We talk a lot about employees who are making the transition to remote work, but what about employers? Remote work saves employers money while giving them access to the best employees from around the globe. Really, it’s a win-win for everyone involved. So how can first-time remote employers prepare themselves for this major shift in the world of work? We’ve got some pointers.

Get to know your remote employees.

Since you’re not working face-to-face in an office, you’re going to have to work a little harder to get to know your remote employees. That being said, it’s worth the effort. Build strong relationships with your employees by checking-in frequently with them not only about their projects, but about their opinions on the work they’re doing. Knowing your employees’ strengths and weaknesses can be a key asset in improving productivity in your company.

Decide how you want to track your company’s productivity.

Speaking of productivity, learning how to track it is important for remote employers who can’t physically check-in on projects. Whether it’s getting daily or weekly updates on assignments or asking your employees to track their work in a communal spreadsheet, setting up a system where you can oversee company productivity can help you assess problems within the workflow and encourage positive and realistic attitudes towards work.

Figure out what kind of communication works best for you.

Depending on what kind of business you run, your choice for remote communication is going to be different. Video calls, emails, chat channels, and forums are all different ways that you can communicate with your employees and vice versa. Figure out what methods of communications are best for your company and make them a standard.

Stay up-to-date on the latest technologies.

Along with upping your communication efforts, staying up-to-date on the latest technologies can be useful for strategizing about your team’s workflow. Apps like Slack, Evernote, Trello, and dozens of others are made with remote teams in mind. Be in the know when it comes to new technology and implementing it into your remote method.

Be willing to make changes.

A remote employer needs to be willing to change with the times, and that means that he or she has to be willing to adapt frequently. Great remote managers are open to implementing employee suggestions and relying on feedback to make the most out of the unique situation of remote working.

Accept that there will be a learning curve.

Not only do first-time remote employers face a learning curve, but any remote employer or employee that is beginning with a new team will face a learning curve. This is because each remote team functions differently, and it will always take time to learn the flow of individual remote companies.

Embrace the flexibility and avoid micromanaging.

Micromanaging is not for the remote manager. First of all, it’s unproductive. Second of all, it’s impossible to do from miles away. Instead, remote employers need to embrace flexibility and trust their remote employees to be able to work independently. (Check out our tips on how to find the best remote employees).

Create a work culture that fosters camaraderie.

Finally, it is up to remote employers to create camaraderie amongst their remote employees. Not sure how to do this? We’ve got some suggestions, including defining a culture, conducting yearly retreats, encouraging video calls, and acknowledging achievements. These efforts will keep your remote team feeling encouraged and well-connected.