How to Manage Your IT Team When Working Remotely
It’s almost impossible to run your business without a dedicated information technology (IT) team. Your IT department is central to the success of your business, no matter which software, system, and technologies you use.
It’s almost impossible to compete with other businesses if you don’t embrace technology. If like most companies, you use any form of electronics or software, you need a team of IT staff to oversee them.
It’s especially important to create a dedicated IT department as your business grows. Your IT staff can aid with data storage or automation of your business operations. They can also prevent financial loss from IT downtime or system corruption.
IT management can become difficult when your business transitions into a remote working arrangement. Your IT staff might struggle to continue working efficiently. Remote working can create a barrier to communication and adds an extra layer of complexity to their roles.
Here are some top tips to help you manage your IT department when they are working from remote locations.
Use an Online Communication Tool
Since the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the number of virtual collaboration tools. Online tools make it easier for your team to communicate with your IT staff if they are in need.
When your employees have a technology-related issue, they can quickly drop a message on the online communication platform to get immediate help. The platform will also make it easier for your IT staff to manage and track the progress of each ticket.
Trust Your Team
Micromanagement is tempting when your IT team is working remotely. While it’s important to provide enough support for your staff while they’re off-site, you also need to trust them to get things done.
You should set your expectations and keep in regular contact with all of your IT employees but take a step back when necessary. Doing so will empower your IT department to work independently and motivate them to stay productive.
Provide the Right Resources
Often, IT departments need a lot of different resources to work efficiently. When your staff are working from multiple locations, it can be difficult to allocate enough resources to every person.
Focus on providing the critical tools and equipment to every team member so they can work in collaboration with one another. Some crucial resources might be Microsoft Office, OneNote, performance monitoring tools, network security, and helpdesk ticketing software.
Stay in Touch
Remote working requires you to put in more effort when communicating with your employees. You can no longer walk into the next room in your office to see how they’re doing. Instead, you need to log into your online communication platform and send them a message or arrange a virtual video call.
When you’re trying to manage an IT department, it’s important that you stay in touch with them. Take the time to regularly check in with your staff and see how they’re doing. Allow them to raise any concerns and request additional resources if they need them.
