I run a SaaS business and have been managing it with a fully remote team. Developers are doing great, but I’m struggling with the sales and marketing side. They don’t seem to manage themselves well, and productivity feels low.
Does anyone have experience handling this? What tools or methods work best to keep remote teams organized and productive?
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Honestly, just hold regular check-ins and make sure they know what’s expected. Simple accountability works wonders.
This sounds more like a management problem than a tech one. The easiest way to fix it is to set clear goals and track progress. If they don’t meet their targets, have a process for dealing with it. Micromanaging is a bad idea, but having clear policies and expectations in place will help.
Have you tried using spreadsheets for planning or having regular meetings? That might help keep everyone on track.
What works for me is focusing on outcomes instead of hours. For example, if they finish what’s expected in 20 hours, great—they still get their full pay. For sales, a commission structure could keep them motivated. For marketing, set weekly goals. It’s all about making expectations clear.
I used to run a service business where my team was always at client sites. One-on-one calls and team check-ins were essential. My wife works remotely too. Her team uses a program to track client work and has weekly video calls. Her old company had a rule that all communication had to be on video. It was annoying at first, but it really helped with connection and teamwork. Maybe something like that could work for you.
Finding the right people makes all the difference in remote work. I thought I was bad at managing remote teams until I started hiring better. The problem is, a lot of people who don’t work well remotely are the ones who really want remote jobs. Be extra careful when hiring.
Big companies are moving back to the office for a reason…
Gray said:
Big companies are moving back to the office for a reason…
Maybe, but I doubt it’s about productivity. There are other factors at play.
Gray said:
Big companies are moving back to the office for a reason…
Maybe, but I doubt it’s about productivity. There are other factors at play.
It’s funny how there’s so much debate now about working from home vs. office work. Everyone has an opinion.