Managing employees can sometimes be a challenge. However, it is also one of the most valuable and economical ways of conducting your business, especially if you’re a large contractor.
In this post, we take a look at some actionable strategies for managing field workers and how you can implement them effectively. Read on to find out more:
Share All Your Information In Real-Time
Ideally, you want real-time information channels open between you and your employees so that you can see what they’re doing at any given part of the day. Managers and employees who have access to the latest data can be much more proactive in their people management and allocate resources more effectively between projects.
Make Your Company Goals Clear To Remote Employees
If you’re hiring people on a freelance basis (or your employees rarely come into the office), then aligning them with company values can be difficult. Don’t assume that they’ll necessarily tow the party line. Many may take matters into their own hands, presenting your company in a way they feel is appropriate, not you.
It’s critical, therefore, to take time to educate all the people working on behalf of your organization about what you expect from them. Be clear on your company goals and the tools you want them to use to achieve them.
For instance, suppose that you’re a plumbing company that fields plumbers to residential properties throughout the day. And let’s say that your competitive advantage is the quality of your customer service. If that’s the case, then you should make it clear that offering great service is your top priority and everything else is secondary to that – perhaps even the work itself.
Get The Right Tools
Unless you have the right tools for managing employees, you’ll always struggle to do a good job of it.
First, you’ll need site activity management software that links to your headquarters. You’ll also want vehicle trackers and for each worker to carry their own digital tachograph card. This way, you can see when they clock on and off and how many miles they are driving to clients.
Depending on the nature of the work, you may also need to invest in team collaboration and communication tools. These allow workers to phone the office if they get stuck on something or find themselves in trouble. Field staff requires high-quality mobile devices that allow them to track customer interactions and see where they need to go next.
Schedule Regular Meetings
Remote employees are usually more than capable of organizing their own time. But it is still critical to include them in meetings where appropriate, if only to check in with them.
Remember, you never quite know what’s going on in the lives of remote workers. Everything might seem quite normal on the surface, even if they are going through a personal crisis. Real human connections help to build bonds and trust, making them more likely to stick with your company.
Try these actionable strategies for managing employees today and see if it makes a difference in your business.
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