Mastering Asynchronous Work

It used to seem like everybody worked a traditional, office job. However, we’re long past those days. Now, the norm is fully-remote and hybrid work, global teams, and flexible scheduling.

This prompts employers to wonder how exactly to run a successful operation when your team isn’t working the same hours and schedules. Asynchronous work seems like it would end up in complete chaos more times than not. However, companies worldwide prove that async work is possible, as long as you have a plan.

If you want to excel in an asynchronous workplace, read on.

Incorporate the Right Tech Tools

Technology is critical in asynchronous work. When your team members aren’t in the same place, you must rely on technology to connect, communicate, and collaborate. This means incorporating the right tech tools for flexible work is one of the first steps to take when mastering asynchrony.

Assess your software systems and tools. Consider how supportive they are of your team’s workflow. If they aren’t supportive, define gaps in this support and steps to help your team be more productive. You can use this info to research new tools and systems that would benefit an asynchronous workplace. Some of the most important features of asynchronous-friendly tech include:

• Cloud-based software;
• File-sharing capabilities;
• Messaging features;
• Secure access points;
• Video capabilities.

Finally, request demos and implement your final decisions one by one. Make sure to provide your workers with training so that they know how to use everything effectively. This is crucial when out-of-office because there isn’t tech support available across the hall or at the next cubicle. As long as asynchronous employees know how to use the tech that is available to them, they will be able to effectively communicate and may even up their productivity.

Improve Your Cybersecurity Measures

As you incorporate more technology, cybersecurity becomes that much more critical. Your employees may work in different time zones, states, or countries. With that comes logging in to workspaces on various networks and devices at different times, opening your company up to new cybersecurity threats.

Strengthening your cybersecurity measures is a must if you want to move to asynchronous work. Teach your workers how to engage online safely and pinpoint potential threats, like phishing scams and malware.

It’s also important to assess your cyber risk as a business. Look at how vulnerable your tech tools and software are to cybersecurity attacks as they stand now. Consider internal and external threats. Then you can decide which security solutions are suitable for your company.

Adjust Your Onboarding and Offboarding Processes

An in-office employee’s onboarding and offboarding processes will look different than those a hybrid or fully remote employee will go through. A successful asynchronous team requires onboarding and offboarding processes unique to this work environment.

Work with your employees to determine what they need to succeed individually and as a team scattered across different locations. Get their take on effectively welcoming a new team member into such an environment. Also, ask them how best to send off an employee when it’s their time to move on.

Take a look at your current onboarding and offboarding processes. Notice the moving parts that are reliant on in-office, synchronous communication. Then, reevaluate how you could transition this to work more asynchronously. This could mean prioritizing more social interaction between coworkers at set times, providing better technology, or adjusting training initiatives.

Establish Communication Guidelines

Asynchronous workers are required to communicate differently. Managers can’t pop over to their employees’ desks for quick conversations. Traditional watercooler conversations are no longer possible. Some employees work during the day while others are plugging along at night. And everyone relies heavily on technology.

Establishing communication guidelines will help facilitate a seamless workflow and strong individual relationships among your team.

Your communication guidelines should include:

• An action plan if an immediate response is needed;
• Best practices for communicating about less urgent matters;
• Designated times for social interaction;
• Employee contact information, including notes on preferred method of contact;
• Spaces for real-time chats about projects;
• Specific, company-wide communication channels;
• Purpose of each communication channel;
• Time zones and schedules of each employee.

Be sure to tailor these guidelines to suit the unique needs of your employees and organization as a whole.

Schedule Meetings Everybody Can Attend

It’s challenging to get everyone in the same room at the same time, especially when employees are in different time zones. However, a few regular meetings that everybody can attend are essential to a well-oiled asynchronous workplace.

Planning company-wide meetings with an asynchronous team will require some extra work. You must factor in the time zones each employee is in and determine a time suitable for most, if not everyone, on your team.

It’s a good idea to send out a feeler email with a choice of times before making a permanent decision. In addition, think about hosting the meeting at two different times to ensure every employee gets to participate.

Scheduling these inclusive meetings will bring the team together, establish lines of communication, and ensure you’re all working from the same page.

How Add-On Products Can Help You Master Asynchronous Work

As mentioned above, mastering asynchronous work requires the right tools for your unique team. Add-On Products offers various services and solutions to create a productive, flexible workplace that supports asynchronous work.

For example, our meeting room booking system can help you organize your meetings and attendees. You can book conference rooms, workspaces, and desks for yourself and your team with our workspace booking app. This is crucial if you have a hybrid working model, allowing employees to meet up on the go. You can also improve internal and external communication with dynamic digital signage.

Request a demo, and free trial we’ll get you on your way to an effective asynchronous work environment.

Conclusion

Mastering asynchronous work doesn’t have to be a long, tedious process you and your team dread. Instead, with the right tools, processes, and company culture, your remote team can excel despite working in different ways, at different times, and in different places.