Running a business from home has its pros and cons, and it takes time and effort to really make it work well. It might not get any better than working in your pajamas, but trying to do everything on your own to get your business off the ground can be stressful. A little help can often go a long way towards alleviating stress and boosting efficiency.
If you’ve been trying to get by alone, it may be time to put together a team to push your company to the next level. Here’s how to choose the right workers and how to effectively manage them so that the situation is good for everyone involved.
Find the Right People
Depending on the type of business you’re running, you’ll need to pin down exactly what you need help with and who you’ll need to provide that help. For example, most small business owners must have a quality website, and unless you have the skills yourself, you’ll likely need to hire a web designer to create and run a site. If you’re using a website builder, someone to spiff up your images can be a boon, and if your site is already wrapped up, consider adding someone to tackle social media outreach.
Finding freelancers to do the work is easy these days, thanks to online job platforms. You can read through reviews and choose a team member who fits into your budget and has good feedback from previous employers.
Get To Know Your Team Members
In a traditional office setting, coworkers often talk about more than just the job. They typically know a little bit about each other’s lives, giving them the opportunity to bond and create appropriate friendships. This can be a challenge when working remotely, but it can be done. CERIC recommends that you set aside time during meetings or even one-on-one calls to ask your team members about their lives outside of work. They’ll appreciate that you care, and you’ll build a better connection with each individual.
Rely on Good Communication
Consistent, quality communication is the key to successfully managing a remote team. Without proper communication channels in place, it’s nearly impossible to keep everyone in the loop. You can decide how you’d like to engage regularly with your team, but make sure that everyone is on the same page. You don’t want anyone to be using different methods to get in touch.
Luckily, most of the world is digital these days, making it easier than ever to communicate. If possible, set up an internal messaging service that you and your team members use to reach one another. Email is best for employees connecting with clients, but a project-management system can help keep questions and concerns from clients in the right place.
Set Up a Reliable Time Tracking System
When it comes to tracking the time your employees work, the simpler the system, the better. Fortunately, there are many time tracking solutions available that pair an easy-to-use clock-in system for both freelancers and employees with the ability to pull up important reports whenever you need them. Additionally, time tracking software allows you to build out schedules and send alerts to workers whenever something changes. These time tracking systems are also available as mobile apps, allowing everyone to access things from wherever they are.
Create Your Own Oasis
While the perks of working from home are many, setting up at the kitchen table is less than ideal. In order to be the best manager possible, you need to have a workspace in an optimal working environment. PRNewswire notes ample natural light, for instance, can greatly enhance productivity. You also need enough elbow room for all your furniture and gadgetry, and a few houseplants can even be a boon.
A successful company is more than just the person who started it. The employees behind the scenes can make a huge impact in boosting productivity and efficiency. As a manager, choose a remote team of professionals to help you delegate those tasks you’re not as adept at so you can focus on your strengths, and work with experts to handle some of your other must-dos.
Article written by Julia Mitchell, Career and Finance Specialist at Outspiration.net
Audrey Langevin 