How to Support Your Sales Team Morale While Working Remotely
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July 1, 2021
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September 13, 2021
The idea of remote working was unthinkable for many companies a few years ago and now, dare I say it, it’s become the new normal.
About two-thirds of Australians were working remotely in November 2020. And recent data suggests that about 80% of Australian companies expect the trend to continue long term. Many start-ups are also looking to build effective remote teams without offices at all and potentially use co-working spaces for face-to-face meetings on an ad-hoc basis.
For remote working to be successful, employees need to work in a team they feel supported in. In difficult times, morale becomes critical to a company’s success, particularly for a sales team who need to remain positive to be successful. This gets difficult when everyone is working from home.
Here are seven tips to build employee morale so companies can remain productive and improve retention.
1. Stay in touch
Are you in regular contact with your employees or work colleagues? Have regular chats to build relationships. It can be lonely working from home so simple conversations can help your team feel connected. It shouldn’t be all about their KPIs. Make sure they feel heard and ask them about their needs and how they are coping with working from home.
2. Have Virtual Events and Team-Building Activities
Part of your workplace culture is the banter and fun you share together, working from the same place. With remote workers at home, you’ll need to be more intentional to maintain your culture and have some fun together. Remote workers should not miss out on the work-time fun and games. Organise virtual events such as birthdays, celebrate success and have team-building activities once in a while. It gives everyone a chance to relax and reconnect as friends. According to Gallup research, a happy workforce leads to an increase in performance, 41% lower absenteeism and 21% higher profitability.
3. Employee Recognition
When we feel isolated, we don’t feel appreciated. A little recognition can go a long way. If a team member has been performing well, make sure they know you’ve noticed. Research suggests that organisations with recognition programs are twelve times more likely to have strong business outcomes. Having one-on-one feedback sessions or awards presented in team meetings, acts as a positive reinforcement to produce great results as a team.
4. Encourage Breaks
In an office setting tea breaks and lunch can be a great social time. At home team members are more likely to get a load of washing on or do the dishes. While these activities may provide a mental break, they are not as effective as a complete break from tasks or social connection. Research suggests only 1 in 5 people step away for lunch. While you can’t really force people to take breaks, you can encourage them to do so by asking what they got up to for their lunch break? Did they go for a walk, or call a friend? Staying glued to the desk can hamper productivity and makes for a boring day, since there is no change in environment. Encourage your team members to take frequent breaks throughout the day.
5. Collaborate on Goal Setting
It is important that every employee is not only aware of the company’s goals but also has a say in these goals. Teams and individuals will feel a sense of connection and fulfillment if they contribute to the goals of the organization. It helps create a sense of purpose and boosts their morale.
6. Promote Wellness
Burnout and fatigue are putting employee’s health at risk. A University of South Australia study found full-time workers in organisations that don’t prioritise mental health, increase the risk of depression. Promote employee wellness programs and online exercise classes. A 10 week transformation program is a great health initiative, if your team is up for the challenge. and even counselling sessions if the need arises. Provide a safe space for employees to discuss their challenges and help them find solutions as best you can. Sometimes a listening ear is all it takes.
7. Have Fun
I know we’ve covered this in the six points above however it’s worth mentioning again because its critical to the success of a remote workforce. The team is hired to work, yes, but that should not mean you don’t connect as friends and have some fun together. Oftentimes, sales staff are social people who love to have some fun. Show your team you care. Make your organisation, a safe space for people to engage online and share about their life and other interests. Have online calls once in a while, where people can have a good laugh together.
Final Thoughts...
The idea of remote working was unthinkable for many companies a few years ago and now, dare I say it, it’s become the new normal.
About two-thirds of Australians were working remotely in November 2020. And recent data suggests that about 80% of Australian companies expect the trend to continue long term. Many start-ups are also looking to build effective remote teams without offices at all and potentially use co-working spaces for face-to-face meetings on an ad-hoc basis.
For remote working to be successful, employees need to work in a team they feel supported in. In difficult times, morale becomes critical to a company’s success, particularly for a sales team who need to remain positive to be successful. This gets difficult when everyone is working from home.
Here are seven tips to build employee morale so companies can remain productive and improve retention.
