Remote work is no longer a trend—it’s become the norm for many companies. With organizations looking to remote staffing agencies to locate qualified professionals globally, how they manage these dispersed teams has become a high priority.
If you are employed by a remote staffing agency and wish to make your team work well, here are some useful tips on how to manage them.
Set Clear Expectations from Day One
All successful teams begin with expectations. When dealing with a remote staffing agency, getting on the same page with what you’re expecting from the talent you’re hiring upfront is crucial.
Outline work hours, communication protocols, performance standards, and project deadlines. Get everything in writing so there is no misunderstanding later. This makes the team feel secure in what’s expected and provides you with a solid foundation to establish trust.
Use the Right Tools
Remote teams require the proper digital tools to remain connected and productive. Whether it’s project management tools like Trello and Asana, or communication tools like Slack and Zoom, the right tools can bridge the gap created by distance.
Make sure your remote team knows which tools to use for what purpose. Resist tool fatigue by using a lightweight tech stack with essentials only: communication, project management, time tracking, and file sharing.
Maintain Regular Communication
Out of sight must never mean out of mind. Keep checking in with remote teams, particularly those who’ve been hired by a staffing agency and might not necessarily feel part of the fold initially.
Schedule weekly team meetings and one-on-one catch-ups to discuss progress, resolve blockers, and offer feedback. Regular and formal communication fosters accountability and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Build a Culture of Trust and Inclusion
Creating a feeling of connection is critical when your team is distributed across time zones or continents. This is particularly important for employees hired through a remote staffing agency, who may not share the same amount of interaction as internal employees.
Open up dialogue, acknowledge team successes, and individual achievements. To make the remote experience more engaging, consider implementing virtual coffee breaks or relaxed Friday calls.
Focus on Results, Not Activity
Micromanaging a remote team can do more harm than good. Rather than measuring how long someone is online, measure what’s actually being accomplished.
Establish quantifiable objectives and monitor results. Remote workers, particularly those who are hired from a remote staffing agency, are goal-oriented when they realize that their success is output-based, not activity-based.
This also creates a feeling of independence, a significant motivator in remote workspaces.
Provide Timely Feedback and Support
Remote team members may feel disconnected if they’re not sure how they’re doing. Make feedback a standard part of your management practice—not only at formal reviews.
If someone’s performing exceptionally well, let them know. If there’s an area for improvement, direct them constructively. Teams recruited by a remote staffing agency tend to welcome feedback that clarifies client expectations better.
Also, be present to answer questions or share resources when necessary. Timely support makes remote workers feel respected and enabled.
Align with the Staffing Agency
Finally, keep your remote staffing agency in good terms. Provide feedback on the team, ask for replacements if necessary, and communicate openly about your changing needs.
The agency may be able to assist with onboarding, paperwork, or even conflict management. Engage with them as partners—not simply service providers—so they are able to serve your team more effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, effectively managing remote teams involves more than assigning tasks. It takes communication, empathy, organization, and the appropriate tools. When your staff is hired through a remote staffing firm, these disciplines become even more important to provide alignment and productivity.
With the right approach, remote teams can become a long-term asset to your business—delivering results and bringing fresh perspectives from across the globe.
