Do you know what your remote staff are doing? Remember when “working from home” meant an excuse to nap between emails? Yeah, those days are long gone. Remote work is here to stay, and while it has its perks (hello, no traffic!), it also comes with challenges—distractions, lack of motivation, and the occasional NEPA wahala.
So, how do you ensure your remote staff stays productive without feeling like they’re stuck in an endless loop of Zoom calls and WiFi troubles? Here are 10 solid strategies to keep your remote team on track.
1. Start the Day with a Proper Routine
Picture this: Chinedu rolls out of bed at 8:55 AM for his 9 AM meeting, still in his pajamas, eyes half-closed. By the time he’s fully awake, half the day is gone.
A morning routine sets the tone for the day. Encourage your team to wake up early, exercise, shower, and dress like they’re actually going to work—even if their “office” is just a corner of their bedroom.
2. Set Clear Work Hours
Just because someone is working from home doesn’t mean they’re available 24/7. You don’t want your staff answering emails at midnight or during Sunday Jollof sessions.
Establish fixed working hours and ensure everyone sticks to them. This prevents burnout and keeps productivity high.
3. Create a Distraction-Free Workspace
Let’s be real—working from the bed is a scam. Productivity disappears once that duvet pulls you in.
A dedicated workspace helps the brain switch into “work mode.” Encourage staff to set up a comfortable desk area with good lighting and minimal distractions. If possible, noise-cancelling headphones can help drown out the neighbour’s generator or unexpected “Up NEPA!” celebrations.
4. Utilize the Right Tech Tools
You can’t be running a remote team with just WhatsApp and prayer. The right tools make collaboration seamless.
Use apps like:
✅ Slack for instant communication
✅ Trello or Asana for project management
✅ Zoom/Google Meet for meetings
✅ Google Drive for file sharing
Good tech removes the confusion of “Who is handling this task?” and prevents the famous “Ah, I thought you were doing it” moment.
5. Set Daily and Weekly Goals
Nothing kills productivity faster than waking up and thinking, What exactly am I supposed to do today?
Have clear daily and weekly objectives so your team knows their targets. A simple “To-Do List” can turn chaos into clarity.
6. Encourage Regular Breaks
Here’s a fun fact: Humans aren’t robots. Shocking, right?
Encourage staff to take breaks. The Pomodoro Technique (working for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break) works wonders. Nobody can function at full speed for eight straight hours—not even the most hardworking Nigerian.
7. Foster Team Bonding (Even from Afar!)
Remote work can feel isolating. If your team only talks during meetings, there’s a problem.
Create virtual team-bonding sessions—game nights, online trivia, or even casual Friday check-ins where you gist about non-work topics. It keeps the team spirit alive.
8. Avoid Meeting Overload
Some companies think “Let’s have a meeting” is the solution to every problem. Please, stop it.
Only hold meetings when necessary and keep them short and structured. If an email or Slack message can solve it, don’t waste 30 minutes on a Zoom call discussing it.
9. Promote Work-Life Balance
Just because someone is at home doesn’t mean they should be working all the time.
Encourage staff to log off at closing time. No one should be answering work emails while trying to enjoy their Amala.
10. Provide IT Support for Smooth Operations
Nothing frustrates remote workers more than tech issues. Imagine spending half the day troubleshooting WiFi instead of working.
Ensure your team has access to reliable IT support, device maintenance, and cybersecurity measures. This reduces downtime and increases efficiency.
Final Thoughts
Productivity in remote work isn’t about monitoring who’s online 24/7—it’s about creating an environment where work flows smoothly. With the right systems, clear expectations, and good work culture, your team can stay productive without feeling drained.
And if you really want to upgrade your remote work setup, investing in IT support and automation can help eliminate unnecessary stress. But hey, that’s a conversation for another day. 😉
Which of these tips do you find most helpful? Let’s discuss in the comments!