Working remotely has significant advantages for employees, as it provides more flexibility than ever before. Remote teams have been able to connect and communicate to a certain extent through the advancement and accessibility of technology tools. Nevertheless, managing a remote team poses a new set of challenges, the leading one being a lack of visibility at the management level. Falling short in establishing visibility can cause decreased productivity, stunted workflows, and strained workplace relationships. Long-term success in a remote environment is achieved through cultivating a work culture that reintroduces transparency.

Why does transparency matter?

Building a company culture around transparency not only promotes efficiency and the exchange of information but also makes your employees feel involved in the decision-making process. According to Igloo’s digital workplace report, 60% of remote employees stated that they missed out on significant information because it was communicated in person. When employees feel included and informed about what is happening in the company, they find it easier to adapt to changing industry conditions.

We can break down the importance of developing a work culture around transparency into two key components:

1- The management aspect

Creating a transparent work environment allows management to coherently stay well-informed, understand performance without micro-management and build relationships based on trust.

2- The employee perspective

The transparent workplace culture bolsters employee morale and helps employees form a thorough understanding of their role and how it’s helping the company at large. Most importantly, a transparent work environment presents a sense of job security. More than anything, most employees want to feel reassured that their job is safe and that their company has a promising future. Unclear goals and expectations about an employee's individual role as well as the company's mission can cause concern, even when the company's operations are going smoothly. Being a good communicator and integrating transparency as a core value in the company culture helps management avoid confusions and stressors that negatively affect productivity.

How to increase transparency?

Regular Stand-Up Calls

Having daily or weekly Stand-Up calls is a great way to build a collaborative work environment. Stand-up meetings are brief status meetings that get the company aligned on goals and expectations. These calls can also be utilized to briefly discuss finished or ongoing tasks. The main purpose of these calls is to get the whole team to connect and exchange ideas and updates.

Incorporating Technology Tools

An efficient remote work environment can only be achieved through the incorporation of technology tools such as cloud-based video conferencing services, and communication mediums. Actively using technology tools for communication creates additional opportunities for interaction and makes up for the physical distance by providing opportunities for connecting with the team.

Another key technology that boosts transparency is productivity intelligence software. Productivity intelligence services provide valuable insights on workflows and data-centric performance assessments. Increased productivity is derived from a culture based on transparency.

For more information on how you can create a transparent work environment and transform the productivity initiative of your organization, feel free to download our white paper.

Be the leader of digital transformation by incorporating productivity intelligence software and consulting services at MENTORPERFORMA™.