When I started my first remote company in 2017, I was met with a lot of skepticism. Many people believed that remote work would lead to a loss of productivity and a lack of team culture. However, from my experience, remote work has actually helped us to maintain a connected and productive workforce. Here are eight ways I’ve learned to maintain productivity in a remote team:

1. Set clear expectations: Make sure every member of the team knows what is expected of them and what they are responsible for.

2. Communication: Communication is key, especially when working remotely. Use tools like video conferencing, instant messaging, and email to stay in contact with team members.

3. Use project management software: Project management software can help manage tasks, deadlines, and progress. This ensures that everyone knows what they need to do, and when.

4. Offer flexible working hours: Offering flexible working hours means your team can work when they are most productive and it also shows you trust them.

5. Encourage breaks: Encourage your team to take breaks throughout the day. Taking breaks helps them to stay focused, energized, and productive.

6. Regular check-ins: Regularly check in with your team members to see how they are doing, what they are working on, and if they need any support.

7. Virtual team building: To maintain a sense of team culture, organize virtual team building activities. This can include video conference games, virtual coffee breaks, and even virtual team lunches.

8. Celebrate successes: Celebrating successes, such as project completions, milestones, and personal achievements, can help to motivate and retain your team members.

These are just a few strategies that have helped me to maintain productivity in my remote team. With clear expectations, open communication, flexible hours, and a proactive approach, a remote team can be even more productive than a traditional office-based team.