5 Ways to Build Effective Communication within Remote Groups

Remote, the word itself has such an automated touch to it. With the lockdowns, social distances, and other guidelines, remote communication has become the final resort for companies to run. It is a world-known fact that nothing, including life, can go on without communication. The more the distance, the more the gap in communication, but with the advanced technologies and tools provided by the century, we indeed have nothing to worry about. According to a study, nearly half of the US prefer working remotely or from home, allowing them to work at their rate and space.

No matter how many ‘Gs’ (4G, 5G) may be introduced, remote communication through online platforms still has its glitches and shortcomings. We want to help you overcome any sorts of hurdles to sustain your remote team effectively. So, here’s five ways to build effective communication with your remote groups.

Let’s begin with getting to know more about remote communication.

This form of communication is introduced when people communicate over electronic devices and other tools like telephone, mobile phone, email, video conference, etc. It comes in place when face-to-face communication is not possible and is also called virtual communication. Remote team communications are essential to keep the tie between the members and update each other’s progress.

Ensure your team is comfortable with the decisions made, invite everyone to pitch in, and contribute to the discussion. People tend to relax a little more than needed; hence, a video conference would energize and put them in work mode. Having a face-to-face chat virtually could be data-consuming but brings an effective result for remote team communication. Adapting to updated platforms that encourage team building and remote communication, like Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, WebEx, and other community applications. Another example is Basecamp, where workers can chat directly with each other and share documents and files, tasks and doubts, call and chat, which gets the work done faster.

Setting a goal for each team member at the start of the day can make them aware of their day ahead. This remote team communication can connect co-workers and keep them aware of the other. Submission of a daily activity report at the end of the day can help employees keep their tasks on track and progress upright. Using applications to track the team’s progress and give feedback can be very useful and more accessible. Once the team is aware of their expectations, they will strive to put maximum effort into meeting them.

It is essential to strengthening the affinity within a team, although we are not physically next to the other, and it is possible through the digital platforms before us. Maintaining the office spirit when in a remote place is difficult, but we can help you create one. Here are some suggestions to break the ice and build fellowship and upgrade the small team communication:

. Virtual lunch
. Break-out room activities
. Surprise Happy Hours
. Online team building activities and events
. Coffee breaks
. Outfit of the day shout outs
. Fun challenges during work hours

The online platform can be more deceiving and distracting. The remote mode of communication can allow employees to not paying attention and nod to get the conversation over with, watch something else during meetings, take care of work at home or even be asleep during sessions. To avoid such distractions and hurdles, using visual images, videos, or info graphs can be very useful to keep the entire remote team intact. It can help grab attention and also understand the discussions better, making the communication to be effective. Some tips to keep in mind if you want their attention are:

. Don’t overcrowd the slide with words
. Use simple color schemes and a professional layout
. Use appropriate pictures and videos
. Make charts and graphs to explain

Using visual communication in remote team communication mode has been proved to be very effective. It helps me remember points and understand concepts better. Adding to it, presentations on this mode can become more fruitful.

Remote Team Communication is challenging and scary but using various measures to overcome the hurdles is something we ought to try. Anything is possible when we believe, and effective remote team communication is built on the creative actions we take to improve our methods of approach. Let your remote team communications be made on understanding, love, and care for each other and, above all, for your work. In this way, everyone gets to win.

Author Bio - Code is the central element that governs Joy Gomez’s universe; how he thinks, and how he lives. He is a self-taught, process-driven programmer and a first-generation immigrant from Southern India. He has completed engineering school while working full time with generous support and scholarships from employers due to his high productivity and drive. He is and has a Black belt in Lean Six Sigma. He has created Field Promax to pursue his natural-born expertise – code, streamline processes, and code more.

Original Source:- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-ways-build-effective-communication-within-remote-groups-joy-gomez/