Remote work is decidedly on the rise, with an increasing number of companies embracing the benefits it brings. While remote teams are commonplace throughout the US and Europe, they are also on the rise in other parts of the world. Depending on the exact location, remote work tends to present some unique challenges.
Nigeria has embraced remote work as well and given their unique challenges, both companies and employees stand to benefit from this business model. The implementation might prove tricky, however, but not impossible. Here are 5 unique challenges and tips on how to lead a geographically dispersed team from Nigeria.
1. Erratic Electricity Can Make Remote Work Impossible
While most tech can be used and installed anywhere, the one thing it needs is access to electricity. Public services in Nigeria can sometimes be sketchy at best. Thankfully, tech itself can provide the solution to this. Portable solar-powered electrical systems can keep remote employees up and running independently of any public utility services, or lack thereof.
2. Bad Data Providers Can Make Data Transfers Slow
Along with electricity, internet speeds and data transfers in Nigeria are not always reliable. Conversely, however, there are different internet service providers to choose from.
Depending on your line of work, you will have to look at multiple factors, like speed and bandwidth included. While one provider may be down or offer limited service, another may be up and running just fine. One of the best ways to ensure your remote employees always have a reliable internet connection is to set up a backup provider for them.
3. Collaboration Tools and Cybersecurity Make Remote Work Feasible
One of the biggest challenges of remote work anywhere is having the right tools to emulate an actual office. Luckily, cloud computing enabled affordable access to tools that promote collaboration and ensure all data is protected.
You can find a tool for everything – from working together on a task or document to watercooler chit-chat to keep the spirits high or blow off some steam. Tools that foster collaboration and communication such as Office 365, Trello, Slack and Skype are major contributors to helping build functional, efficient teams no matter where they are located.
Such solutions are coupled with advanced security and encryption, so there are no worries that someone might break into your data centers and steal your data.
4. Not Travelling to Work has Great Merits
Eliminating the need to commute is generally considered a universal benefit to employees and employers. Traffic presents a whole new level of challenge in a country that has electricity issues and traffic lights or any form of traffic control might not be functional at all times.
Coupled with poorly connected and infrequent public lines, especially train lines, commuting can take hours. When employees have access to everything they need at home, employers don’t have to wonder whether their employees will even be able to show up to work that day.
5. Easier Skill Development
By freeing up your remote team’s time from commuting, you can actively encourage them to personal and business development. Best of all, with the wide range of online courses and online degrees available, there’s plenty to choose from.
As with all managerial positions, leading a remote team anywhere is not without its challenges. In a region with such diverse cultural backgrounds, however, developing remote employees can have significant advantages. While it is important to create opportunities for employees to meet together and even socialize, allowing employees to work from their own homes can help avoid some of the social and culture clash that can sometimes derail projects undertaken by an office-bound team.
