Our Top Tips for Managing a Successful Mobile Workforce.

Managing a successful mobile workforce is easier than you think. According to pretty much all the statistics there are way over a billion people in today’s global workforce who have been liberated from their desks. Whilst this revolution born of the Internet age is great news for the worker, and also the employer it represents challenges for both business and employee.  The big question is just how do you manage the mobile workforce? Who is demanding more flexibility and the much sought after utopia of the work/life balance?  For those of you still reticent and insistent on your employees being under your watchful eye, it is worth noting that flexibility is something workers are demanding more and more.

A survey from Citrix shows a large proportion of them (64%) would give up perks, lunch breaks and coffee breaks to be able to stay at home for at least one day a week. So it leaves you managers with a conundrum – the need to balance flexibility with productivity as its clear – the future is mobile.  However, daunting some might find that we believe it doesn’t have to be as difficult as it may first seem. The key is to loosen those apron strings and focus on engendering a strong teamwork ethic.  But before you wave goodbye to your employee, iPad in hand, there are a few things you need to consider.  We present our top 5 tips for managing a successful mobile workforce.

Managing a Successful Mobile Workforce Top Tips

1. Lead by example – you need to stay engaged and understand the nature of the work you’re in charge of. Always keep the communication open and a two-way thing – don’t just hide behind email. Real-time praise and constructive criticism are essential.
2. Look at the pros – our clients make staggering savings on energy bills and office space empowering their workforce without affecting productivity. Trusting your workforce motivates them and encourages them to stay with you, thereby saving loads on recruitment costs and re-training. After all it’s far cheaper to keep an existing employer happy than hire a new one.
3. Take time to set goals – allow employees to do their job! Don’t keep supervising everything they do. Right from the start goals should reflect quantifiable end results. Be specific.
4. Get-together! Have a place or places to meet up from time to time.  We are after all only human, so occasionally get everyone together – you’ll need to meet up anyway to discuss projects etc., so keep engendering that team spirit.
5. Education, Education, Education. Keep up to date on your new role. The virtual manager is a relatively new concept in our evolution, so get on Google and research what’s available.

So there we have it, top 5 tips for managing a successful mobile workforce.  To get you in shape and ready for the challenge of virtual leadership.  Go for it, it’s the future.