● Take advantage of available resources. There are lots of them!
● Have an open door – let your team know you’re available.
● Be the boss – communication starts with you.
● Be sympathetic – remember, this is a crisis.
Amid a pandemic, hundreds of unprepared businesses are being forced to work remotely. For many businesses this is new and uncharted territory, leading for confusion amongst managers, business owners and employees.
It’s not surprising that, between the crisis on hand and being out of the office, communication has been worse than ever for businesses. Without set work hours or a specific schedule, managers are struggling to keep their team controlled and to touch base with them.
If you’re in this position, a business manager struggling to communicate effectively with your team in the face of a pandemic, then you’re in luck; we’re here to give you some tips.
Take Advantage of Resources
One Google search and you will have millions of resources at your fingertips to help you keep your team in touch. Zoom and Skype are effective resources to help with meetings and it may help to use a resource that allows cameras, that way it’ll help to keep everyone accountable.
Having trouble keeping track of where everyone’s at and what they’re doing? Slack can help. Slack helps businesses keep in touch and communicate without having to get on the phone or text. You can set to-do lists for your employees and easily ask them for regular updates.
Google Calendar can help you schedule certain activities and keep track of what’s supposed to be done on specific days. As a manager, especially at this time, it’s difficult to know what an employee is working on what. Google Calendar can help to keep you organized.
Have An Open Door
This is new and uncharted territory for everyone, especially your employees. Nobody is sure about what will happen next and everyone is adjusting to working remotely. No doubt employees will need help and guidance to get through this crisis.
Be available. Let your team know that you’re open to questions. Set aside an hour or two a day that you devote towards your team and allow them to ask you questions. This will give them
time to fill you in on what’s going on and let you know how they’re doing. Your team needs to feel as if you’re present and available before they’ll feel comfortable going to you.
Be In Control
If you’re the boss, you must act like it. During a crisis, employees have to have someone to turn to and someone that they know is in charge no matter what. You need to take control and set an example.
Have daily check-ins and despite the crisis, always remain calm in front of your team. Reassure their job positions, but be upfront about where the company is at. If you’re expecting your team to communicate with you, it starts with you. Start with Skype or Zoom calls and constantly touch base with your team about what’s going on. They should never be hesitant to call you if needed.
Be Sympathetic
Most of all, it’s important that you’re sympathetic towards your team. This is a difficult time for everyone and nobody has it all figured out. Although you want to stay in touch, it’s also important to remember that everyone is struggling right now.
Your team is adjusting to working remotely with countless distractions around them daily. Be understanding and ensure that you don’t overwhelm them. Don’t set expectations higher than normal and remember that we’re going through a crisis; not everything will go smoothly.