Individuals

The ability to work independently is one of the benefits of remote work, however it can be easy to lose focus. Build internal accountability so you can maintain productivity while working remotely.

Manage your time

Without the structure of a traditional office environment, it's easy to lose track of time or become overwhelmed by tasks. Here are some strategies to manage your time more effectively:

• Set clear goals: begin each day with a list of specific goals you aim to achieve. Break down l…

Managing a remote team can make it hard to know how people are feeling. Don’t leave it up to chance, pay attention to changes and keep lines of communication open.  

One of the primary concerns for managers of remote teams is recognising signs of stress in their employees. Unlike traditional office settings where face-to-face interactions can provide visual cues, remote work requires more nuanced approaches. It’s important to pay attention and address issues early.

Have you noticed?

• Changes…

Running an engaging remote meeting takes skill and planning. Virtual meetings can be a time sink. With a bit of planning and consideration, you can make them engaging and productive.

 Prepare

Set clear objectives: the first step in preparation is defining the purpose of the meeting. What do you hope to achieve? Clear objectives help keep the meeting focused and ensure that all participants understand why they are there.

Choose the right platform: not all video conferencing tools are created e…

Don't let your remote team drift.

When you focus on understanding what drives your team, setting clear goals, encouraging continuous learning, fostering a positive environment and recognising achievements, you help to keep your remote team motivated and focused on organisational goals.

Take Action

Understand what motivates your team

People need a mix of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators to perform at their best.  Intrinsic motivators are internal, and include personal growth, job satisfacti…

Culture is not about mandating “fun” team activities, it’s the shared values, beliefs, and behaviours that shape how employees interact and work together.

In remote settings, work culture is built by how you interact and collaborate virtually. It's about creating an environment where team members feel connected and engaged despite not sharing a physical space.

Why it matters

When you emphasise values-based behaviours, team members are more likely to support one another, make decisions that re…

In an office trust builds organically. In a remote team you need to intentionally schedule activities that build trust.

Why It Matters

Trust is the cornerstone of any successful team, but it's especially crucial for remote teams. Without face-to-face interactions, misunderstandings can easily arise, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.

Building trust in your team helps to create an environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions, and seeking feedba…

Employee monitoring software is becoming increasingly popular. But research shows that keeping such a close eye on employees can reduce rather than boost engagement, productivity, and worker retention.

What is bossware?

Bossware is a catch-all term for employee monitoring software.

This software is designed to measure an employee’s productivity during a workday by tracking some or all of the following:

• Mouse movements;
• Keystrokes;
• Internet browsing history;
• Visibility of employee throug…

We spoke with agile expert Rita Tattersall about stand-ups and agile in the context of remote, hybrid and distributed workplaces.

Why It Matters

Agile stand-up meetings remain highly effective for team communication in a remote environment. While there is media debate about strictly adhering to agile principles versus adapting them, this discussion is sometimes superficial and can hinder effective teamwork. Context is crucial, and both pure agile and customised approaches have their place. IT …

You might think that virtual brainstorming sessions are less effective than in-person ones, but that's not necessarily true. In fact, when done correctly, virtual brainstorming can be more productive, inclusive, and efficient than traditional face-to-face sessions.

Why it matters

Remote work doesn’t have to be a barrier to innovation, it can enhance it. Teams that intentionally redesign their idea generation process for the remote environment can:

• Harness diverse perspectives: With virtual …

Unlocking the true power of remote work means mastering the art of virtual teamwork – and it's a skill that can make or break your success.

Why It Matters

The collective intelligence of a team is far greater than the sum of its individual parts. This intelligence can elevate every phase of a project, from initial brainstorming to final review.

But here's the catch: the communication challenges introduced by remote work can undermine your team's collaborative efforts. That's why it's crucial t…