As companies around the world shift to more remote working arrangements, it's important to create and maintain clear communication guidelines for your remote teams. Establishing expectations for how and when to communicate can help ensure everyone is on the same page and can keep projects moving forward.
Doing this will help you set your team up for success and make managing remote teams easier.
1. Establish a communication platform: Choose a communication platform that is suitable for your team, such as Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or WhatsApp, to facilitate regular and effective communication between team members.
2. Set expectations: Make it clear what the expectations are for communication between team members, such as when and how often they should communicate.
3. Set communication protocols: Establish protocols for how team members should communicate with each other, such as using formal language, being respectful, and avoiding personal attacks.
4. Establish a communication chain of command: Establish a chain of command for communication, such as who should be contacted to discuss certain topics and who should be informed of decisions.
5. Create a communication schedule: Create a communication schedule for team members to follow, such as daily check-ins, weekly status updates, and monthly planning meetings.
6. Encourage open communication: Encourage team members to communicate openly and honestly with each other, and provide a safe space for feedback.
7. Promote collaboration: Encourage team members to collaborate and work together on projects, and to use the communication platform to share ideas and resources.
8. Document all communication: Make sure all communication is documented, as this can help with tracking progress and staying organized.
9. Monitor communication: Monitor team communication and make sure it stays professional and respectful.
10. Address any issues: Address any issues that arise promptly to ensure communication remains effective.