, managers can create an engaged and productive remote workforce.

Conclusion

The rise of remote work is inevitable. And with it comes a new set of challenges for managers.

But by being clear about expectations, goals, and feedback; by creating opportunities for employees to interact with each other; and by giving employees a sense of ownership over their work, managers can create an engaged and productive remote workforce.

And Waggle can help. Our software makes it easy for managers to stay in touch with their teams and to keep everyone on the same page. We also offer a variety of tools to help managers build trust and create an environment of transparency.

If you're looking for a way to manage your remote team more effectively, look no further! We can help you build the engaged and productive workforce you need to stay ahead of the curve.

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