Working from home has now become a new norm for some. While it has its own perks, it also comes with challenges– one of them is creating seamless communication. As employees can’t see their co-workers face-to-face, it can be pretty tough to make sure that everyone is on the same page about a task and project.
If you’re struggling to communicate effectively while working from home, here are some tips that might help:
1) Schedule regular check-ins
Have a daily or weekly catch-up with your team where everyone can voice any concerns or updates. By doing this, you can ensure that everyone has the same understanding of the project and no one falls behind. This is also a great opportunity to brainstorm ideas together.
2) Create a communication protocol
If you’re working on a project with someone who is based in the office, make sure to set some ground rules for communication. Remember that working from home doesn’t mean that you have to be online 24/7.
This can include things like how often you should be messaging each other and what times are best for calls/video chats. It helps everyone to understand the boundaries and expectations upfront.
3) Utilize remote communication tools
Thanks to the internet. Now you can communicate with your team without even being in the same room. There are a number of great remote tools available that can help with this, such as Slack, Zoom, and Google Hangouts. You can also make use of explainer videos as communication tools for training purposes.
You can also utilize project management software to make sure that all tasks and updates are documented and easily accessible. This way, you don’t have to spend time sending long emails or messages that can get lost in people’s inboxes.
4) Commit to a platform that only works best for your team
There are indeed plenty of communication tools out there. But, it doesn’t mean that you have to use every single one of them. Find the platforms that work best for you and your team and stick to them.
Trying to use too many tools can actually do more harm than good as it can be confusing and overwhelming. There will be too much noise which can be a reason for employees’ burnout and unproductivity.
5) Use visuals
Sometimes when we’re working remotely, it can be tough to know what the other person is talking about when you communicate through live messaging or chat. This is where visuals come in handy. For HR managers, they can even share employee onboarding videos for new hires instead of text-based manuals that are not only overwhelming but often lead to miscommunication too.
Consider sending a quick video or screenshot to help explain what you mean. This can save a lot of time and frustration, especially when dealing with complex concepts.
6) Be specific
The last thing you want is for there to be a miscommunication about a task and for it to end up costing you time and money. So, make sure that when you’re communicating with your team, you’re being clear and concise about what you need from them. It means that you have to be specific about deadlines, tasks, and objectives.
If there’s any room for misinterpretation, it can quickly lead to problems down the road. So take the time to explain things thoroughly and avoid any confusion from the get-go.
Summing Up
Working from home has its own challenges, but with a bit of effort, you can make sure that communication is one less thing you have to worry about. With those best practices mentioned above, now you’re ready to create and maintain buttery-smooth communication with your remote team, no matter how many miles apart you are.
Author
Andre Oentoro is the founder of Breadnbeyond, an award-winning explainer video company. He helps businesses increase conversion rates, close more sales, and get positive ROI from explainer videos (in that order).
Twitter: @breadnbeyond
Email: andre@breadnbeyond.com
LinkedIn: Andre Oentoro