Best Practices for Remote Collaboration

1 Be there (even when you don’t have to be)

When working remotely, it is often tempting to skip those meetings where you are an optional attendee. Who would notice you’re gone anyways, right? Wrong – you’ll notice. And over time, it will make you feel disconnected from your team. So, show up – even when you don’t have to.

2Say cheese

Putting your face in front of your team and theirs in front of you will help you feel connected. A lot of communication comes from body language and facial expressions. So, to get the most out of your interactions, put up that camera and start a video conference whenever possible. The camera not only helps you feel like you are part of the team, but also cuts down on the miscommunication and frustrations that come from conference calling.

3Instant Message

Have a working chat system that is universally adopted in your office. Real-time communication does wonders for remote collaboration. Let’s face it – we don’t always want to hop on a call, but we do often need quick answers. Instant messaging can be the next best thing to dropping by the office or cubicle next door.

4Share your screen

Ever tried to explain a computer problem to someone over the phone? As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. That is especially true with a distributed workforce. Utilizing tools like join.me can save you and your team time, energy and frustration.

5Dress like it matters

Everyone knows that the best benefit of working from home is working in your pajamas. Still, to create a productive space for yourself, consider putting on those pants, brushing your hair and maybe even donning a pair of shoes. These simple physical changes can put you in the right mental space to be productive. Even if your remote office isn’t your home, it can sometimes be tempting to be a bit more lax at a remote office. “Dressing for success” can have a big impact on the way you approach your work.

6Be Transparent