7 Staff Management Tips for Traveling Entrepreneurs Working Remotely
Remote work is not a new thing by any means. However, the world’s ongoing digital transformation has opened up avenues for remote work in more ways than ever imagined. Even business founders—the very people who were once expected to be present for all key operations—are not necessarily confined to traditional workplaces these days. Indeed, a growing number are choosing to explore the world while managing their businesses remotely.
This unorthodox lifestyle choice offers more personal freedom, but it does come with unique challenges, especially for business owners who must maintain a payroll. Achieving clear communication and trust, even as one travels abroad, is a big hurdle that can get even tougher when there are business goals to consider. Still, properly leveraging recognized best practices and technology can help today’s traveling entrepreneurs take even complex businesses to new heights, even as they travel.
If you’re about to become a traveling entrepreneur, congratulations to you; many people merely dream about what you’re about to embark on. Still, if you want to keep your operations running smoothly, there are many critical areas that you will have to cover before you leave. Always follow these tips before you leave your business’s main worksite for extended periods:
1) Prioritize On-Time Payrolls
Don’t even think about traveling if you haven’t mastered paying your team on time. Using modern tools for managing payroll for small business ventures, such as Maya Business Deposit transfers from Maya Business, can help with always on-time cash disbursements for both regular employees and contractors.Â
Many of these systems are also cloud-based, which keeps you from having to worry about server delays or other such technical issues. Make sure you pick a solution that’s known for accurate, instant disbursements to keep your team happy and motivated.
2) Set Clear Expectations Early
Even before you leave, you must clearly define roles, responsibilities, and deadlines. Regardless of where your employees are based, they will always appreciate clear instructions, as this keeps them from having to second-guess what to do. It’s also advantageous to you, as it should keep down the need to go into unscheduled calls and meetings. This brings us to our next tip.
3) Prioritize Regular Check-Ins
Schedule weekly or bi-weekly video calls at regular times to discuss updates and challenges. You have to remember that consistent communication isn’t just about keeping everyone on the same page concerning business goals. Regular communication also builds a sense of connectedness that maintains your business’s overall culture. Still, avoid checking in too often, as this can eat up your employees’ time or signal distrust in their abilities.
4) Use Digital Collaboration Tools That Make Sense for Your Business
To set and manage deliverables more precisely, use cloud-based tools like Slack for communication, Asana for task management, and Google Workspace for file sharing. These and other similar platforms can also be set up to streamline workflows and give everyone the same picture of your business’s status, regardless of where you are in the world.
5) Build a Real Culture of Trust
Self-made entrepreneurs often achieve their initial successes by driving themselves beyond their limits. This means that when they do achieve a bit of stability in their business, delegation isn’t necessarily the first thing on their minds. After all, their success is a result of their own doing. As a result, micromanagement can sometimes be a problem in many successful small businesses.
It’s one thing to micromanage when you’re onsite. But when you’re traveling, this is something that has to be let go of for your sake and that of your team. Delegating responsibilities helps to empower your staff and gives them a sense of ownership that will allow the business to keep running even without your input. To avoid potential delegation issues, make sure your staff is ready before you leave.
6) Take the Lead When Accommodating Time Zone Differences
As the one with more freedom, you should be the one more willing to move your schedule. If you’re in a vastly different time zone, don’t force your team to take meetings off of their regular hours. Instead, record instructions or updates to avoid disrupting their routines. If there is some overlap with your schedules, however, you should still avoid having meetings at inconvenient times so that your staff feels respected.
7) Offer Professional Development Opportunities
Supporting your team’s growth will make them more capable of taking over your responsibilities. You can train them yourself, but you can also consider giving them access to online courses or local certifications. This key investment can also boost morale and bring fresh ideas into your business, supporting its long-term growth.
Building a Cohesive and Trusted Workforce from Afar
Managing your staff while traveling is not going to be easy. Do it long enough and you’re bound to learn things that you never expected, both good and bad. Still, it does get easier the more you do it. With the right strategies and tools, you can avoid many of the hiccups associated with remote staff management.
At the end of the day, however, succeeding in remote management is about building trust. At a basic level, it’s about paying your staff on time for whatever it is they promised to deliver. It also goes deeper, with such actions as entrusting sensitive parts of your business to those who proved their worth. In other words, proper delegation and staying true to your word will help you run a healthy organization, whether you choose to manage it in person or remotely.
