Top 6 ways to manage organisational change in remote work environments

Managing change is a challenging time for any organisation. But in a remote work environment, these challenges can often be amplified due to limited face-to-face interactions, the increased risk of miscommunication, or difficulties in truly assessing employee sentiment and feeling.  

However with the right approach, remote-first companies can navigate organisational changes smoothly and ensure teams remain engaged throughout. As Change Management experts who work in a remote-first environment, we feel we have a thing or two we can share!  

In this blog, we take a look at some of the ways to adopt this approach, exploring how you can manage organisational change effectively, even in a remote work environment: 

1. Bring in change management experts early 

One of the most effective ways to manage change is to involve change management experts as early as possible in the process. PROSCI, who have developed a change methodology used by thousands of people around the world, say that programmes with excellent change management are 7 times more likely to meet objectives than those with poor change management. 

Whether you use internal change management resource or bring in external expertise, Change Managers can provide valuable insights and implement change strategies tailored to your organisational needs.  

They can help you to ensure you put people at the heart of any change programme, anticipating potential challenges and developing comprehensive plans to address them.  

By involving experts from the beginning, you can ensure a smoother transition and minimise any disruptions. 

2. Use technology effectively 

For a change to be effective, people need to feel informed about it. As such, technology plays a crucial role in managing organisational change effectively, especially in a remote work environment.  

Utilising technology ensures seamless communication and collaboration, allowing staff to stay connected and informed on the change despite not being together physically. Programmes within your Microsoft 365 suite such as Project, Teams and SharePoint can help to enhance collaboration and communication.  

By leveraging the right technologies, remote organisations can maintain an engaged workforce, ensuring the success of the change. 

3. Communicate effectively throughout 

Communicating change is crucial for success. Whether that’s explaining the reasons for a change, keeping teams informed on progress, or driving awareness to any training and learning involved.   

Use multiple channels such as emails, video calls, and your company intranet to cover all bases and ensure everyone receives the information. Consider an in-person event if the change is significant enough. Encourage open dialogue and provide opportunities for your people to ask questions and express concerns.  

4. Set clear goals and expectations from the start 

Setting clear goals and expectations is crucial for managing change, and ensuring its success.  

Define the objectives of the change initiative and communicate them to your team. Ensure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities and how they contribute to the overall success of the project. Regularly review progress and provide feedback to keep everyone on track.  

5. Provide comprehensive support and resources 

Ensuring people feel adequately supported during times of change is essential. Even moreso in a remote environment!  

New systems or processes can be stressful for people, especially if they have been working a certain way for many years. Provide the necessary resources, training opportunities, and tools to help people adapt to the change. Encourage team members to share their experiences and challenges, or consider implementing a Champions programme to provide additional guidance and support.  

6. Celebrate key milestones and successes

Celebrating milestones and successes is important for maintaining morale and motivation during times of change and can be a fantastic motivator and morale booster in a remote-first environment. Recognising achievements, both big and small, helps to reinforce the positives of the change initiative. You could do this through virtual celebrations, such as online townhalls or team meetings, to help make employees feel connected to the change despite the physical distance.