Striving to understand how to measure work from home productivity in the most efficient way? You are not alone. The majority of managers are wondering what the best metrics are for gauging the real performance and engagement of their employees.

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Tech development has enabled companies to provide never-before-seen flexibility in the work environment. At the same time, digital solutions for productivity tracking are developing and becoming more sophisticated by the minute.

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Continue reading to learn more about the ways to measure true performance.

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1. Choose the Right Metrics

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Clear and specific performance metrics that align with your company’s goals go a long way. They are the basis of effective productivity tracking efforts.

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Keep in mind that simply clocking in and out is far from an actual productivity indicator. Instead, focus on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as revenue growth, net profit, project completion times, and customer retention rates. These are the metrics that will reflect the actual value added by each team member, as well as the whole team.

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2. Monitor Productivity the Right Way

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Time-tracking tools might seem appealing for monitoring productivity. Nevertheless, instead of increasing efficiency and fostering a culture of accountability and trust, they often lead to resentment.

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Remember that productivity is not merely about the time spent working, but about meeting and exceeding set goals and KPIs. On top of this, relying too heavily on time tracking can lead the workers to focus on quantity over quality.

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Adequate supervision of remote teams is impossible without the right software. Insightful is a good example of a well-rounded and scalable tools specialized in tracking productivity for remote workers. Besides tracking time, this software monitors employees’ screens and activity. This way it equips you with enough data to assess the actual performance of each remote worker.

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3. Set Clear Goals

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Setting clear, specific goals is a must in remote work environments. Vague objectives such as "enhance online visibility" will only confuse your team members.

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Instead, set a measurable goal, like increasing website traffic by a specific percentage within a set timeframe. In other words, "boost traffic through SEO by 20% in 6 months'' is a much clearer objective.

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A target formulated in this manner enables managers to track progress accurately. It also allows them to adjust strategies as necessary, ensuring remote workers are aligned with the company's objectives.

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4. Track ROI & Foster Trust

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Assessing the ROI of remote employees’ efforts against company goals is fundamental for understanding their level of productivity. In order to reach maximum productivity, the employees need clear goals and open, honest communication.

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Trust between managers and remote workers is fundamental. Managers need to believe in their team's ability to self-manage and meet objectives. This trust can also be reinforced through regular check-ins and support rather than micromanagement.

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5. Nurture a Culture of Productivity 

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Building company culture is an indispensable aspect of remote work management.

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On one hand, managers need to strive to maintain and encourage a supportive and friendly environment. This will, in turn, result in increased productivity.

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On the other hand, they need to evaluate how remote employees contribute to this culture. Are they engaged and proactive? How well do they integrate with and contribute to this culture? Monitoring software for employees can provide you the valuable insights you need to answer these questions.

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Only an environment that fosters engagement, innovation, and mutual respect can sustain productivity when working from home.

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6. Ensure Effective Communication

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Effective communication is the backbone of remote work sustainability. Tools that allow instant messaging and video conferencing make up for the lack of non-verbal cues present in face-to-face interactions.

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Set up standard company-wide communication tools, such as Slack, Zoom, and emails. Also, clarify how and when team members should communicate.

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Establishing clear communication protocols ensures that everyone is on the same page. This will prevent misunderstandings, foster collaboration, and enhance overall productivity.

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Conclusion

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Remote work presents a unique set of challenges. These range from ensuring team members feel connected and valued to maintaining high levels of productivity without direct supervision.

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To sustain remote or hybrid work, a change in mindset from both managers and employees is necessary. It encompasses moving away from traditional office-based metrics to a more results-oriented approach.

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Set clear KPIs, foster a strong culture, and emphasize effective communication to help your remote teams be thoroughly productive.