According to Upwork, by 2025, an estimated 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely, which equates to about 22% of the workforce. This continuous shift towards remote work and remote teams presents unique challenges and opportunities for medical device companies and their project managers.
In this article, we discuss actionable strategies for getting the most out of your remote teams, drawn from our interview with Courtney Jones, a seasoned project manager at Rebiotix, a Ferring Company.
Let’s dive in.
Strategy #1 to get the most out of your remote teams: Proactive Communication
Remote work complicates team coordination, especially when managing both local and global teams with varied schedules. The absence of spontaneous, in-person interactions can lead to extended meetings and lost productivity. The solution:
- Clear expectations: Set clear expectations about tasks and deliverables. This minimizes confusion and reduces the need for lengthy follow-up meetings.
- Scheduled discussions: Regularly scheduled meetings help maintain focus and ensure that team members are aligned on their goals.
- Information sharing: Provide necessary information upfront so that team members can proceed with minimal interruptions.
By adopting these practices, you can streamline communication and keep your team on track.
Strategy #2: Stay Genuine and Celebrate Wins
Remote work can lead to disengagement and low enthusiasm as team members may lose sight of the bigger picture. Keeping your team motivated is essential for sustained progress. And the best way to do that is to use the power of genuine praise and celebration. You can do that with:
- Regular celebrations: Every couple of months, hold a large meeting to celebrate team wins. This helps in recognizing achievements and boosting morale.
- Rewards and recognition: Offering prizes and genuine praise for accomplishments keeps the team engaged and passionate.
- Kickstarting meetings: Starting meetings by celebrating wins sets a positive tone and holds the team’s attention.
These practices ensure that your team feels valued and motivated to continue performing at their best.
Strategy #3: Pay attention to detail
You can make the most of your remote teams by simply being detailed. This can mean taking detailed notes of every meeting and interaction so you can avoid wasted time and missed opportunities caused by miscommunication. It also means preparing notes before meetings. Paying attention to body language can also help you get insights into team reactions and support levels for various ideas. You can maintain clarity and direction by keeping comprehensive records of meetings, decisions, and team feedback.
The dynamics of remote work require new strategies and approaches.
It’s important to remain flexible and open to changing needs. This includes building trust and communication with team members. Proactive planning and communication, genuine celebration of achievements, and detailed note-taking can also significantly improve efficiency and productivity. So can:
- Establishing clear communication channels: Use tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Asana to keep communication organized and efficient.
- Regular check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins to discuss progress, address issues, and ensure alignment.
- Celebrating milestones: Recognize and celebrate milestones to keep the team motivated.
- Creating virtual spaces: The right tools, systems, and processes go a long way to create a virtual environment for remote teams to work together cohisively.
These strategies will help you get the most out of your remote teams, ensuring that your projects stay on track and your team remains engaged and productive.
If you’re interested in getting the most out of your remote team but don’t know where to start, reach out to us and our expert project managers will set you up for success.