4 Remote Team Tips for Startup Companies

Choosing to go remote for your startup is a huge and important change. You now have access to a wider pool of talent, you’re helping save the earth, and you’re saving your company money too. Set your company up now for remote team success to make it easier down the line as you grow and expand your startup. Check out the following four remote team tips for startup companies.

Four Remote Team Tips for Startup Companies

1. Train managers to manage remotely.

Managing a remote team vs. an in-office team can be a different ball game. Without employees right under their nose, managers will need to adapt to managing from a distance. Establish easy ways for managers to check in with their teams and hold consistent meetings. Be sure managers know the most effective ways to communicate praise–and discipline, when needed. Train your managers to be proactive in their communication and management of employees.

2. Be clear about deadlines and expectations.

Remote work is very independent work. Setting clear deadlines and expectations, and having well-defined roles as well, will help ensure workers know what to do. Make sure projects have set milestones, clear instructions, and an attainable outcome. People like structure and structure will help your remote startup thrive. With everyone on the same page, work will continue without interruption and your employees will be able to work productively.

3. Keep all work organized.

It’s imperative that your employees have access to the right online tools to do their work and communicate with their team. Even if your team is small, invest in tools to coordinate all your work–it’ll make it easier down the line as you add employees. Make sure it’s easy to share documents, track project progress, “see” who’s in the office, and more. Look into tools like Google Drive*, Sococo, instant messaging, GoToMeeting*, etc.

4. Establish a communication hierarchy.

Communication will be the key to your startup’s remote team success. Determine what your line of order will be. On a small team, sometimes it can feel like all hands on deck for even the simplest questions. Figure out who really needs to be contacted for what. Who will employees contact first if there’s a problem? What issues or questions do they need to take to someone other than their boss? When is it okay to use email or instant messaging to communicate and when is it not? Regular, consistent meetings will also help with communication immensely. It’s a great way to disperse team and company information, and will help employees feel connected.

Utilizing these remote team tips for startup companies will be sure to set your remote work journey off on the right foot. These clear boundaries and procedures will serve you well as you grow your startup in a remote work environment.

*Affiliate link