8 Ways to Boost Remote Work Productivity for Small Businesses

Working remotely can feel like a dream or a big challenge. You’re managing projects, deadlines, and team calls - sometimes all at once. One moment, you’re cheering on your team’s creativity, and the next, you’re wondering why collaboration feels a bit off. 

That said, nearly 70% of employees feel disengaged while working remotely. It’s a huge challenge, but one you can handle! 

Let’s say you’ve just onboarded a new hire, and they’re super excited. But what would it take to keep that energy alive? 

The truth is, it’s all about creating an environment where people feel connected, valued, and inspired every day. From organizing team-building activities (that don’t make people groan) to making learning actually enjoyable, there are plenty of ways to help your team thrive.

This guide will walk you through eight practical steps to make remote work productive and fun for everyone. 

Most companies miss the mark on team-building, settling for these clichés: 

1. Fancy retreats or big-budget activities. 
2. Mind-numbing video meetings no one remembers or wants to. 

You don’t need these. Why? Because they’re missing the real magic: activities that foster real bonding. 

With 2,500% more companies adopting a virtual team-building approach, you can make your virtual team-building fun, exciting, and something your team will look forward to. 

A great way to do this is by hosting a virtual scavenger hunt. Tools like GoosecChase make it super easy to create custom challenges that suit your team’s style. 

For example, you could ask everyone to snap a selfie with their pet, show off their work setup, or share a fun fact about themselves. 

You can even add trivia questions about your company (did anyone actually read the last newsletter?). For completing tasks, give small prizes like a gift card or even an extra day off. This brings way more fun and helps your team bond and feel closer, even if they’re miles apart.

The best thing is that you don’t have to spend a fortune or hours planning to do this. With Gooschase’s free plan, you can add three teams (up to five members) and make your team-building a fun activity - at no cost! 

For many of us, the constant connectivity offered by smartphones and laptops means work can creep into our personal time. With demands from both sides pulling you in different directions, finding that middle ground where you feel balanced is more important than ever.

That said, companies that foster better work-life balance are seeing happier employees and benefits like lower turnover rates and higher productivity.

Here’s what you can do to improve employees’ work-life balance:

✔️ Encourage everyone to take meaningful breaks during the day to clear their mind.

✔️ Loose boundaries for work hours, allowing everyone to set pace on their own.✔️ Use automation tools to keep work organized, automated, and manageable.✔️ Communicate openly with your team about their needs.

Creating a supportive work environment and being proactive about employees' needs can make a huge difference. For instance, flexible scheduling and the ability to work from home can help them adapt their work responsibilities to personal life, not the other way around. 

As an employer, you have a huge role here! You can set the tone by offering tools and support that promote an effective balance. Also, lightening the workload makes a big difference. Use tools like ClickUp or Trello to distribute tasks among employees evenly, ensuring no one feels overwhelmed. 

If the workload demands it, consider bringing in extra hands. With EOR providers like Multiplier, hiring remote talent is a breeze, giving you access to top-tier professionals without the hassle of complex onboarding processes. 

These steps can help employees manage their careers while enriching their personal lives.

You want new hires to feel confident and connected from day one, especially when it comes to remote work. Instead of sending a mountain of PDFs, create tasks that are easy and even fun to complete. Start by breaking down the process into small, interactive steps. 

Why not set up an onboarding as a Goosechase Experience to explore the company’s tools and resources? Let’s say you add tasks like “find where to request time off” or “send a friendly hello in the team chat” for new employees. It’s a fun way to learn, and they’ll feel more connected.

You can also introduce the team through short video messages. Let people share their roles, favorite coffee orders, or even a quirky fact about themselves. This builds connection (and laughter) right away.

Next, track employees' onboarding progress. This is super valuable and allows you to check whether employees are enjoying the process or got stuck. 

Don't imagine a stuffy classroom or dry training modules when you think about professional development. Instead, picture your workplace buzzing with energy as team members engage in educational and genuinely enjoyable learning. 

One effective approach is to integrate game-like elements into learning sessions. You can set up competitions where employees earn points for completing training modules or participating in workshops. This adds a layer of excitement and taps into the natural human desire for competition and achievement.

Next, encourage employees to spend a day shadowing a colleague, like sitting in while they, for example, draft a blog post or polish content. They’ll pick up real-world tricks (and unexpected shortcuts) that textbooks can’t teach, making growth feel practical and collaborative.

On another note, learning doesn’t always mean work-related topics. Offer sessions on mindfulness, time management, or even hobbies like photography. When learning feels fun and useful, you’ll notice people stay engaged and excited to grow.

The goal is to make learning feel more like a community event than a mandatory session. This will encourage team members to relax and open up.

You can’t overstate how important staying connected is when your team works remotely. Clear communication keeps everyone on the same page, reduces misunderstandings, and helps you tackle challenges faster. Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom make it easy to keep conversations flowing. 

For example, set up dedicated channels in Slack for team discussions, quick questions, or even lighthearted chats to keep the workplace spirit alive. Use video calls on Zoom for weekly check-ins to discuss progress or brainstorm ideas face-to-face (virtually). Just keep them short and concise!

Also, make the most of written updates. Share documents using tools like Google Docs or Notion to keep tasks organized and accessible to everyone. The key is to mix structure with flexibility. 

Balance scheduled meetings with space for quick, informal catch-ups, and you’ll keep your team connected, productive, and motivated. When communication is consistent and easy, your team works like a well-tuned engine, even from miles apart!

Celebrating wins(big and small) keeps your team motivated and connected. You want to make people feel valued for their work. You can use Bonusly to give shout-outs for milestones or great teamwork. For example, send a quick “thank you” or “you smashed it” when someone goes above and beyond, adding a gift card as a bonus.

Again, use Slack to create a dedicated #kudos channel. Encourage everyone to share moments when a colleague helped or impressed them. This will build a positive vibe and strengthen relationships.

Moreover, you can automate recognition with tools like BambooHR, which can highlight work anniversaries or project completions. A monthly “spotlight” email featuring top performers works, too! 

Simple actions go a long way! Be creative by sending a handwritten note in a physical package. This can really make someone’s day. Show appreciation often, and you’ll see your team’s energy grow.

Keep a pulse on how your team is really doing (not just what’s on paper). When you track engagement, you can spot patterns and fix issues early. 

Using employee feedback platforms like Officevibe or TinyPulse can truly be life-saving! They can help you gather honest feedback quickly, letting you understand what’s working and what’s falling flat.

For example, set up weekly surveys to ask employees about their workload, morale, and collaboration. Use the data to make informed decisions. Are people feeling overloaded? It’s time to shift resources. Are meetings draining energy? Trim them down or introduce async options.

When your team sees that their feedback leads to real changes, they’ll feel more connected and motivated to perform at their best. 

Give your team the freedom to take charge of their work, and you’ll see them thrive. When employees feel trusted to make decisions, they’re more likely to bring their best ideas and energy to the table. 

Start by setting clear goals and letting your team decide how to achieve them. You’re not micromanaging, you’re empowering. Asana or Trello are the main players for keeping projects on track without overstepping. They let team members assign tasks, set deadlines, and share updates, so everyone knows what’s happening without constant check-ins.

Also, a very important part of this task is to encourage your team to communicate openly about what they need. Whether it’s resources, feedback, or clarification, fostering a culture of open dialogue ensures everyone feels heard and supported. 

In the end, boosting productivity in remote work comes down to building a workplace where people feel engaged, energized, and connected. You can make a real difference by creating opportunities for fun team-building, giving employees room to balance work and life, and celebrating every achievement (no matter how small). 

Keep communication clear and consistent, listen to feedback, and let your team take the lead when they’re ready. Take these ideas, put them into action, and you’ll see results in happier employees and stronger teamwork.