Like it or not, we’re all going to be working from home for a while.
If you don’t need to communicate with anyone or anything on the outside world that’s great. But the reality is for most people, particularly people in real estate, this period will be a steep learning experience.
We all know how important relationships are in the real estate business and that won’t change during this period of time. We just have to learn how to manage our teams slightly different.
The good news is, there are a number of things you can do and great software solutions to better manage a remote team.
Effective communication tools
Regardless of the business you’re running, leaders need to make sure they are letting their team know what is required of them. The only way to do that is with clear communication.
That also becomes easier said than done, when we are all stuck at home. When we are all working at home, the workday can become a bit like a game of Chinese whispers.
Fortunately, there are a number of tools that help make this process far easier and these are probably even things you should be using when all the dust settles and the world goes back to normal. Some of the best communication tools for remote workplaces are:
Zoom is an online webinar and conferencing platform that allows for group meetings or one-on-one consultations.
Slack is an instant messaging platform, where you can store everything your team will need to quickly and easily manage projects and tasks.
Whatsapp is another messaging tool. You can create group chats and communicate quickly and easily to keep everyone in your team.
Create the right communication strategy
Imagine if your boss came across to your desk every hour to check on your progress. For most people, they simply don’t need (or want) that to do their job effectively.
Lay out the right way to communicate. Set a daily team meeting. Outline how the team should report on what they are doing. Then let them do their job.
Goals not activities
It’s easy to forget what you’re trying to achieve when your team is spread around the world or even the suburb. But in the current environment, it’s important not to get too caught up on making sure your team is ‘busy’.
People embrace responsibility if you allow them to have some. Make sure your team is working towards a goal and don’t get caught up in trying to micromanage their smaller daily tasks.
To work in real estate you really need to be a self-starter. Don’t forget that.
Manage expectations
This also relates to effective communication. We all have different definitions of what it means to be ‘fast’ or ‘good’.
When setting a task, try and use examples of what would be considered a well-done task. Put a clear timeline on the task and then break it down into smaller steps.
That way everyone is on the same page and can work towards clear goals.
Regular one-on-one time
As a leader of a team, everyone is ultimately looking to you for guidance. Make sure you’re available to do that.
A good idea is to set a regular weekly meeting, where you can discuss everything you need with each member of your team. If they feel heard and listened to, they are far more likely to work for you and go the extra mile.
If they’re forgotten about and overlooked, that will be reflected in their output.
Make sure you’re giving everyone the time they need.
Avoid email
Arguably the most inefficient use of time is emailing back and forth all day long and creating an endless chain of replies doesn’t help anyone.
It wastes time and is not always very clear. Again using software like Slack can really help with setting out what needs to be done and communicating quickly and easily.
If you are going to use email, try getting your team to check and reply at certain times of the day and not constantly.
Automate whatever you can
If you don’t need a person to do it – don’t.
These days there are a number of tools available like Zapier, that really help to automate routine tasks.
The goal should be to free people up as best they can to continue doing their role.
If you automate simple tasks, then your team can get to work on higher-level tasks which will ultimately generate more income in the long run.
