Remote work has evolved from a niche concept to a widespread business practice in recent years. Working from home is now seen as part of the new normal. Sometimes, it is preferable, thanks to the advancement of technology and the shifting dynamics of modern labor. Hiring virtual assistants to help with administrative tasks and simplify operations is one facet of remote work that has gained appeal. In this blog post, we’ll look at the benefits of remote work as well as successful ways of managing and measuring productivity while working with virtual employees.
The Advantages of Remote Work
1. Connect with Diverse Experts
When you hire virtual assistants, you are not restricted by geography. It also means that you can find individuals with the specific talents and expertise your company requires, regardless of where they are located. This global talent pool access might help you construct a more versatile and skilled team.
2. Cost-Efficiency
For businesses of all sizes, remote work can be a cost-effective solution. Hiring virtual assistants can often save you money on overhead expenses like office space, utilities, and equipment. Furthermore, you have the option of employing on a part-time or project basis, which reduces labor costs as compared to recruiting full-time staff.
3. Enhanced Productivity
Contrary to popular belief, studies have shown that remote employees can be more productive when managed efficiently. For example, Prodoscore kept track of their employee productivity during the COVID-19 pandemic when they decided to shift to remote work. They found that productivity increased at the company by 47%.
Virtual assistants generally have more autonomy, which can lead to increased concentration and productivity. Furthermore, they have the freedom to work at their most productive hours, which can lead to higher-quality production.
Managing Virtual Assistants Effectively
Now that we’ve explored the advantages of remote work, let’s dive into some strategies for managing and measuring productivity for your remote work setup.
1. Set Clear Expectations
The key to successful remote work relationships is communication. Set clear expectations with your virtual assistants from the start. Define their roles and duties, as well as project objectives and timeframes. You can help your virtual assistants understand their tasks and the criteria they have to meet by developing a clear framework.
2. Use Collaboration Tools
There is no shortage of collaboration technologies available in the world today. This is especially true when it comes to remote work options. Tools such as Slack, Trello, Asana, and Zoom can help you connect with your virtual assistants. It is now easier to monitor your team’s progress and communicate through messaging apps and video conferencing platforms. Select the tools that are best suited to your workflow and ensure that everyone on the team is comfortable using them.
3. Provide Ongoing Feedback
Forbes shares that 43% of highly engaged employees are those workers who are given regular feedback. You can provide this by setting up one-on-one meetings or sharing comments on employee performance. Additionally, you can offer help to resolve any problems. Encourage open communication so that your virtual assistants can ask questions and ponder on your feedback.
4. Foster a Positive Work Culture
You might be far from one another, but teams must still look to fostering a positive work culture. If you believe this is true then you have something in common with 80% of business leaders and workers. They shared that having a community can be beneficial for their work.
You can have a hand at this by showing your appreciation for your virtual assistants’ efforts and recognizing their accomplishments. Creating a sense of belonging and camaraderie among your remote team members can enhance motivation and engagement.
Measuring Productivity in Remote Work
Effectively measuring productivity in a remote work environment can be a challenge, but it’s crucial for ensuring that your virtual assistants are delivering the expected results. Here are some methods to help you gauge productivity:
1. Align your Goals
According to Researcher Anastasia Belyh, those who select and report about their actionable tasks accomplish their goals 40% faster. You can replicate this success by establishing specific and quantifiable goals with your virtual assistants. These objectives should be aligned with your business objectives and provide a measurable mechanism to evaluate their performance. You can set goals in the form of tasks, outcomes, or deadlines.
2. Use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) can be a beacon to help your virtual assistants visualize what they need to achieve. Determine the appropriate KPIs for each virtual assistant based on their role and duties. Customer satisfaction ratings, project completion rates, and sales targets are examples of KPIs.
3. Time Tracking
Some industry leaders fear shifting to remote work because of how far employees are, making it difficult to ensure productivity. However, this fear is far from the truth. In fact, time-tracking tools can help boost productivity and save businesses $666,400 in annual salary costs.
Time-tracking tools can help you keep track of how much time virtual assistants spend on a variety of tasks. This data can identify productivity patterns and areas where time could be better utilized. Despite this, high-quality results should not be overlooked.
4. Touch-base Meetings
Part of managing and measuring productivity means you must connect with your team consistently. Schedule regular touch-base meetings with your virtual assistants to discuss progress and any issues that may arise. These check-ins provide an opportunity to ensure that they are on track to reach their objectives and to offer assistance or make adjustments as needed.
5. Provide Performance Reviews
Conduct periodic performance evaluations with your virtual assistants. Assess their overall performance and discuss areas for improvement throughout these reviews. Recognize their accomplishments and offer constructive recommendations on how to improve their productivity.
The Bottom Line
Remote employment and virtual assistant outsourcing provide numerous advantages to business owners. You can streamline your operations, decrease expenses, and drive success by tapping into a global talent pool and employing effective management and productivity assessment tools. Remember that when managed properly with clear communication, collaborative tools, and a focus on results, remote work can be extremely effective. Embrace the benefits of remote work. Look into managing and measuring productivity using the tips here.
Approach remote work with a reliable partner on your side with Managed Outsourced Virtual Employees or MOVE. Reach out to gain insights on your outsourcing journey.