Summarize the following:
It can be intimidating for remote employees to reach out to other employees if they don’t know one another first. Choose a few important staff members that the remote employees will interact with and introduce them over a video conference if possible. Otherwise, give the remote employees the staff members’ contact information so they can reach out if they need to. Try to anticipate any problems or questions the employee might have and include these details in your manual. Specific details help the employee understand what to do more quickly.  For example, don’t just say “Submit your work when you are done.” Instead write, “Click the button that says ‘Submit’ to send in your work when it is finished. This will refresh the page and take you back to the main portal.” Make sure to cover details like how to report hours, where to submit work, or who to contact if something goes wrong. In addition to telling your employees how to do something, make sure they understand any rules, quotas, or guidelines they will be expected to follow. How much are they expected to do a week? How often should they communicate with you? When should they submit their work by? For example, you might say, “We expect you to take 5 calls an hour” or “We need you to check your email at least once an hour between 9 AM and 5 PM.” If there are any special programs or equipment that the employee has to use, provide clear visual instructions showing them how to use it in addition to written instructions.  If you’re working with a computer platform, use a screenshot program to take pictures or videos of the screen demonstrating each step in the process. Diagrams and graphics may be useful for employees who need to install special equipment or software. If you have many remote employees, you may want to hire a company to design an online training module to help automate part of the training process. These companies will work with you to create a personalized platform using videos and interactive tools.  These companies may advertise themselves as training or recruitment consultants. While this can be a more expensive option, it will save you significant time if you have to frequently train employees.
Introduce key members of the company staff to the remote employees. Specify how to complete tasks in detail. Establish quotas and expectations for each task. Incorporate instructional videos and images for software or equipment. Invest in a web-based training program for large companies.