Five innovative tips that you can employ in managing a remote workforce

BIG CORPORATIONS like Amazon, Starbucks, and Uber may be pushing employees back to the office, but that doesn't mean the same approach works for all companies.

- JEREMY LANG

Within the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) community, not all businesses can benefit from remote work. However, for those SMEs where remote work continues to offer significant advantages such as lower overheads, access to a broader talent pool, and greater flexibility for staff, there needs to be clear guidelines in place.

Making remote work effective takes more than a solid internet connection. If you're considering a flexible work model, here are five practical tips to help you get the most out of your remote team.

Set clear expectations from the outset

Remote work doesn't mean working without structure. If anything, structure becomes more important.

That starts with setting clear expectations for working hours and accessibility, communication norms, deadlines and outputs. Everyone in your team should understand what's expected of them not only in terms of tasks, but also how and when to deliver them.

This doesn't mean micromanaging. It's about giving your team the clarity they need to take ownership of their work.