A Manager’s Guide to Remote Construction Work

The Covid-19 pandemic forced a significant shift in how we work, but it also taught us valuable lessons about managing and motivating remote teams. While the challenges of overseeing employees from a distance are real, companies that adapted successfully found new ways to foster productivity and engagement. A study by McKinsey & Company showed that companies that handled the crisis well had employees who were four times more likely to feel engaged and six times more likely to report a positive state of well-being. This demonstrates the lasting impact of a proactive approach.

So, as we move forward, the question isn’t whether to embrace remote work, but how to do it effectively for the long term. The key lies in adopting the right tools and strategies.

Here are the four pillars for successfully managing and motivating your remote workforce:

1. Embrace Cloud-Based Operations

To thrive remotely, your business needs to be agile and resourceful. The most successful companies have accelerated their digital transformation by migrating their assets and processes to the cloud. This isn’t just about enabling remote access; it’s about unlocking substantial benefits. Cloud migration enhances collaboration, allows for seamless operation from anywhere, and can lead to significant cost savings through automated, error-free processes. It is the fundamental step toward building a truly flexible and scalable organization.

2. Go Mobile with All Your Tools

Remote work demands more than just a laptop; it requires a complete suite of mobile solutions. Empowering your employees with the right equipment and tools ensures they can access everything they need to complete tasks and projects, regardless of their location. This includes mobile-friendly platforms for instant communication and secure document sharing. Consider industries like construction, where managers can now use mobile solutions to manage equipment, generate maintenance reports, and securely access work files and servers directly from a tablet or phone at the job site.

3. Streamline Time and Attendance

Gone are the days of paper timesheets and manual payroll headaches. The modern remote workplace requires a secure and automated system for tracking employee hours. Cloud-based platforms allow hourly, salaried, and subcontracted employees to easily input their time, manage time off, and get approvals. The real advantage, however, is an integrated system that automatically transmits this data to payroll, eliminating human error and streamlining a critical business process. This provides both employees and management with a clear, accurate, and transparent record of work.

4. Shift to a Goal-Oriented Approach

With remote work comes the potential for distraction. To combat this, management must focus on outcomes rather than just hours worked. Adopting a performance management system is key. This type of system helps you establish clear, goal-based tasks and projects, fostering a more productive environment. It also provides a structured way to offer continuous feedback, conduct accurate assessments, and document progress, strengthening the employer-employee relationship and ensuring everyone is aligned on shared objectives.

Ready to Simplify Remote Work?

Managing a remote workforce in complex industries like construction doesn’t have to be difficult. CEM Business Solutions offers specialized applications designed to meet your unique needs. Our Daily Log, for example, acts as a mobile assistant for construction managers, effortlessly tracking every job site detail and relaying it back to the office.

Ready to see how our solutions can work for your business? Book a personalized demo today to learn how we simplify remote workforce management and drive productivity.