As more business owners are choosing to embrace the remote workforce model, managing a distributed team has become a critical skill. Although there are some overlaps, managing a remote team has some unique requirements compared to managing an in-person team. 

Here are some key strategies and best practices for successfully leading a remote team.
 
1. Protect all company issued devices
 
There are several reasons to protect all devices you issue to your employees, even when they’re remote and you’ll probably never have their device in your possession. Protection applies to the physical device as well as software and data. Here’s why you can’t ignore this:
 
·  Repairs and replacements are expensive. With each device you issue, be sure to put it in a protective case you know to be reliable, and write it into the contract that all devices are to remain in their cases at all times.

·  Data security risks. Any device that houses sensitive company data is at risk for data breaches and other cyberattacks. Installing antivirus software and applications to encrypt email are just two examples of mandatory security features. The software you need may be different, so check with a cybersecurity specialist.

·  Skipped backups can be devastating. Data backups should already be part of your business continuity plan, but don’t forget about employee devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

2. Use easy collaboration tools
 
Smooth collaboration is central to a remote team’s success, and the best way to facilitate collaboration is by using the right software. Which application will be best for you depends on the complexity of your daily tasks.
 
For example, Basecamp is full of features that make collaborating easy, whether you need to share information, videos, links, files, and more. The intricate way of connecting tasks to milestones and tracking progress is unmatched, although it does come with a learning curve. However, if you just need basic task management, Asana is smooth and simple.
 
3. Use a common communication application
 
There will always be new communication software introduced into the market attempting to undercut the prices of the main players, but it’s almost never good enough. There is a reason business owners use the paid version of Slack, for example. It comes with better features and makes teamwork a breeze.
 
If you force remote employees to use subpar applications just to save money, they’ll get frustrated, and their productivity will drop. Usually, the most well-known applications are at the top for a reason – they’re efficient and have been constantly tweaked to be the best over many years.
 
4. Consider productivity monitoring tools
 
There are a few main productivity monitoring tools out there – Hubstaff, Toggl, and Kickidler. With this type of tool, you can monitor and track time spent on project segments in real time. This can help you not only monitor employees, but also figure out if there are any bottlenecks nobody’s reporting.
 
If you use a more robust option, like Kickidler, you can actually monitor your employees’ activity online, record and replay their activity histories, and keep cybersecurity requirements up to date.
 
5. Consider how you’ll track time
 
Time tracking is essential for hourly remote employees, but you may not like the idea of tediously tracking every minute with yet another application you have to pay for and manage. However, most business owners believe it’s worth the extra cost and time because they don’t want employees to take advantage of their freedom.
 
The argument in favor of not tracking time and focusing on results is that measuring productivity based on hours worked only measures how successful that employee is at showing up for work. Outcomes matter more than hours, since that’s what drives success. It’s up to you which one you think is best.
 
6. Train your employees on how to plan their tasks
 
Remote workers need to be excellent with time management and task planning, but that doesn’t always match reality. Sometimes you need to train people, and the more specifically you can train them, the better.
 
Once you’ve worked with a team for a while, you’ll have a good idea regarding what works and how you flow best. Take this knowledge and incorporate it into an official training for new hires so they know exactly how to blend in with the team from day one. They’ll still need time to learn, but it will be much easier for everyone.
 
Remote teams aren’t hard to manage
 
Managing a remote team doesn’t have to be difficult – it just requires shifting the way you approach communication, meetings, and collaboration to be effective in a digital, virtual environment.