In 2023, there’s no denying that remote working is here to stay.

While many companies are still dabbling with a hybrid work schedule, others have fully embraced the remote work culture. Tech giants such as Facebook, Salesforce and Microsoft have all laid out plans to expand their remote work policies, having discovered the many benefits that having a remote workforce presents. Other companies have extended their flexibility policies even further, by testing out 4-day work weeks.

According to Forbes, the Millennial generation is driving the need for companies to adapt to remote working environments. This is mainly due to their desire for having a comfortable working environment, work-life balance and flexible working hours.

But for employers, remote working could seem like something that should be left in the pandemic era. Despite the data, some organisations believe that giving employees freedom and flexibility could result in a loss of productivity. Research shows that employees are actually more productive when given the freedom to work wherever they want, as they save time commuting each day and can create an environment in which they are able to focus.

Here are three productivity hacks to help you ensure your remote team is working efficiently:

1. Time-blocking

With everyone’s calendars looking different on a day-to-day basis, it can be difficult to know when is a good time to reach someone from your team. Unlike when working in an office, you won’t be able to tell if someone is in a meeting unless it’s written in their calendar. This can lead to miscommunication, long waiting times for replies and distractions for those who are otherwise occupied. The solution? Time-blocking!

Time-blocking will allow each team member to structure their day and assign chunks of time to specific tasks. By adding time blocks to your shared calendar, other team members will know when you’re busy, focusing on a specific task, or attending meetings. You can even set specific times to answer emails and messaging, to avoid constant interruptions.

2. Productivity Trackers

Filling in timesheets remains one of the most effective ways to keep track of productivity. When managing a remote team, this becomes even more important.

Modern timesheet tools give you a holistic view of how your team is performing – the hours they’re clocking on projects and the tasks that are taking up most of their time. Built-in reporting functions also help you understand who your most important clients are, and where you can afford to be spending more time.

Instead of micro-managing employees on a daily basis, free up time to focus on your own tasks. The timesheets at the end of each week or month will speak for themselves!

3. Organise Projects and Tasks

Simplifying projects by breaking them down into smaller tasks, and assigning those tasks to specific people, can help boost productivity. This will help each person know exactly what they’re responsible for, and what they should be doing next.

By breaking projects down into tasks, you’ll also be able to track how much time is spent on each specific phase of a project. This will help you improve project estimates for future work, boosting your profitability down the line.

Whether you’re working remotely or not, these productivity hacks will help your team stay in top form. With hidma, timesheets are simplified to help you boost productivity across your whole organisation.

Interested in learning more?

Get in touch for a free trial on info@hidma.com.