HOW TO MANAGE EMPLOYEES WHILE WORKING REMOTELY?

Working from home, few months down the line, was not considered a priority. But due to this sudden and imposed shutdown, all corporate sectors have settled for working remotely. Also, it is quite evident that after the pandemic ends, work from home is soon going to become a Trend. We understand that currently, most of the employers are dealing with the unease of managing a completely remote staff. Hence, for this time and for the long run, it is essential that you learn to efficiently manage your remotely-working employees.

Here are the tips to manage your remotely working staff:

1. Video-Based Communication

Communicate with them on a regular basis. Do make sure you interact on a video conference at least once a week. This is important as it solves a lot of misunderstanding that could otherwise occur due to miscommunication over texted conversation. Do remember that the time zones differ and what you can do is take advantage of the communication channels for business management. Following are the examples of the same-

Communications:

  1. Skype
  2. ZOOM
  3. Slack
  4. Google Hangouts, etc

Task & Project Management:

  1. Jira
  2. Trello
  3. Gitlab
  4. Asana
  5. Basecamp, etc

2. Remain Approachable

People feel important when they are responded promptly. They should know they can look up to someone for seeking advice at the times they feel clueless or doubtful. Be prompt in replying your employees, so that they can approach you before making any mistakes.

3. Set Guidelines

Set up certain guidelines to be followed by your employees while working remotely. Deploy usage of Task Management Channels such as Asana for a regular updating of the tasks assigned along with their due date. Make EOD submissions mandatory. Set deadlines to reply official mails. Include Team-Shared docs. for assignments within the team.

4. Create A Communication Strategy

Some employees require a list of processes and some only need a brief to the work. Interact with them to know what kind of inputs nurtures their productivity while working in isolation. Then make a list of employees subjective to their required type of insight. Approach the employees according to that list.

5. Use Technology To Support, Connect, Bond

Use collaboration tools for celebrating birthdays and official milestones (for example- work anniversaries), as well as for celebrating formal accomplishments and reorganisations. Show them your support for their success and make sure to helpfully address them for achieving their goals. Engage with them in conversations at personal- level, in order to make it easier for them to jell.

6. Convey Your Expectations

Every individual has a different definition of efficiency. Let them know clearly what you expect from them. If they are aware, they can give in their require efforts accordingly- in order to get the job done smooth and better.

7. Discuss Your Decisions

While working remotely, the real problem that arises is the elucidation of the decisions made by different people, differently. This leads to wrong actions. Therefore, discussing the cause, enforcement procedure, and outcomes of a decision with your team, leads to a clarity and ease of enactment. This way, the employees also can provide their inputs, leading them to efficiency.

There are numerous world-famous companies that already provide remote working option to their employees. Have a look –

Work from Home

GitLab

A DevOps platform most businesses are using to manage their workflow.

Zapier

An app that integrates more than 1,500 apps to automate workflows.

Hotjar

Analytics software that helps users understand their website’s audience.

GitHub

A developing platform to host and review code &work with over 36 million developers.

Trello

Forecasting and analytics tool for growing businesses.

Amazon

Online shopping, streaming, and subscription service.

Cisco

IT, cybersecurity, and network infrastructure company.

Glassdoor

Employer review and job posting website.

COVID-19: IMPORTANCE OF ONLINE MARKETING AS PANDEMIC STRIKES

Yes, we understand that the organic traffic is slowing down. And that, there is conversion decline in most countries. But Marketing is your business saviour during this Coronavirus Pandemic. And we explain you why –

As per the U.S Small Business Administration, 7-8 percentage of the revenues are supposed to be allocated to marketing for businesses who are making up to $5 million in sales annually.

And during this global Pandemic, it is crucial to maintain the required level of marketing.

Here are the reasons to Undoubtedly persist Search Engine Marketing during this slow down.

1. THERE IS A DEMAND OF PRODUCTS GONE SCARCE

While SEO helps locate relevant information, there is a necessity for products and services during this unwanted break – making Marketing a Huge Requirement for your business to level up in the Ranking game!

It is important in this critical phase to keep up the optimization work. While Cutting off on paid advertisement can be a wise decision; targeting Keywords as well as the products that are going scarce is the WISEST, as this can make your small business notch up in the contemporary commerce run.

2. PEOPLE INDOORS, GO ONLINE FOR EVERYTHING!

People, (as are supposed to be) staying indoors, turn towards online businesses. It is important to keep optimising.
Search Engine optimization and inbound marketing are few which sustain the long run.

A Great suggestion from our side shall be to perform link building operations for the alternatives of products which have become expensive and have gone scanty. These are challenging times but there’s so much opportunity!

As you present your business up ahead the Searchers, you score it when the buying decision is made.

3. ULTIMATELY, THIS PHASE IS GOING TO END

Conclusively, everything will As you be back to normal and stability will be re-established.

And you need to either maintain or outgrow the pace of your commercial growth rate.

So, after everything gets back to normal, you don’t want to lose hold of the client base sustenance.

This time can be utilised to work for repromotion when businesses reboot again. Therefore, Keep on and Don’t stop your marketing Efforts!

HOW TO MANAGE ONLINE MARKETING DURING THE PANDEMIC SLOWDOWN?

A LOT can be done while others remain on that side of the screen. We share with you the tips on how to employ online marketing during the COVID-19 outbreak to keep pace with changing behavioural patterns of the audience. Have a look-

1. SEO MANAGEMENT

Attentivity to Visitor behaviour is important in order to perceive how the present scenarios are affecting users for devising new business opportunities –

  • Observe if they are seeking for other/new products and services or content.
  • Whether there is a difference in searching pattern for your site by the visitors.
  • Publish content relevant to COVID-19 during this period.
  • You can create a blog category for the same if you gather as much as minimum 4+ authentic articles on the topic.

2. UPDATE YOUR GMB PROFILE FOR LOCAL CONSUMERS

Update your operating hours status on Google My Business to make people aware of your altered timings. You can also share posts with revised offers so that your customers reach you out conveniently.

Reportedly, Google has recently announced to deploy its Artificial Intelligence Assistant- Duplex to contact businesses for confirming their updated Business hours in order to reflect them accurately as people undergo google search or Maps. Infact, even the businesses that are temporarily shut down are being updated with their current status on the search engine!

So, do not forget to share your correct information so that it is reliable for the consumer to approach.

3. SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT

  • Large customer base can be retained through social media groups. Demonstratively, LinkedIn as well as Facebook groups can be created to post updates and sustain discussions, alternative to your main commercial site.
  • Software like HOOTSUITE are provided with features like scheduling and approvals. Exploiting these during this pandemic is a great way to manage scheduling and posting updates while working remotely.

4. STRATEGIZE CUSTOMER RETENTION

  • Online marketing holds prime for building and keeping the trust of people amidst the testing times.
  • Make sure able to maintain the connection with them during this deceleration period.
  • In fact, updating your customers with the commercial tricks and tips relatable to your products and services is a rich source of holding the Customer base.
  • Enlighten your customers about how you are accommodating New Preventive measures to protect them and your employees.
  • Publish reliable informative pieces in concern with COVID-19. Let them be aware of more and most of the current situation outside. Make sure to backlink to the original site of reference leaving a space for readers to verify.

For more in depth advice and support please contact the team.

Most importantly, do not forget to sanitise your hands, wear mask while going out, and Minimizing public contact during the coronavirus outbreak!

Stay Safe and KEEP OPTIMIZING!

5 reasons why having a website for your company is inevitable

5 Reasons Why Having A Website for Your Company is Inevitable

In today’ digital era, discussing about the importance of having a website for any business sounds pretty obvious, isn’t it?

Well no, not for all. Still around 44% to 51% of small businesses do not have a WEBSITE! and that’s the reason we are here to realize, those who still underestimate, the power of being online.

Having a website is no longer a choice these days, it is a must-have business channel/asset that you just can’t ignore. While some might still debate that a website is for businesses operating online, have a tech product, or selling their product and services online, but its equally rewarding for all those businesses that have nothing to do with the internet. This is primarily because the days of relying on phone books are long gone and now people search about each and everything online either it is a new dress they want to buy or find a broker who can help them in finding a new house.

Here is a fact, as per the eCommerce Foundation, 88% of consumers research product information before they make a purchase online or in the store. Well, that’s a huge number!

Let’s see why it is such a big deal, given are the five most important reasons why having a website is inevitable for your business: –

  1. For Credibility

    A website gives a sense of existence and builds trust in the mind of consumers while they are looking for your business online. Around 80% of people have bad opinions of companies that don’t have websites. If you don’t have a website, then your company’s credibility is compromised & the tech-generation may not even consider you/your business serious about your product/service offerings. So, you just can’t afford to be this ignorant towards your business when it comes to your image in the market.

  2. 24/7 Accessibility

    Imagine being able to work with your team and sell your products around the clock for 365 days a year, not possible, right? But it can be. You don’t need to be actually present at the counter answering queries, demonstrating and sellingyour products or worrying about the payment. You just need to have a website and this will do all your work even when you are sleeping at your home peacefully. Website is like a shop that never closes.

  3. Wider Reach Than Any Other Form of Advertising

    With around 2.2 billion people online web has a far wider reach and it is much cheaper than any other form of advertising. Alike TV or radio ads, when you have a website you are not only visible to your customers when you want them to see you, you are also visible to them when they want to see you.

  4. The Backbone of Your Online Presence

    I’m sure you all must be using the internet for your sales and marketing in one way or another. It might be content marketing, social media marketing or email marketing.

    But here is a thing, all your digital marketing efforts are useless if you cannot channelize that traffic to a website from where they will get more information, and then they will buy. Websites are a place for your content to live, it is the center of your company’s online presence.

    Most importantly, Google ranks web pages, not businesses. So, without a website, you just can’t appear in front of your customers when they search about you online.

  5. Because Your Customers Are Looking for It!

    Isn’t it a valid enough reason to be available online?With 88% of your customer starting their purchase with an online search, means if you don’t have a website, you are only selling to 12% of your market. As the rest of them won’t even consider you as an option.

Convinced? Then no need to fret, creating a website is as easy as buying something from your next-door grocery store. But, if you want a professionally designed website for great user experience and better rankings, we can help.

6 Degrees IT helps brands like yours to reach new audiences online.

Talk to our passionate website developers and find out more about our web design services.

Contact our team today!