It is always important to be involved in your business operations. You want to be able to supervise and handle every process to ensure high-quality outputs, but the reality is you can’t do it all the time. Sometimes, you’ll be away from your business for an extended period and you’ll leave everything to your employees. In this situation, you need to be prepared to trust them and give them the freedom to work without your constant interference.
1. Work on your relationship with employees.
First, you need to develop a good working relationship with your employees. Establish trust and mutual respect. This way, they will be more comfortable working without you being physically present. They know that you are confident in their abilities and you trust them to do the job well.
2. Create a process or system.
You may also benefit from creating a process or system that your employees can follow in your absence. This will help them stay organized and on track with their work. Write it down as clearly as possible to help them follow without making a lot of mistakes. Make sure to explain the process thoroughly to them so they know what they’re doing.
3. Set expectations.
You have to set expectations for your employees. Let them know what you expect from them while you’re away and what the goals are. Your expectations should be realistic and achievable to avoid any disappointments. Tailor your expectations to the knowledge of your employee about the task they will undertake and how they have dealt with new information in the past.
4. Give them the freedom to work.
Always give your employees the freedom to work. Trust them to do their job and let them figure out the best way to do it. This will help them feel more responsible and accountable for their work. They will take ownership of their tasks, whether they encountered problems while working on a task or finished them and exceeded your expectations.
5. Monitor their work.
You should also monitor their work closely while you’re away. Make sure to check in with them regularly and provide feedback. To monitor them, you can either ask them to send you reports or update you on their work via email or Skype. This way, you’ll be able to stay updated with their progress and give them necessary instructions if needed. You can also make use of online virtual collaboration tools to help you with this.
6. Encourage them to ask for help.
Employees may also need help while you’re away. Encourage them to ask for help from other employees or even you if needed. This will show that you trust them and you’re confident that they can handle any situation. But you also have to let them make mistakes or they will be reliant on you, making you do the work after all.
7. Celebrate their successes.
Always celebrate their successes and reward them for a job well done. This will further motivate them to continue working hard and meeting your expectations.
8. Address any problems immediately.
If any problems arise, address them immediately. This way, you can nip the problem in the bud and avoid it from becoming bigger. You can hop on a virtual meeting with them to talk about how to fix the problem or contact someone else to stand in your place and help your employees to get back on track.
9. Provide training.
Provide adequate training to your employees so they know how to do their job properly. This will ensure that they are able to work independently and produce high-quality results. Training should involve everything from the process you have set up to how to deal with problems that may arise.
10. Use online tools.
Use online tools to help you stay connected with your business. This will allow you to keep an eye on what’s going on even when you’re not physically present. Different online tools have different features, so you need to find one that fits your needs. Some of the most popular online tools are Skype, Google Docs, and Trello.
11. Be prepared to make changes.
Finally, be prepared to make changes based on the feedback you receive from your employees. Things may not go as smoothly as you expect while you’re away, so be prepared to make adjustments. This will help you ensure that your employees are able to work effectively and meet your expectations.
Managing a business without being physically present can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. By developing a good working relationship with your employees, creating a process or system, and setting expectations, you can make it easier for them to work without you being there. You can also use technology and other tools to help manage your business remotely. By following these tips, you’ll be able to have a successful business even when you’re not there.