The global franchise talks about strategies to manage and motivate remote workers.
According to Cartridge World, millennials are increasingly attracted to the workplace because of the chance of flexibility and technology that allows them to work from anywhere. According to research from Global Workplace Analytics, 3.7 million US employees work from home at least half of the time, and 90 percent of the country’s workforce would like to “telework” at least part time.
Management styles have to adapt to this new way of working, as although they are similar they may need some adjustments. The article noted that managers find the inability to check if a mobile worker is actually working or not the most challenging, but points out that just because someone is at their desk does not mean that they are being productive.
Mobile workers require mentors and guidance rather than an overseer who watches their every move, so it is paramount that clear expectations are set out at the start so that their “results can be managed rather than their activity”, and that “deadlines and a timeline” set a goal for when the work needs to be finished.
Because remote workers work alone and their colleagues are spread wide, it is important to organise meetings where they can all be brought together to encourage teamwork, make decisions, update progress and discuss new ideas. There are tools that can maintain moral and teamwork like video conferences, teleconferences and webinars as well as online forums for team communication and planning.
Managing a remote team requires good communication, and managers should keep in mind that this should be done within the defined hours making sure the workers have the correct technology, software and programmes to make remote communication easy but efficient, and they should have access to screen-sharing and group document editing.
Access to documents is important, and they need both digital and hard copies if necessary, and this requires printing access. Cartridge World’s PrintWorld mobile app allows “on-the-go printing and scanning” from Wi-Fi connected locations where remote workers can access digital and physical documents at their convenience, and in the comfort of a coffee shop.
The app is powered by Samsung PrintWorld, and “more than 96 million” global mobile workers have the capacity to print and scan from their smartphones, tablets or laptops which, according to Cartridge World, makes it a “strategic partner for remote workers and the business leaders looking to optimise and sustain efficient, productive and convenient operations”.