There are plenty of tools that make it possible for you to work together on your own or in teams, no matter where you are. Learning the best collaboration practices is even more important now with remote working. Here is a handful of pointers you can use right away:
Keep Communication as Clear and Simple as Possible
Good communication is key when you are not face-to-face, so keep your communication as clear and concise as possible. Be as specific as necessary about what needs doing and give as much detail as needed about how to go about completing the task at hand. It would be best to document everything so there is a record of conversations and decisions made. Everything should be done through a task management system, either a physical board or an electronic one. Outlook Contacts and Microsoft Teams Planner can be great tools for this!
Get Everyone on the Same Page With Online Communication Tools
The way you communicate with your team is important. Try to use the same communication tool for all of your interactions, whatever that may be. Choose this tool carefully and then stick with it, so everyone gets used to using that platform for communicating. You can then have additional backup options if something is not possible on a certain channel. Be sure to schedule some time each day to check messages and reply. Ideally, this process should take no more than 30 minutes but aim to do it at least once a day so you do not get behind on anything. Do not forget to check in with team members in other time zones periodically.
Use Video Conferencing for Important Meetings
When it comes to face-to-face communication, using video is the next best thing to being in the same room as someone. This is especially important when you need to get a sense of someone's body language or if you need to discuss something time-sensitive. You can use tools like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Hangouts for this. If there are disagreements or debates, make sure to have a note-taker so everyone can review what was discussed later on.
Keep Track of Who Is Doing What With Task Management Software
As mentioned before, it is important to document everything, and using a task management system is a great way to do that. This also helps keep everyone on the same page about what they are working on and when they are supposed to be finished. You can use various tools for this, both electronic and physical. If you go with an electronic tool, ensure everyone has access to it and knows how to use it. There are many different task management software options, so find one that suits your team's needs.
These are just some of the tips on how to collaborate and manage your workload remotely effectively. Many other things can be done to make remote collaboration successful, so be sure to research the topic if you are interested. And remember, it is always best to start small when working with a new team because there are many uncertainties when you first start. These tips should help get you started!
Priority Management is a worldwide training company with 55 offices in 15 countries. We have successfully trained more than two million graduates in Priority workshops. Our programs help companies and people be more effective and manage their workflow in and out of the office by providing tools, processes and discipline. Simply put - A Better Way To Work! Clients range from Fortune 500 companies, small-to-medium businesses and government/military employees.
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