The Remote Work Shift: Maintaining Momentum in a Digital-First World
By Kraig Kleeman
Founder & CEO, The New Workforce
Remote work has fundamentally changed the way we work, and for many businesses, it’s no longer just a temporary solution—it’s the new norm. As someone who has built and scaled companies, I know how important it is to maintain high levels of productivity in a remote environment. Managing productivity from afar requires not only the right tools but also the right mindset and culture.
In this article, I’ll share strategies I’ve learned throughout my entrepreneurial journey to keep remote teams focused, motivated, and productive. Whether you’re running a startup or scaling a large company, these strategies will help you ensure that your remote team continues to deliver outstanding results.
1. Set Clear Expectations and Goals
The first step to maintaining productivity in a remote work environment is setting clear expectations and goals. Without the structure of an office, it’s easy for team members to feel unsure about their responsibilities or to work on tasks that aren’t aligned with the company’s broader objectives.
How to Implement:
- Define Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Each team member should know exactly what they’re responsible for and what’s expected of them. This can be done through project management tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com, which allow for easy task assignment and deadline tracking.
- Set SMART Goals: Make sure your team’s goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Breaking larger projects into manageable milestones keeps the team focused and provides a sense of accomplishment.
- Provide Regular Updates: Have regular check-ins (either daily or weekly) to review progress, address challenges, and adjust priorities if needed. These meetings help keep everyone aligned and motivated.
2. Use the Right Tools for Collaboration and Communication
One of the most common challenges of remote work is communication. In the office, people can quickly jump into a meeting or chat by the water cooler to clarify things. But in a remote environment, you need a set of reliable tools to keep communication flowing.
How to Implement:
- Instant Messaging Tools: Platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams provide real-time messaging that allows for quick, efficient communication. These tools help replace those spontaneous office conversations, keeping team members connected.
- Video Conferencing Tools: Tools like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams are essential for meetings, brainstorming sessions, and team check-ins. Video calls create a more personal connection and make discussions more engaging than emails or chats alone.
- Project Management Tools: Keeping track of tasks, projects, and timelines is vital in a remote environment. Use tools like Asana, ClickUp, or Monday.com to ensure transparency and accountability. These platforms allow teams to stay on the same page and ensure that deadlines are met.
When you use the right tools and communicate effectively, it’s easier to keep projects on track and avoid unnecessary misunderstandings that can hinder productivity.
3. Establish a Structured Daily Routine
Remote work can sometimes blur the lines between personal and professional time, leading to distractions or a lack of focus. One of the best ways to maintain productivity is by helping your team establish a structured daily routine.
How to Implement:
- Set Clear Working Hours: Encourage your team to define clear working hours and stick to them. Flexibility is one of the benefits of remote work, but without structure, it can lead to procrastination or burnout.
- Implement Time Blocking: Encourage team members to “time block” their day, assigning specific hours to different tasks. For example, allocate mornings to focus on deep work and afternoons for meetings or collaborative tasks.
- Create a Morning Routine: The first hour of the day sets the tone for the rest of it. Encourage your team to establish a morning routine that includes time for planning, goal-setting, and mental preparation.
Having a structured routine helps remote workers stay on track, minimizes distractions, and ensures that work is completed on time.
4. Foster Accountability and Ownership
Remote work can make it difficult to monitor productivity, but the key is fostering a culture of accountability. When team members feel accountable for their work, they are more motivated to stay on task and deliver quality results.
How to Implement:
- Set Clear Deadlines: Deadlines are critical for remote teams. Ensure that all tasks are assigned deadlines and that the team knows the importance of meeting them.
- Encourage Self-Management: Give your team the autonomy to manage their tasks. When employees feel empowered to take ownership of their work, they are more likely to be productive and take pride in their output.
- Regular Check-Ins: While autonomy is important, it’s also essential to provide accountability. Hold regular check-ins to review progress and offer feedback. These meetings ensure that no task slips through the cracks and that any challenges are addressed promptly.
When accountability is ingrained in the culture, remote teams will naturally remain focused, motivated, and aligned with company goals.
5. Encourage Breaks and Time for Recharge
It’s easy for remote workers to get caught up in work without taking breaks, especially when working from home. However, research shows that taking regular breaks boosts productivity and creativity.
How to Implement:
- Promote the Pomodoro Technique: Encourage your team to use techniques like the Pomodoro Method, where they work in focused intervals (e.g., 25 minutes) followed by short breaks. This helps prevent burnout and keeps energy levels high.
- Encourage Physical Activity: Encourage team members to take breaks for physical activity, whether it’s a walk outside, a quick workout, or a stretch. Physical activity boosts energy, clears the mind, and reduces stress.
- Mindfulness and Mental Health Breaks: Support your team’s mental well-being by encouraging mindfulness practices, such as meditation or simply taking a few minutes to breathe and refocus.
By encouraging breaks and creating a work environment that prioritizes well-being, you’ll help your team stay productive in the long run, without burning out.
6. Maintain a Positive and Supportive Team Culture
A positive and supportive team culture is key to maintaining motivation and productivity, especially in a remote environment where isolation can sometimes set in. Building a culture where team members feel appreciated and connected will keep morale high and productivity flowing.
How to Implement:
- Celebrate Successes: Recognize both individual and team achievements regularly. Celebrate milestones, whether it’s completing a major project or hitting a personal goal. This helps team members feel valued and motivated to continue performing at their best.
- Provide Feedback and Recognition: Regular feedback is essential in a remote setting. Take the time to recognize employees’ hard work and offer constructive feedback. When team members feel appreciated, they’re more likely to stay engaged and productive.
- Promote Team Building: Even remotely, it’s important to foster team connections. Organize virtual team-building activities, like trivia games or virtual coffee breaks, to create informal spaces where team members can bond.
A positive culture increases engagement and drives productivity. When your team feels supported and valued, they are more likely to go the extra mile and contribute their best work.
Conclusion: Remote Productivity Is Within Reach
Managing productivity in a remote work environment doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By setting clear expectations, using the right tools, establishing a structured routine, fostering accountability, encouraging breaks, and building a supportive culture, you can ensure that your remote team remains engaged and productive.
As the future of work continues to evolve, the key to remote success lies in creating an environment where employees feel empowered, connected, and motivated. With the right strategies in place, your remote team can not only survive but thrive in this new work landscape.
Remember, it’s all about striking the right balance. Empower your team with the tools and support they need to succeed, and watch productivity soar.
About Kraig Kleeman
Kraig Kleeman is a highly successful entrepreneur, author, and showrunner. If his accomplishments and aspirations were to draw inspiration from natural icons, he could be described as a fusion of Elon Musk’s visionary approach to business and Mick Jagger’s electrifying stage presence. He possesses keen business acumen and a flair for captivating performances that awe audiences.
Kraig’s entrepreneurial spirit is boundless, as evidenced by his track record of founding a tech company and taking it from nothing to $30 million in sales, in less than four years. His newest venture, CEO Branding Worldwide, is growing by triple digits, quarter over quarter. While some may liken his abilities to a Midas touch, others prefer to think of it as transforming companies into profitable ventures instead of turning things into gold!
