3 Ways To Integrate Remote Workers Into Your Business

Every business has a group of remote workers which are scattered all over the country and even the world. Though these workers can provide invaluable help to your company and beyond, there are a few small problems that can arise from having them so far away.

Also read: 9 Tools For Engaging and Managing Remote Employees

Communication barriers and misunderstandings are just two of the problems you may encounter if you make use of remote workers, however, there are many ways to keep in contact in this digital age. Additionally, they will also miss out on the sense of community that comes with having an office job, which can lead them to feel even more out of the loop.

An integrated group of remote workers leads to a more efficient business, so make sure you follow these tips to help bring them into the fold.

Have a workspace hub

Remote workers may be missing out on a physical office and being able to speak to co-workers in person, but you can create a virtual one that they can access from anywhere in the world, at any time. Not only will this cultivate the feeling of belonging and loyalty, but it will also provide remote workers with the same resources that every other employee can access.

This means that you don’t have to worry about your email not containing all the information it needs to, as everything they require is right there in front of them. Renowned companies like Bytes.co.uk even have opportunities for you to go mobile, which makes working on the go even easier.

In terms of employee training, this also makes it so that remote workers can learn as they work from the comfort of their mobile device, without having to journey into the office. Such business practices are ideal for those who may wish to work from home every now and then, or who are under-the-weather or away for business.

Make use of social media

Communication is key when remote workers aren’t in the office. Contacting them isn’t as easy as knocking on the door of the room next to you, so there needs to be a plug to fill the gap in communicating. Downloading apps like Asana that you can video chat or call remote workers on are an innovation that businesses are investing in, where instant messaging is set to replace email.

However, downloading such apps can be time-consuming, and difficult to navigate, which is why it’s a good idea to make use of social media. Here, you can create groups and group chats for workers to brainstorm in an instant. It also helps to create a fun working environment, which will help quell any frustrations that have previously arisen from communication issues.

Also read: Motivation And Engagement: Employee Empowerment Through Social Media

Once apps such as Whatsapp have been downloaded to everyone’s phones and tablets, make sure to create relevant groups. For instance, have a general office chat, but also segment the sectors for their specific business purposes. Your content team can have one, while sales have their own. Not only does this keep notifications easier to navigate, but there will be a lesser change of confusion and distraction.

Check in regularly

When a remote worker lives far away, it’s difficult to keep them up to date with personal meetings about progress and improvement. Though this can sometimes be helped with video calls and document sharing, you still need to keep a personal connection with who you are working with.

Scheduling for them to come in for training days, or to spend some time in the office will help keep your working relationship alive and healthy. If they don’t live too far away, it’s easy to catch up over a coffee.

This will not only make them feel included but that they have a firm grip on their objectives for the future of your business. If checkups aren’t an option, you could always implement a progress tracker to see if they are meeting the targets you have set.