Remote work has become a standard practice, enabling teams to collaborate across borders and boundaries. However, one of the biggest challenges remote teams face is ensuring effective communication amidst varying cultures, time zones, and even languages.
Offering opportunities for global collaboration can help companies retain top talent. But first, HR teams need a game plan. With a best-in-class Employer of Record (EOR) in place — and a good communication strategy — you can deliver a connected and supportive experience for all global employees. Let’s explore key strategies to improve communication for remote workers today.
Why are communication strategies for teams crucial in remote settings?
With many companies adopting hybrid working models and flexible arrangements, it’s safe to say that remote work is here to stay. As the labor landscape continues to evolve, this shift towards dispersed teams can make it more challenging to build meaningful connections.
According to a recent Forbes study, 53% of remote workers say it’s harder to feel connected with their coworkers. That’s why seamless team communication is essential to employee morale and business success.
Let’s explore a few key ways that communicating effectively can boost performance for remote teams.
- Improves sense of community. Building a strong connection with team members is key to building a strong community. A solid communication foundation encourages collaboration, team building, and overall trust in your company.
- Keeps employees engaged. Up to 85% of employees claim they are most motivated when regularly updated about company news and information. Encouraging open communication can make team members feel more comfortable to share ideas and opinions.
- Reduces turnover. Implementing an open dialogue within a flexible work culture can also help reduce turnover. After all, employees who feel part of a team are 54% more likely to stay with their current employer.
- Promotes innovation. Workplace collaboration can increase innovation by 15%. Clear communication helps mitigate any unnecessary back and forth and misunderstandings.
- Fosters cross-cultural connection. According to G-P’s 2023 Global Growth Report, leaders say maintaining company culture across regions is a top barrier to building global teams. Strong communication across all global employees, including 1099 workers and remote team members, is key to creating successful teams.
What are the communication best practices for remote teams?
With one in five workers in the U.S. still working remotely after the pandemic, one thing is clear: We’re seeing a significant pivot in corporate culture and employee expectations. As companies and employees continue to navigate this shift away from strictly face-to-face interactions, it’s essential to adapt and align communication methods.
9 Communication Best Practices for Remote Teams |
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Let’s explore a few key communications strategies for remote teams.
1. Build centralized communication channels.
The first step in building successful remote teams is to determine which channels work best for dispersed employees. Tools that streamline written communication can help team members respond promptly to messages and requests.
Platforms such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Discord provide communication benefits that far outweigh the capabilities of an email. For example, employees that use Slack can instant message, share documents, as well as integrate their CRM and project management solutions.
2. Set clear expectations and establish norms.
Be open and set clear expectations to provide remote employees with a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. This will help promote accountability and align efforts towards organizational goals. After all, 44% of employees and 35% of executives value transparency.
Outline team goals, deadlines, and roles to ensure everyone is on the same page while working remotely. Set up clear communication methods for remote employees. While your specific collaboration plan may change depending on the team, make sure to create an environment where everyone feels heard.
3. Conduct regular check-ins.
Due to the popularity of group video calls, one-on-one encounters have decreased in remote work settings. Hold daily, weekly, or even bi-weekly team meetings to discuss progress, address any specific project roadblocks, and keep everyone informed.
Personalities vary when it comes to engaging in group sessions: Some team members are more eager to talk, share the issues they are facing, and ask for support, whereas others are more reserved.
In these cases, empathy is key to making sure everyone is given the opportunity to express themselves. Schedule a short, periodical one-on-one meeting to make it easier for all personality types to open up without the fear of judgment.
4. Pay close attention to cross-cultural nuances.
If you work across borders and boundaries, chances are you have a culturally diverse team. An international team is an asset to any company. Be sure to highlight and respect all of the cultural nuances of your team.
According to G-P’s 2023 Global Growth Report, 51% of employees and 36% executives value cross-cultural communication. A well-rounded communication strategy helps prevent misunderstandings, ensures alignment on priorities and goals, promotes transparency, builds trust, and creates a more cohesive organizational culture.
Additionally, don’t forget to consider how verbal communication may differ across regions. Some cultures are more direct and outspoken, while others are more reserved.
5. Take local norms and laws into account.
When building global teams, pay close attention to local employment laws and norms. Global leaders cite employment laws (47%) and tax regulations (47%) as top barriers to international hiring.
In many cases, your global teams may have different mandatory holidays than your domestic teams. Be sure to research country-specific entitlements to stay compliant. If you’re unsure where to start, a best-in-class Employer of Record (EOR) solution can help your company navigate local employment laws, mandated time off, and compliance to reduce risk.
6. Prioritize time for virtual collaboration.
While asynchronous communication tools are invaluable for cross-team collaboration, be wary of relying solely on this type of communication. After all, up to 69% of remote workers report increased burnout from digital communication tools like messaging apps.
It is essential to actively schedule time for your remote teams to collaborate virtually in real time. Video conferencing tools can help build rapport and strengthen connections among team members. Video conferencing is a key medium of choice for international teams that allows coworkers to see each other, read body language, and connect beyond a simple email.
7. Be mindful of time zones.
Working across time zones while facilitating real-time collaboration can be a challenge for remote teams. Keep time differences in mind when scheduling meetings or sending messages to remote team members.
How can managers build a collaborative team environment without scheduling daily meetings? Pay close attention to meeting cadence. To the extent possible, schedule meetings that don’t require remote team members to work beyond their normal hours. Be sure to set a specific agenda for a meeting, including main priority points for all teams.
8. Evaluate your process regularly.
While you’ve already put in the work to establish strong communication processes, it’s essential to regularly assess how well the process is working. Feedback is crucial for growth and improvement. Schedule regular feedback sessions to discuss performance, provide (and receive) constructive criticism, and address any process issues.
This transparency can help team members understand their own strengths, and the company’s areas for improvement. Be sure to facilitate anonymous, regular, and constructive feedback to help your teams improve and grow professionally.
9. Encourage team-building experiences to foster trust.
Always encourage informal communication among team members alongside any work-related discussions. These informal touch points can help build relationships, boost morale, and even foster a sense of camaraderie within the team. Spark these conversations by organizing team-building experiences, such as: virtual icebreakers, trivia games, or watercooler activities.
Effective team communication is key to building a successful remote workforce. By implementing these best practices, remote teams can enhance collaboration, productivity, and overall performance.
Build global teams quickly and compliantly with an EOR.
Whether you’re growing your team to explore new revenue streams or relocating talent to build a local presence, managing the nuances of global employment can be overwhelming.
Luckily, you don’t have to do it alone. With a reliable EOR like G-P in place, you can hire, onboard, and manage global teams in 180+ countries — without setting up new entities. Our global employment products and EOR solutions simplify and streamline the entire employee lifecycle.
Let us handle the hard part, so you can focus on ensuring effective communication and a positive culture for your remote teams.
