As remote work grows and more people work from home or other places away from their office, managers must learn to create collaborative remote work teams. Managing a remote workforce can be challenging, however. Communication and trust are crucial, but it is hard to maintain over long distances. Without these important elements, team members can feel isolated and unsupported, leading to a decline in productivity, so implementing best practices is key to forming a cohesive remote work team.

Establish clear communication boundaries

When team members work remotely, there can be a tendency to overcommunicate or be constantly available. However, this can quickly lead to burnout, so managers need to be vigilant in establishing trust and clear communication boundaries.

It's essential to set clear expectations about when and how team members should communicate with each other. This will help prevent team members from feeling like they're always on-call and will allow them to focus on their work.

Use the right tools

Remote work can be challenging if team members work in different time zones. Building a collaborative remote team can be difficult, but it's not impossible. You can create a productive and cohesive remote work team using the right tools:

1. Communication tools allow for both real-time and asynchronous communication. This will ensure that everyone has a chance to stay connected and on task. Use communication tools like Slack or Zoom to keep in touch with your team and facilitate quick and easy communication.
2. File sharing tools allow easy collaboration and version control. Use document sharing tools like Google Drive or Dropbox to share documents quickly and easily. This will help ensure that everyone is always working from the most recent document version.
3. Meeting tools allow for both audio and video conferencing, which can be helpful for remote team members. Use video conferencing tools like Skype or GoToMeeting to hold virtual meetings and stay connected with your team.
4. Time tracking tools can help you track how much time team members spend on each task. This can help you ensure that everyone stays on task and meets deadlines. Use tracking tools like Asana or Trello to keep track of deadlines and assigned tasks.
5. Collaboration tools can help you keep an eye on what team members are working on and whether they are meeting their goals. Use collaboration tools like Basecamp or Podio to create a collaborative space for team members to share ideas.

Create a positive work culture

You should establish a company culture that fosters bonding and cooperation among employees. When team members work remotely, they can't rely on face-to-face communication to build relationships. This can be done through team activities, such as online book clubs or happy hours, or by simply encouraging team members to chat with each other regularly.