Leverage These 3 Tips for Managing Your Remote Team
Remote work is more than just a fad. As the COVID pandemic continues to sweep the globe, many experts predict that remote and virtual work will only increase in popularity, even after workers are allowed to return to the office. Employers are increasingly discovering that remote teams are often more productive. However, effective management of these teams is essential. To make the most of your virtual assistant(s), we recommend applying the following tips to effectively manage your remote teams:
1. Schedule Regular Check-Ins
There are a few different ways to check in with your remote virtual assistant, even if they’re located in Peru. Several tools can help you communicate readily with your virtual assistant, such as Slack, email, and phone. However, face-to-face interactions can also be helpful. We like tools like Google Team Hangouts and Zoom. Virtual check-ins:
- Lead to more effective troubleshooting. When you and a virtual assistant are tackling a business task, problem-solving is much more effective face to face compared to email.
- Create better non-verbal understanding. While Slack can be an effective form of communication, it can also be impersonal. Video platforms like Zoom can help you connect better with your virtual assistant, even if they’re located in Honduras.
Regular communication over multiple channels is essential to make sure your team is meeting your expectations. Even the best virtual assistant will benefit from direction and dialogue. Making your expectations known and tracking progress is crucial to the success of your remote team.
2. Have Measurable Objectives and Outcomes
To help your team stay on track and manage your own expectations, work to create measurable outcomes and objectives for your virtual assistant. For example, if your virtual assistant primarily helps with marketing, identify time-phased targets that they should be meeting (for example, gaining X more social media followers). Set your dedicated virtual assistant up for success by clearly delineating the tasks they are responsible for, why they are important, and make sure they understand how you will measure success. Define the scope of each task, desired deliverables, and the timeline for completing each task. This will help you all keep on track, even if you are working hundreds of miles apart.
At the same time, it’s also crucial to avoid micromanaging. It’s not possible to manage every aspect of your remote team’s work, and less stress is likely one of the reasons you hired a dedicated virtual assistant in the first place! Don’t focus on things like hours worked or online time. Focusing on outcomes and deliverables can help you manage the success of your virtual assistant and identify new tasks as necessary.
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Step 3: Assure The Right Fit
Not everyone can work remotely with success. As such, it is essential to ensure that you have the right person for the tasks you are looking to fulfill. The best virtual assistant:
- Has the ability to prioritize
- Can readily adapt to new tasks and environments
- Is collaborative
- Communicates well
- Is independent and self-motivated
- Has superb organization
- Is reliable
- Has a result-oriented mindset, and;
- A strong work ethic.
To succeed in a virtual environment, it is also essential for a virtual assistant to be tech-savvy. Remote work technology is rapidly evolving, and your business may also rely on proprietary applications, customer relationship management software, and website software. It is essential to find a virtual assistant who, even if they don’t have relevant certifications, is open to learning about new ways of working. To discover these qualifications when hiring a virtual assistant, try holding interviews over multiple channels like email, Zoom, or Slack. Using a multitude of methods can help pinpoint a virtual assistant’s skills. Email, for example, can test their writing ability and responsiveness, while video chatting can determine a candidate’s level of non-verbal communication and cultural fit with your needs.
Find The Perfect Remote Worker With Virtual Latinos
Remote workers are productive and help you run your business more effectively. Whether you are looking for someone to take on general administrative tasks for a specialized assistant to help with marketing or sales or need help with payroll, we have an assistant who can help. Using our Virtual Latino directory, you can browse by certification, location, and more. Our virtual assistant agency can also help you find the perfect candidate for your needs. Our virtual assistants are located all over South and Central America, including countries like Peru, Mexico, Venezuela, El Salvador, and more. To learn more about the services we offer, please contact us or read about our process.
