Managing Remote Workers: A Director of Operations' Perspective

As you can imagine, managing a remote team has its own set of logistical and operational challenges. But as our team continues to grow here at MGA, so does our number of remote workers. We get asked over and over again: how do we really do it?

We currently have team members based out of Dallas, Austin, and Phoenix, as well as one who spends the majority of her time traveling. And to get an inside glimpse into what types of operational hurdles exist for managing remote workers, we decided to ask our Director of Operations, Michael Miller, a few questions about what this new work environment looks like from his perspective.

What does remote working look like for you, from a Director of Operations’ perspective?

Remote working is a big part of what we do here at MGA. Talent, attraction, and retention are part and parcel to our business. We use remote technology as a way to enhance what we can do for our teammates, which ultimately allows them to harness what they can provide for our clients.

Remote technology enables us to work more efficiently and constructively across geographic time zones and other boundaries that historically existed.

How have you seen remote working evolve over the last decade?

It's really changed pretty significantly. Remote technology always came with certain risks — security, where does the data reside, how do they access the data, what's their efficiency in accessing remotely, etc. The advent of certain technologies and the enhancement of certain protocols has really allowed us to accelerate that.

For example, it's no longer this complex gateway that you have to go through. While it's now even more robust than it's ever been from a security standpoint, our users who are authorized to access data can access information quickly and seamlessly, and more importantly, can collaborate with their team members no matter if they're in Texas, Arizona, central, or eastern.

Tell us a little bit about the technology that you use to keep people connected.

Again, collaboration is critical. What's important with remote technology is that the users don't feel remote. Even though they're not next to you or down the hall, they are still connected. So we utilize a variety of technology, including VOIP for voice and audio where everyone is only a three digit extension away.

We also utilize video conferencing at every desk in the office as well as each common area, so calls are all coordinated with visually seeing the person you're talking to and interacting with. I can see the rise of a brow, whether they’re next door, in front of me, or three states over.

As Michael noted, we’ve come a long way over the last decade with remote technology. Managing a remote team is easier than ever today with the abundance of resources available. It’s all about doing the research and finding the technology solutions that work best for you and your team.

If you’re looking to implement a remote working strategy for your business, you’re in luck! As we’ve been through much of the trial and error, we have trusted processes and technology tools already in place that work. We can help you do the same.

How can we help you move your business forward? How can we help you retain your talented and experienced professionals?

We are here to make the complex simple.

Let's talk!