Managing a remote workforce is a much different task than managing a workforce that is concentrated at one single location. Remote workers have existed for many years; however, it is a way of working that has dramatically increased in recent years due to changes in the economy at large and very specifically the rise of the internet.
But the good news is that there are many ways to manage this and modern technology has made this easier. This simple employer’s guide gives you some handy and useful hints and tips to better do this.
IMAGE: PEXELS
Scheduling
Scheduling is essential, and unless you want to have your workers check-in at the base every morning, which is time-consuming and not always possible, then you need a system. Very basically, you could just text our email assignments and hope that the workers keep track, but this will be a bit hit and miss depending on the individual worker’s level of organization. A much better idea is probably to use scheduling software; these can be used to set tasks and mark them off as completed; most can be accessed via phone apps, making it very easy to operate.
Keeping Track Of Progress
Progress will be tracked in it’s most basic form by your scheduling software. But we will also want to know how workers are coping, why jobs are going quickly or slowly. So we must keep lines of communication open and have regular chats, even just by phone.
Vehicles
Company vehicles are an essential part of a remote team. You can keep track of them using a tracking system, it’s easy to install, and you can see where the vehicles have been and where they are currently. You’ll have your own fleet of cars, but now and again, you might need to hire an extra one, find a good, reliable hire firm such as GlobeCar.com.
Customer Satisfaction
Another area you need to be on top of is customer satisfaction. Now, if your customers visit your premises, this would be simple as you could see if they were happy and even talk to them and discuss any issues.
These days if you have a remote worker do a job for them, the first you may know about an unhappy customer, it’s a bad Google review. You’ll want to pre-empt this, give every customer a chance to provide you with feedback, perhaps via an online survey, or if you have the time a phone call to check if they are happy.
Equipment & Resources For Workers
Your remote workers will need things from time to time. It can be anything from stationery supplies to uniforms etc. You could have it delivered to their home address, or have accounts at suppliers that they are allowed to access up to certain limits. Fuel is another one, either you get them to buy it themselves and reclaim it on expenses, or give them a fuel card account that allows them to top up the company vehicle.
If you are interested in even more technology-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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