Remote work presents opportunities and challenges in equal measure. Several studies have found that leveraging remote work results in booms to both productivity and cost reduction. Yet organizations find it difficult to properly hire, attract, and retain remote talent. The talent gap is widening and companies are struggling to compete.

How are organizations modifying their current hiring and team management systems to accommodate these rapid changes? 

Balance is key when implementing new systems. As such, creating a baseline for remote work is of the utmost importance.

1. Increasing transparency

Creating a balanced remote team relies on transparency. Many issues that arise for remote teams are the same that keep in-house teams down as well. Typically it is clarity that is needed to resolve issues from top to bottom. Clarity regarding operational protocols, deadlines, and expectations. Many traditional companies still rely on social pressure and insinuation in order to get their goals across. However, social pressure is far less effective online. 

Instead, the somewhat uncomfortable process of open information sharing is the only way to procure a remote team that feels engaged and supported. Oftentimes, it will be teams cross delegating work that will cause misfires and errors. 

Guaranteeing that your company uses an open messaging system and a workflow space that is accessible to your teams is an incredibly crucial step in balancing remote work. A team that is transparent will see the goal clearly on the other side. 

2. Integrating agile management principles

The agile method and its principles have been in use for over twenty years. They provide a groundwork for project management philosophy that has been proven to work wonderfully in organizations of all kinds. Things like open communication, group work, and positive reinforcement are included in the philosophy and underscore the larger core point of the blueprint. 

Iterative design is the basis of the methodology and just as it serves to create better products it also serves as a remedy for developers everywhere. It forces teams to interact and managers to manage. It lays out expectations and guidelines to produce a more efficient team that is informed and unstressed. Integrating agile methodology is a sure-fire way to create a more dynamic team that feels seen and heard. Balancing remote work through agile is an important step to creating an environment where both the developers and the managers flourish. 

3. Leveraging remote work hiring platforms

Fortunately, finding remote work and balancing remote work can be accomplished through the same channels. Sometimes a task must be split or a consultant needs to be brought in to bring things up to speed. Either way, remote platforms are there to help your organization find a way through the storm that is operational dynamics. 

Some platforms connect you directly to remote work consultants while others have integrated workspaces that make tracking work a breeze. Leveraging remote work platforms to your advantage might be all you need to correct course and keep the high wire act above ground.

4. Creating clear boundaries

Another important step to creating balance is to establish clear boundaries that workers can operate within comfortably. Without guidance, developers will begin to feel aimless and like there isn’t a definitive end to their projects. This will harshly lower morale and motivation to the point of organizational catastrophe. Effectively countering this means that organizational leaders must set clear goals for each team and then advance those goals once accomplished. Establishing true leadership through protocols and expectations will help the entire organization run like a well-polished schooner. 

Conclusion

Remote work balance is hard to achieve, even for the most seasoned remote executives. It is crucial to increase transparency to sustain strong communication policies. Using agile management principles is also key as there will need to be a little trial and error before your organization solidifies its policies. 

Leveraging remote work hiring platforms is the easiest way to achieve remote work balance as these experts can bring a sorely-needed perspective to your team. They can greatly simplify and optimize your projects. 

It is critically important to set clear boundaries and improve information sharing throughout the entire company. After all, there is no remote work balance without clear and concise communication.