How To Successfully Run A Remote Business
/Even before the pandemic, running a business remotely was gaining in popularity but the events of 2020 made it grow by leaps and bounds. With lower overhead, a virtual business had a chance to prosper or at least hopefully break even.
The transition to remote worked so well in 2020, many startups and old businesses alike have made the move or are considering leveraging the benefits of doing so. However, running a remote business is a bit different than what most owners are used to, and with that in mind, we’ve put together some tips to help you successfully run a remote business.
A Strong Foundation
First and foremost, you’re going to need technology to run your remote business. Your staff is going to need secure access to all important files and whether that calls for a new VPN service, additional computers for home offices, or just ensuring that you have a great fleet management service, you have to have the technology in place to successfully run a remote business.
The Right Stuff
Not everyone can successfully work remotely. When it comes to having someone to reach out to, some employees need in-person contact with their supervisor. And although unlikely, there are a small few that will try to take advantage of the situation and either not be as productive as they would normally be, or flub the job off entirely.
Your training regimen needs to be thorough and cover all the aspects of their job, but it also needs to be used to weed out those that can’t handle working remotely. Try having role-playing sessions that are real-world scenarios that not only test their skill sets but also their ability to remain focused when working alone.
Consider Outsourcing
While you likely don’t want to outsource your entire team, there are some key areas that it could make perfect sense to do so. You can check out articles such as 'what is a payroll provider' and ‘why companies outsource’ to help you determine if it’s right for you and if so, the right solution for your outsourcing needs.
Communication
Along with hiring employees with “the right stuff,” you need to have a communication plan in place. Zoom, other video conferencing tools, and email can be cumbersome and time-consuming to just ask a simple question, especially when receiving the answer is time-sensitive, so it’s imperative to invest in the right messaging tool. I am a big fan of using Slack for quick questions with my team.
Connection & Engagement
Since you can’t simply walk by someone’s desk and tell them what a great job they’re doing or just to touch base, you need to get a little creative in order to create those all-important connections. It’s not impossible to create engagement without face-to-face time, but it can be tricky.
Try things like having a virtual employee game night or a non-competitive fitness challenge that employees can track in a shared cloud file. If everyone is fairly local, try having a once-a-month get-together at a local lake or another outdoor venue. Another way you can get your team involved in your company and the larger community is by hosting a charity event or a giving drive.
Lastly, be SURE to hold regular one-on-one sessions. Preferably by video chat and no less than once every other week. Your employees need to know that you’re there to support them and that the job they do does indeed matter.
All of the above are extraordinarily important when building your remote business and skipping steps or trying to cut corners is not advisable if you want to be successful. Take the above tips, modify them to fit your situation, and watch your remote business flourish.
