16 Ways to Keep Your Remote Team Focused on Long-Term Goals

Keeping your remote team focused on long-term goals, can be quite difficult for business owners, as you may have employees working from different countries & time zones.

To help you out, here are 16 ways to keep your remote team focused on long-term goals.

Set realistic deadlines

One of the best ways to ensure you don’t miss deadlines is to set realistic ones. When working on a project with a remote team, it's essential to set realistic deadlines that everyone can agree to. That will help to keep things on track and prevent any unnecessary delays. Also, remember that people often work in different time zones, so be sure to factor that in when setting deadlines.

It can also be helpful to break down projects into smaller tasks with deadlines. This way, people can focus on one thing at a time, and you can track progress more efficiently.

Have a clear and concise vision

No matter how small or large your team is, every business should have a clear and concise vision that everyone understands and buys into. It will help keep your team focused on long-term goals and ensure everyone is working towards the same objectives.

It's not only essential to have this vision, but people often require reminding of that vision and how they should go about fulfilling it. So feel free to have weekly standups where you can reiterate the company vision and what each team member is doing to help achieve it.

Communicate, communicate, communicate

This one should go without saying, but communication is key in any business, especially when dealing with a remote team. With everyone working from different locations, it can be easy for things to get lost in translation or for important details to fall through the cracks.

Several ways to help overcome this include using project management tools like Asana or Trello, holding regular video meetings, and having a dedicated chat channel for each team or project. Whatever methods you use, ensure everyone is on the same page and knows what is expected of them.

Encourage regular breaks

When working remotely, they can easily get caught up in their work and need to remember to take breaks. However, it's important to encourage regular breaks to avoid burnout. This can be done by setting reminders or scheduling breaks into the workday.

It's also a good idea to encourage people to take vacation days when needed. This will help them recharge and feel refreshed and ready to work. Consider mandating vacation days, so people don't have an option--some workaholics will never take a day off if left to their own devices.

Encourage collaboration

Working remotely can sometimes feel isolating, so it's important to encourage collaboration among team members. This can be done in several ways, such as holding regular video meetings, using project management tools, or having regular check-ins.

It's also essential to create a culture of collaboration where people feel comfortable working together and aren't afraid to ask for help when needed. This can be done by fostering an open and inclusive environment, encouraging people to share their ideas, and giving everyone a chance to be heard.

Promote a healthy work-life balance

A healthy work-life balance is essential for everyone, but it can be incredibly challenging for those working remotely. Therefore, it's important to encourage your team to take time for themselves outside of work and not let their work life consume them.

One way to promote a healthy work-life balance is to set boundaries – for example, making it clear that people should not be working after hours or on weekends unless it's absolutely necessary. You can also encourage people to take their vacation days and use them to disconnect from work completely.

Encourage social interaction

When people work remotely, feeling isolated and disconnected from others can be easy. This is why it's important to encourage social interaction, both within the team and outside of work.

There are several ways to do this, such as holding regular video meetings, using a chat tool like Slack, or even just setting up a WhatsApp group for the team. You can also encourage people to meet up in person, such as for coffee or lunch.

Make sure everyone feels included

When you're dealing with a remote team, it's important to make sure that everyone feels included and that their voices are being heard. This can be done by holding regular team meetings, using a chat tool like Slack, or even just sending out a weekly email update.

It's also important to give people the opportunity to provide feedback and input on projects. This will help them to feel like they're part of the team and that their opinions matter.

Encourage people to take advantage of their location

One of the great things about working remotely is that people can work from anywhere in the world. This is why it's important to encourage people to take advantage of their location and use it to their advantage.

Hiring internationally fosters workforce diversity, introducing a multitude of fresh skills and ideas alongside valuable local market insights. Leveraging these resources brings a unique perspective to long-term goals, while also transforming your business into a bustling, round-the-clock hub with international colleagues.

For example, if someone is working from a country with a different time zone, they can use that to their advantage by working during times when people in other time zones are asleep. This is one of the best productivity tips for any remote worker.

Encourage communication

When working remotely, it's important to encourage communication to avoid misunderstandings. This can be done by holding regular team meetings, using a chat tool like Slack, or even just sending out a weekly email update.

It's also important to encourage people to ask questions if they're unsure about something. This way, everyone will be on the same page, and there will be fewer mistakes made.

Be available when people need you

Being a good leader means being available when people need you. It means responding to emails and messages and making yourself available for video calls or meetings.

It can also be helpful to set up office hours, where people can schedule a time to meet with you if they need to. This way, you can be sure that everyone can get the help and support they need.

Be clear about KPIs

When working with a remote team, it's important to be clear about the key performance indicators (KPIs). This way, everyone knows what they need to focus on and what they need to achieve.

It can also be helpful to set up regular check-ins, where people can update you on their progress and receive feedback. This way, you can ensure that everyone is on track and that the team is meeting its goals.

Make it clear that remote workers can be promoted and recognized

When working with a remote team, it's crucial to make it clear that people can be promoted and recognized for their work. That will help to motivate people and encourage them to do their best.

There are several ways to do this, such as giving people bonuses, awarding them with certificates or trophies, or even just giving them a mention in an email or on social media.

Allow anonymous feedback

To get honest feedback from your team, it's essential to allow anonymous feedback. This way, people will feel free to share their thoughts and opinions without fear of retribution.

There are many ways to do this, such as using a tool like Survey Monkey or Google Forms. You can also create a dedicated email address where people can send their feedback.

Set both team and individual goals for people to work towards

Setting team and individual goals are essential when working with a remote team. This way, everyone has something to work towards and a sense of accountability.

It's also essential to ensure that the goals are realistic and achievable. Otherwise, people will become discouraged and may start to feel like their work is pointless.

Make progress visible

When working with a remote team, it's important to make progress visible. This way, everyone can see how the team is doing and what still needs to be done.

There are many ways to do this, such as creating a project management tool like Trello or Asana. You can also use a physical board with post-it notes or a simple spreadsheet.

It is essential to ensure everyone has access to the same information and is regularly updated. This way, everyone will be on the same page and aware of what needs to be done.

Conclusion

Following these 15 tips can keep your remote team focused on long-term goals. By setting clear goals, providing feedback, and making progress visible, you can ensure that everyone is aware of what needs to be done and that they are motivated to do their best.