‘3 minutes with’ is our initiative to support positive communications, gain an insight into local businesses, learn from their experience and take away their top tips. This month, we hear from Ray Gillespie, Director at Worcester Web Studio. The talented team specialise in Digital Marketing and Web Design. More about Ray and co can be…
By Ruby Edwards2 min read
‘3 minutes with’ is our initiative to support positive communications, gain an insight into local businesses, learn from their experience and take away their top tips. This month, we hear from Ray Gillespie, Director at Worcester Web Studio. The talented team specialise in Digital Marketing and Web Design. More about Ray and co can be found here. Ray says:
Right now, being able to work remotely in an effective and efficient manner is more important than ever, especially in a creative industry where teams thrive on co-operation. However, this can be difficult to achieve, particularly where team members and departments are used to working in person. Here’s a few tips we have learnt during lockdown that have helped us overcome these difficulties:
- Be realistic. Most of the time, your team will find it harder to work together effectively, and you’ll need to account for this in your scheduling. Don’t just assume that the deadlines you have set will be met, pay closer attention to progress, and keep every informed if any schedules have to change.
- Have regular catch-ups, even if you don’t think you need them. While your team members may not realise they need help, sometimes even the best of us can go off track without knowing, so make sure you check in regularly to ensure everyone is working in the right direction.
- Use video calls instead of phone calls where possible. If you are used to talking to your team in person, using video calls will make it feel much closer to the ‘office norm’, and will help keep your team motivated and driven.
- If you have online meetings with colleagues and external contacts, make sure you speak to your colleagues before the meeting and check they are adequately prepared and are happy with their role in the meeting.
- Try to have recreational video calls, but don’t overdo it! Having a group video call with your team on a Thursday afternoon with a few drinks can be a great way to keep the team spirit up, but don’t make this too regular an occurrence, I think most people know what it’s like to be ‘Zoomed out’, and it’s important not to let a good-willed gesture become a chore for your team.
To join in with our 3 minutes with initiative, please email: ruby@webdevserver.uk.
