How to evolve your company to work with remote employees

Many companies are thinking about going remote. Why? Well, it opens up your talent search to the whole globe, for starters. Plus, it can save a lot of cash when you don't need to keep a physical office running.

There's also research showing remote workers might even get more done and be happier doing it, which means less staff turnover. And, let's not forget, in times like a global pandemic it's definitely the safest and most flexible way to work.

So, how do you start?

Here's 10 things to consider when moving to remote work:

Not a political statement or opinion of Budgetly 😉

Switch up your leadership game

Running a remote team is a whole different ball game compared to managing a regular office. It's all about trust - you can't be there to see everyone working, however, your tools used to measure your pre agreed expectations will tell you if people are delivering outcomes or not.

Chatting is crucial too, because you can't just pop over to someone's desk to check in. And lastly, it's not about clocking in and out, it's about getting results. Less formal, more flexible, but still keeping everyone accountable.

Make sure everyone is set-up to connect virtually to reduce technology stress.

Gear up with the right tech

In a remote setting, having the right tech at your fingertips is like your secret weapon. What do we mean by "right tech"? We're talking about project management tools that keep everyone on the same page, video chat software that makes it feel like you're in the same room even when you're miles apart, and secure access to all the company systems you need.

It's all about making sure your team has everything they need to chat, collaborate, and crush their work, no matter where they're logging in from.

Just like having to show those lanyard IDs to get into the building, your employees need to follow rules around digital security too.

Don't forget about security

When everyone's logging in from different places, data security becomes super important. It's not just about keeping everything locked down (especially your financial data) but also about making sure your data's always good to go when you need it. So, make sure your team's clued in about this.

They need to know what to do to keep things secure and how to deal with any security hiccups. Remember, a team that knows their stuff when it comes to data security is your best bet in keeping everything safe and sound.

Make sure your employees are practicing work-life balance.

Encourage balance

Let your team know it's totally fine to hit pause and chill out for a bit. We're not machines, right? We all need to unplug, recharge, and come back swinging.

So, make sure they get it's okay to log off and take a breather. It's all about keeping things relaxed and balanced.

Celebrating wins can help your employees stay excited about their goals!

Lay out your goals

It's super important to keep your remote team in the loop about what they're aiming for. Giving them clear, achievable goals is a great way to do this. This means goals that are easy to understand, doable, and in line with what the company's trying to achieve.

This helps your team see where they're headed and gives them a reason to stay motivated. Plus, if the goals are easy to measure, you can check how things are going and see if anything needs tweaking.

The Budgetly team uses chat for both work and social conversations 😀

Keep the chat flowing

When everyone's spread out and not sharing the same workspace, staying in touch is super important. Think of it as keeping the conversation going, like you would in an office.

Regular check-ins, updates, and virtual get-togethers help keep everyone in the know. They're a cool way to make sure everyone's on the same page and to sort out any hitches pronto. Keeping the chat flowing makes sure we're all working together, even when we're kilometres apart.

Adding different time zones to your calendar will make it easier when you're scheduling team meetings 😉

Be mindful of time zones

If your team is dispersed globally across various time zones, it's crucial to keep this in mind when planning your meetings and setting deadlines. Each team member might be operating in a significantly different time zone, which could impact their availability and productivity.

So, when scheduling team meetings or assigning deadlines for tasks, ensure that they are set at a time that is convenient for everyone. This not only shows respect for your team's personal time but also fosters a more collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Budgetly lets you instantly issue virtual & physical prepaid cards to your team!

Hand out company cards

Let's not make our team members fork out their own cash for work stuff – reimbursements are so last year! How about giving out company cards instead? It's a fair deal and it also makes keeping track of expenses a whole lot easier.

Plus, no one likes to fill out expense reports, right? With company cards, all the spendings are right there for us to see.

Don't get a feature film made about your business... 

Investigate the legal requirements

It is crucial to ensure that you are in full compliance with all the legal requirements and regulations associated with your work. This means understanding and adhering to the laws related to your industry and your specific operation, including any tax obligations.

This is especially important if your team is based across multiple jurisdictions, as different areas may have different rules and regulations. By ensuring you are following the rules, you can avoid any potential legal issues down the road.

Spirit fingers are perfecting for typing!

Keep the team spirit alive

It's essential to maintain and nurture the team spirit amongst your team members (here's how we do it at Budgetly!). This can be achieved by providing them with the appropriate training they need to enhance their skills and perform their tasks more efficiently. Training not only equips your team with new skills, but it also shows them that you are invested in their professional growth and success.

But remember, all work and no play can make the workplace a dull space. So, don't overlook the importance of fun. Incorporate virtual team-building activities into your routine.

These activities can range from simple games to brainstorming sessions. They serve as an excellent opportunity for the team members to connect with each other, understand each other better, and develop a sense of belonging towards the team.

Despite the physical distance in a virtual setting, these activities can help keep everyone feeling like an integral part of the team, thereby enhancing the overall team spirit.

Virtual high five to you!

Switching to remote work could be a great move for your company when done right. Keep these points in mind and you'll be on track to building an amazing remote team!

To learn more about how you can manage expenses with Budgetly, download our eBook! Or, you can watch this 10-minute demo.