Most remote teams run into trouble in the area of internal communication. You probably do have your communication plans, standards and expectations. But if you don’t stick to them, problems can soon arise. Gradually some bad habits may emerge and if employees are not held accountable, the situation will grow even worse.
January can be your opportunity for considering how you work together and how you should be working together. Thee management-issues.com website recommends the following steps.
1) Really do write your communication plan
Just get it written. If a formal communication plan for your team already exists, you still probably need to update it. Discuss it with others.
When rules of engagement are posted and visible to all, it is much easier to hold people accountable. Make the expectations about returning messages or the rules for contacting others outside their working hours crystal clear.
2) Keep the rules (or whole plan) up to date
People often change their extensions or phone numbers, so be sure to update contact information. Also ask what is working and what is not, at least from time to time.
3) Examine how your team is communicating
What information seems to be lost or not available? The problems you have identified should be solved by teamwork involving your whole team. You may look for new processes or new tools.
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