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For years, companies have worked diligently and intentionally to break down silos in their organization. They know the value of having a connected workforce, where essential information is fluidly shared and systems and processes work the way you do, not the other way around. 

And then the massive migration to remote work happened. 

For many companies, sending workers home and taking a remote-first hiring approach built new silos that keep people and information inboxes. Teams continue to work together, but are often out of touch with what’s happening in other departments. What’s more, Gartner’s research shares that 41% of employees don’t feel connected to their colleagues while 26% feel isolated.  

Here’s how to overcome remote work silos so that productivity can thrive. 

Connect Job Duties to Company Goals 

Remote workers, especially contractors, often work individually. They know their contributions are part of larger goals, but they also need to be able to connect their work to company outcomes.  

For example, an outsourced social media manager needs to know the reasons behind the content they create and post. How does content help to support the company’s brand? What impressions does it create on the audience? What information do they discover along the way that could benefit the rest of the team or company? 

Make sure each employee is able to understand the why behind the what. Then, foster an environment that’s conducive to sharing. 

Create Systems that Promote Collaboration 

In-office teams have several easy ways to collaborate and share information. Because everyone works in close proximity, meetings can be held on demand. Conversations take place over water coolers and in break rooms. But these aren’t feasible in a remote work environment.   

Rather, collaboration depends on having the right technology and systems in place to keep people connected. These same systems should include ways for people to face time, give feedback even when it’s not asked for, and make it easy to receive team updates.  

Also, don’t fall into the trap of investing in too many tools and systems. This only makes the problem of information sharing worse, as people don’t know where to look for what they need. Keep it simple and limit the number of tools and systems you use. This also reduces the learning curve for keeping up with all the various processes, allowing each team member to spend more time contributing to your end goals. 

Host Weekly Alignment Meetings 

While workers will spend most of their time on their own tasks and duties, they also deserve to know how the company is faring as a whole. Otherwise, it’s like being asked to complete a small part of a jigsaw puzzle and never getting to see the finished picture.  

Hosting weekly (or regular) alignment meetings keep everyone on the same page. Each person knows how they are contributing to larger company goals and can keep those goals in mind when prioritizing their own work. 

If you’re ready to build on your remote team, Thankz is here to connect you with highly skilled offshore experts. Reach out today and let’s collaborate!