I T ’ S E A S I L E R T H A N Y O U T H I N K

4 Ways to Integrate Remote WorkersInto Your Existing On-Site Team

R E A D Y T O G R O W ?

Let’s say your company already has an in-office crew, and you want to reinforce your infrastructure by bringing on new talent. That may seem simple on the surface, but what if those new faces will never have a cubicle, desk or office on site.

2

4 Ways to Integrate a Remote WorkerInto Your Existing On-Site Team

Here are some reasons to consider a remote team member:

www.belaysolutions.com

3

4

T H E P R O B L E M

1. Understand Roles and Functions

Working from home has its positives, but sometimes the very structure of a virtual position inadvertently triggers distance in one’s knowledge bank. The offsite worker may not get a sense of the real ins and outs of people’s roles.

They may benefit from greater clarity about positions and functions at the outset.

www.belaysolutions.com

5

T H E F I X

1. Understand Roles and Functions

• Coordinate times for your virtual team members to talk with onsite staff in their early days on the job. This builds rapport and fosters understanding about different roles and moving pieces within the organization.

• Here’s a tool to help map out what your organizations looks like on paper: (LINK)

6

T H E P R O B L E M

2. Professional Development

Sometimes offsite workers begin to sense that out of sight is out of mind if they miss out on professional development opportunities. This may occur in the form of casual in-person mentoring by a senior team member to more structured trainings, such as industry seminars, annual group meetings or special conferences.

7

T H E F I X

2. Professional Development

• Include virtual employees in your annual professional development budgets. • Invite them to travel attend industry events or conferences, particularly if other staff attend

similar occasions as well. • Don’t forget about other venues for continuous learning, such as webinars and virtual

events.

8

T H E P R O B L E M

3. An Atmosphere of Inclusion

When more people are in the office than not, those who are away miss out on daily activity that builds internal camaraderie. Office-based colleagues may unintentionally reference events or anecdotes for which the offsite coworker has no point of reference. This can create feelings of isolation and difference.

9

T H E F I X

3. An Atmosphere of Inclusion

• Share funny happenings and work highlights with virtual team members, even if they didn’t witness or in any way participate in the episode.

• Bring them up in watercooler conversations via instant messaging apps or during ice breakers before video meetings.

• Ask the virtual worker about any humorous moments on their end or just highlights from their week.

10

T H E P R O B L E M

4. Being Seen and Heard

Virtual workers need to feel entrusted and empowered to do their jobs, just as they would within an office. While work-from-homers need not feel like they’re being surveilled, they can appreciate times when they get see and hear their colleagues.

11

T H E F I X

4. Being Seen and Heard

• Embed visual technologies, like videoconferencing and the use of webcams, into your practices.

• Be careful not to create a culture where remote workers feel put “on the spot;” designate meetings for which all in attendance are expected to be “facetime ready” for their close-up.

12

We want to hear from you.

Numbers forecast the virtual workers will continue to dominate workplace trends in 2017.

How has your startup, nonprofit, faith-based organization, small business or established company involved remote team members with your on-location staff? Have these strategies worked for you?

Growing an organization is difficult in our demanding world. BELAY provides virtual solutions to help you realize growth.

We staff specialists in bookkeeping, copywriting, web support, and administrative assistance who become an extension of your organization—matching the right person with the right skills to meet your needs.

BELAY equips you with trusted support that allows you to focus on your goals, navigate operational gaps, alleviate risk, and free up your organization to climb higher.

O U R P R O M I S E

www.belaysolutions.com

Grateful.

C O N T A C T

P

E

1-800-55BELAY (1-800-552-3520)

info@belaysolutions.com