The in-office vs. remote debate has always been a tough call for me, especially in the IT field where moonlighting is common. While I don't mind it per se, it can subconsciously divide focus and energy. Finding a candidate with the right skills in our specific location has become increasingly more challenging. This pushed me to embrace remote work options. With 25% of my team working remotely and my frequent travels, establishing clear protocols became essential to ensure our remote operations functioned efficiently.
Finding the right balance for remote work is like walking a tightrope. Extremely strict protocols can stifle creativity and morale, while a lax approach can lead to communication breakdowns and missed deadlines. The key is to strike a middle ground that fosters collaboration and efficiency.
Sure, being in the office together can boost teamwork and get more done. But it also means paying for office space, employee benefits, and extra travel time. Luckily, we found a happy medium with a hybrid model. We have rules in place that let people work from home (WFH) while still working well together as a team
Tools that we use to manage a successful hybrid team-
Chat - For communication, we rely on Zoho Cliq, a chat tool. Each project has its dedicated channel, and within each channel, discussions are further organized into threads. To keep things organized, we also have separate channels for broader topics like fun activities, administrative announcements, and general discussions. Additionally, each team has its dedicated channel. Zoho Cliq allows us to set specific user permissions, so we can control who has access to which information.
Cliq also offers a status feature. Team members can update their status to indicate if they're on lunch break, out sick, or unavailable. Additionally, Cliq allows for checking in, which helps us track attendance.
Meetings -Our schedule is designed for frequent communication: a. Twice a week: We hold team meetings for broader discussions. b. Daily: Each team has its daily standup meeting to share progress and updates. c. Every alternate day: We dedicate a slot to update all our clients. d. Weekly: Leadership meets every Saturday to discuss strategy and direction.
Online Games - We know breaks are essential! Once a week, we take some time to unwind and team up in online games on Discord. It's a great way to de-stress and actually build stronger team collaboration through some friendly competition.
To stay connected and ensure everyone's voice is heard, I schedule monthly one-on-one meetings with each team member. These chats are a two-way street, allowing me to both provide feedback and get valuable insights from the team.
Loom- Another tool for managing a successful hybrid team and communication. We use it to record quick videos when we need to ask a question, provide an update, or get approval on something. This is especially helpful because everyone's schedules can be busy, and it allows people to review information at their own convenience.
Notion - This is our central hub for project management. All project updates and tasks are housed there. It keeps everyone on the same page because team members can easily:
Tag colleagues: Ask questions or assign tasks directly to specific people.
Update task status: Indicate progress on each task.
See everything in one place: With full access for everyone, the team always knows where each project stands and who's working on what.
Building a successful hybrid team takes effort and adaptation. While navigating the balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility can be a challenge, it's definitely achievable. By implementing the right tools and establishing clear protocols, you can foster a productive and healthy work environment for your team. Remember, the key is to find a system that works for your specific team and constantly refine it based on your experience.
Checkout our website to see the results of our efficient management processes- Wix Freaks
Do you think there are better alternatives for hybrid work management? Let us know in the comments!
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