Because associates are remote, they are not talking with one another during coffee breaks, lunches, or trips to the restroom. Additionally, most businesses lose their visual daily management processes by holding remote meetings. With the diminished capacity to keep operations in check using visible KPIs, organizations are jumping from one firefight to the next. These businesses are feeling the negative impact of losing standard business processes and communication.
Here are five simple solutions that address these challenges:
Insist that team members turn on their cameras during meetings. This simple solution will increase the sense of community and communication between colleagues. Just seeing your co-workers and making eye contact with them will increase the focus on the subject at hand and pay significant dividends.
Have all leaders start each day with a standing 15-minute meeting. Discuss successes from yesterday, what must be done for today and tomorrow to be successful, and review critical KPIs.
During the first 5 minutes of all meetings, allow time for associates to socialize.
Create break-out rooms for associates from similar teams to take their breaks and lunches together.
Create community break-out rooms for cross-functional teams to collaborate.
I’m confident that a more stable work environment can be established once these solutions are instituted. Demonstrating this level of responsiveness to the associates’ challenges will create a sense of hope and optimism that leaders are connected to their issues and are working toward solutions that benefit the entire organization.
If you have any questions or comments on how this article relates to your operations and supply chain business strategy, please contact me by e-mail or at +1 (336) 260-9441.
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