How to Improve Remote Collaboration Effectively?

Working remotely does not always guarantee quick conversations and speedy responses, making remote collaboration difficult. However, there are some simple fixes that you can do to improve remote team collaboration and enhance your business. 

How to Improve Remote Collaboration 

Working through virtual means may have its perks or pros. Some of which include:

• Little to no commute

• Saving money on gas

• Wearing practically whatever you want

• Possibly determining your schedule

However, when you are separated by space and can only interact through screens, remote collaboration can be frustrating. The management of employees who work far from offices becomes harder. It can limit your efficiency to get things done as a group and can cheat you out on building authentic work relationships. Here are some cons that come with remote collaboration.

• It can limit efficiency if one co-worker sleeps in or happens to not get on at the right time.
• You may feel like you are not creating real relationships with staff and co-workers.

To make your remote team collaboration much more enjoyable and efficient, we have compiled some suggestions and remote work strategies for you to consider. Not only can you make yourself more comfortable while working, but you can also become more comfortable with who you work with. 

Bellow are 7 main tips to improve remote collaboration

1. Build a Comfortable Workspace

While working with a remote team, you most likely sit at a desk all day and rarely take breaks to get out of your seat. Therefore, to make the experience better, we highly suggest upgrading your workspace to maximize your comfort and productivity. 

Ergonomic furniture is always the best way to go. These pieces of furniture practically work for you rather than against you. By adjusting to your body, you can perform efficiently and contribute better while working with a remote team. 

If you are in need of a chair, the ErgoChair 2 is one of the best ergonomic chairs you can get. It perfectly forms to your body, containing lots of adjustable features. If you want to go with something a bit more modern, then the ergonomic Kinn Chair is a great choice. Both chairs adjust fantastically according to your body and promote good posture. Plus, they have wheels on the bottom so that you can roll your way to productivity. 

When you are as productive as possible, remote collaboration becomes much better. Your desk has a lot of influence over how you work, and a standing desk could contribute to your daily routine. The SmartDesk 2 is an ergonomic sit/stand desk that lets you transition from sitting to standing with the press of a button. Studies show that standing desks have several health benefits—and when you feel your best, your remote collaboration is much more enjoyable. 

2. Set Clear Goals 

When you are nice and comfortable in your workstation, remote team collaboration is easier. However, there is no way for the entire team to be productive without clear goals. As a team, establish straightforward goals that you all should accomplish and set a due date. Assign each team member a specific part and get to work!

You can record your accomplishments weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly—whatever works for you all. Communication is key, and you can never communicate too much when it comes to marking accomplishments. As a team, accomplishing tasks builds a stronger community and a stronger business. 

3. Schedule Regular Meetings

Since you cannot interact in person, there are few times to meet face-to-face. To solve this issue, working with your remote team to find the time you can all meet for video call meetings. Again, the number of times you all meet is up to your schedule, and the duration may depend on the meetings’ purposes. 

We recommend laying out a firm schedule for these recurring meetings to establish a routine. That way, everyone can stay as productive as possible. You may even want to include some extra time for socializing or talking about miscellaneous topics. You can use these recurring video calls to your advantage, both for work and for social reasons. 

4. Make Sure Everyone Uses Common Programs

Another tip for working with a remote team is to use common programs. There are so many programs out there that offer online platforms specifically for work-related purposes. As a result, the team may not be on the same page regarding which program to use. 

You can lay out the established team programs to use so that there is no confusion and that all work gets completed the same way. Many remote collaboration teams use platforms such as Google Drive, Zoom, and Microsoft Word. 

5. Be Mindful of Miscommunication (Especially Through Written Messages)

Since there is hardly ever any in-person communication, remote working can spur some miscommunications. If you contact each other primarily through email, text, or any other written form, then there is plenty of room for error. When communicating, you can never be too clear. Layout all your ideas as simply as possible. If you are on the receiving end, do not be afraid to ask questions. It is better to bother rather than have an upset client, boss, or team member. 

6. Block Out Time for Team Building 

While working through a computer screen, there is hardly any time to build a connection with coworkers. Thus, if you are planning on scheduling regular meetings, you might as well throw in some time for team building. Not only is this a fantastic way to socialize with your remote team, but it is a great strategy for improving your business. 

Since you cannot really get too interactive with remote team building, this requires some creativity. Virtual home tours, pet introductions, or multiplayer gaming events are some unique ideas. 

7. Create Separate Discussion Channels and Use Multiple Platforms

When you are using the same program for communication for the entire team, messages can get lost in the shuffle. However, if you create separate discussion channels, you can categorize each and be able to find information much quicker in the future. 

This same idea goes for submitting work in general. Using multiple platforms helps submit work based on its category. That way, completely different projects are not stored in the same database. 

Conclusion

Remote collaboration is a generally new thing. However, if you learn how to improve remote collaboration, you can build a better team with better communication essentials  for an overall better business.