Our top tips to keep your team engaged whilst working remotely

What is successful online engagement? Is it possible to have genuine, meaningful interactions with people when you're separated by physical distance and screens? Or is it all just virtual insanity leaving you and your team overwhelmed and burnt out by one zoom after another?

In this blog post, we'll explore the concept of online engagement, and we'll provide tips on how you can make your online engagements more successful!

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), more than 40% of Australians are still working from home (over 60% for managers and professionals), a clear legacy from the pandemic, and as more and more employers embrace hybrid working from home options, and flex working - full-time office work is looking to become a thing of the past for many. Whilst that may send some into a panic, many others will actively seek this arrangement when looking to choose a new employer so it will pay to be ready.

Companies that adopt and embrace online engagement strategies, will do well to ensure their culture remains not only intact but can use the opportunity to be even better than ever. Culture is driven through collaboration, shared experience, and a sense of purpose, all of which can certainly be done remotely.

So, what is online engagement?

The term 'engagement' is used a lot in the business world, but it can be difficult to define. Generally speaking, engagement refers to the level of interaction and involvement that someone has with a product, service, or brand. In the context of online engagement, this means creating meaningful and intended interactions with staff, as well as customers or clients that result in a positive connection to your business remotely.

Some people argue that online engagement is nothing more than virtual insanity - that it is impossible to have real, human interactions when you're not face-to-face. While it's true that there are challenges to online engagement, we believe that it is possible to create highly successful online engagements.

Here are a few tips to replicate those get-to-know-you chats from sharing a birthday cake around a colleague's desk, or popping over to the water cooler:

Create a personal connection and don't be afraid to show your personality

When you're engaging with someone online, take the time to create a personal connection. Ask questions about their interests, their business, or their life outside of work. Get to know them as a person and don't be afraid to show your personality and let the other person get to know you too. Share something about yourself.

Make an effort

Just like any relationship, online engagements take effort. You need to be intentional about your interactions and make an effort to connect with the other person. Sure, sending an email might be quicker, but a quick video call could lead to learning much more. It can be easy to forget someone when they aren't sitting opposite you so it can be simply ensuring you do connect and engage.

Communication is key

Communication is even more crucial than ever. Nothing will turn off employees faster than badly communicated (and managed) expectations. From setting clear expectations about work deliverables to providing information about the company's policies to setting goals to offering feedback, ensure your message is appropriate and communicated effectively. Again, taking the time to customise your conversations makes you more likely to establish a meaningful connection with the other person and subsequently build trust.

Create new habits!

If you want to create successful online engagement, you need to be intentional about it. Set aside time each week to connect with people online. Make it a habit, put it in the diary, and stick to it. Mix it up between business-specific progress meetings and having a bit of fun as a team with a game or a quiz. There are several virtual team-building activities that you may use in addition to your regular routine without becoming tedious.

Be mindful of screen overload.

Online engagement can be tiring. It's important to take breaks and give your eyes a rest from the screen. In lieu of a stroll through the office to go get a coffee, encourage your team to get up and walk around, make a cup of tea, or step outside for some fresh air before an online meeting so that everyone is focused.

Limit meetings

It can be tempting to have lots of meetings (especially when incorporating a mix of work and play) when you're working remotely, but too many meetings can lead to Zoom fatigue. Keep them concise and fun when they need to be. When you finish your meeting, make sure there is a clear plan of action with the next steps and deadlines. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what needs to be done.

Create an online community for your staff

This is an important one because it transcends business and personal. This can be a great way for staff to connect with each other, seek advice, and get support. It can also be a valuable resource for you as a manager or leader and such forums can offer both business and personal interests to foster internal communications on many levels across different teams and business lines. For example, an online yoga community for all your practicing yogis, a book club for the avid readers or perhaps that new project would benefit from a think tank group?

Don't rule out face to face!

Personal contact is still vital for human beings and there's no doubt that personal interaction is extremely beneficial for teams. Encourage and schedule face-to-face encounters whenever feasible.

By taking the time to personalise your interactions, you will be more likely to create a meaningful connection and when you have a strong connection, it's easier to build trust and rapport - both of which are essential for successfully working remotely and business relationships in general.