How to succeed with remote development team
In modern working life, remote work is becoming increasingly popular, especially in the technology industry. Having an external development team can be an effective way to add new expertise and expand capabilities, but it requires careful management to ensure success. Here are some keys to being successful with a remote development team:
Treat everyone as your own employees
Even if your team is spread across different geographic areas, it's important to treat everyone as if they were in the office. This means including them in the company culture, giving them access to the necessary resources and encouraging collaboration. When everyone feels part of the team, productivity and well-being increase.
See each other physically
Although much of the collaboration takes place digitally, personal meetings are important. Try to schedule physical meetings, ideally every two months, where the team can gather and collaborate face-to-face. This helps build strong relationships and strengthen team spirit.
Use communication tools such as Teams/Zoom
Modern technology has made it easier than ever to collaborate across distances. Use tools such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Slack for regular communication. Don't limit conversations to work-related topics; take the time to get to know your colleagues and build personal relationships.
Build a strong brand
Include the developers abroad as an important part of the company's brand. Send them corporate merchandise, t-shirts and other gifts. This shows that you value their contribution and want to include them in the company culture, even if they are geographically separated.
Being successful with an external development team requires a conscious effort to build strong relationships, maintain effective communication and include everyone as an integral part of the organization. With the right approach, an external team can become a valuable asset that contributes to your company's success.
Show confidence
Trust is critical to success with a remote development team. Give the team autonomy to make decisions and trust them to deliver results. This gives them ownership of the projects and increases commitment.
Team building for everyone
Organize regular team building activities that include everyone, regardless of where they are located. These can be virtual games, competitions or joint projects that encourage cooperation across national borders.
Introduce flat organizational structure
A flat organizational structure provides more flexibility and transparency. This can help reduce hierarchical barriers and encourage more direct collaboration between team members.
