Hubstaff’s guide to a distributed workforce: Myths, trends, and strategies

The landscape of work has evolved, and the prevalent shift is towards a distributed workforce. 

Unsurprisingly, there’s a portion of leaders fighting against this trend. The belief that employees absolutely must be stationed in an office environment to produce good work continues to persist.

In response to this notion, Hubstaff has written a report, The Workstyle Revolution, that details experiences and survey data, finding that execution, and not the remote model itself, may be the true culprit behind supposed low productivity. 

This article examines Hubstaff’s findings and recommendations when it comes to managing a distributed workforce. 

What is a distributed workforce?

A distributed workforce refers to a team or workforce spread across different locations. They often work remotely from various geographic regions rather than being centralized in one physical office location. 

This arrangement allows employees to work from home, coworking spaces, or other remote locations while staying connected through digital technologies and communication tools.

It’s expected that the distributed workforce model will grow, especially as global digital jobs are set to grow to over 90 million roles by 2030. 

For its part, Hubstaff champions the distributed workforce model. 

According to CEO Jared Brown, “Productivity isn’t about where your team sits; it’s about creating systems that empower them to thrive.” 

Effect of workstyles on a distributed workforce

Perhaps more important than the question of where people work is how they work. 

In a distributed workforce, the diverse workstyles of team members can significantly impact collaboration, productivity, and overall team dynamics. The best practice is to recognize how different tools, systems, and cultures affect the resulting output. 

It all comes down to leadership. This new workstyle revolution presents an opportunity for leaders to change things for the better. 

Distributed workforce performance: Myths vs reality

From its survey of 842 respondents, Hubstaff found these results: 

• 85% disagreed that remote workers are less productive. 
• 70% disagreed that it’s harder to communicate with remote teams.
• 64% disagreed that remote work was an obstacle to collaboration and effective teamwork. 
• 85% disagreed that remote work stifled innovation. 
• 65% found it less difficult to manage remote teams than in-house, onsite teams. 
• 84% disagreed that outsourcing produced low-quality work. 

Additionally, those who used remote monitoring tools like Hubstaff were even less likely to believe the myths. 

It becomes clear that this is a matter of fixing processes instead of seat placement. 

5 key trends in workforce transformation 

Amid the dynamic evolution of the modern workforce, organizations are witnessing five pivotal trends that are transforming distributed workforce dynamics:

1. Generative AI adoption

Generative AI has revolutionized the workplace, enabling automation of content creation, data analysis, and customer interactions. 

With companies leveraging AI-driven tools, the stage is set for employees to reach new heights in innovation. As the technology evolves, businesses must invest in upskilling to ensure an optimized workforce. 

2. Intentional leadership

New workstyle models also call for new leadership styles and behaviors. Hubstaff’s playbook emphasizes trends of inclusivity, adaptability, and precision hiring. 

Transparent communication, empathy, and data-driven decision-making are essential to managing distributed workforce teams effectively. Organizations that prioritize intentional leadership see improved team morale and productivity.

3. Global team dynamics

With the rise of distributed workforces, companies are hiring talent from across the globe. This expanded talent pool has resulted in diverse and multicultural teams, with different members bringing in new perspectives and ideas. 

This drives innovation, but it requires businesses to embrace flexible work policies, cross-cultural collaboration tools, and localized management strategies. 

4.Increased automation and AI integration

Companies are determined to use AI to make employees’ jobs easier. Automation can handle all the repetition and tedium, allowing them to focus on high-value work. 

AI-powered workforce management solutions are improving resource allocation, reducing manual administrative work, and enhancing operational efficiency. 

A firm that embraces AI-driven automation for its distributed workforce gains a competitive edge in optimizing workflows. 

5. Hybrid work models

Struggling between an in-office arrangement and remote work? Hybrid work models offer the best of both worlds for your distributed workforce. 

Naturally, there are other things to consider when implementing a plan. How many days a week should employees come onsite? Should you mandate specific days or give employees the freedom to decide?

Studies have shown that two or three in-office days strike a good balance. These should also be paired with activities that prioritize team cohesion and interactions.

On the other hand, giving employees the choice results in boosted job satisfaction, autonomy, and work-life balance. 

Whatever the decision, make sure you have a defined yet adaptable strategy in place.

According to Hubstaff, “The secret to productivity isn’t where you work, it’s how you work.” 

5 ways to manage distributed workforces better

Hubstaff recommends these five strategies to manage your distributed workforce: 

1. Redefine productivity

In a distributed workforce, productivity shouldn’t be about hours worked but about outcomes achieved. Leaders should shift their focus from monitoring screen time to measuring key performance indicators (KPIs) and results-driven goals.

Setting clear expectations and using time-tracking tools like Hubstaff helps ensure employees stay on track.

2. Master asynchronous communication

While real-time communication sounds good, it’s not always an option. Asynchronous communication allows employees across different time zones to work effectively without real-time meetings.

Encourage the use of documentation, project management tools, and recorded updates to minimize misunderstandings and keep workflows moving smoothly. 

3. Foster innovation and creativity

Encouraging creativity in a remote setting for a distributed workforce requires intentional effort. 

Leaders can foster innovation through the following actions: 

• Creating virtual brainstorming sessions
• Leveraging collaboration tools 
• Providing employees with the autonomy to experiment and develop new ideas

A strong culture of trust empowers employees to think outside the box.

4. Streamline meetings

Excessive meetings can hinder productivity, especially for distributed teams. It’s estimated that inefficient meetings cost employers an annual average of $29,000.  

Consider adopting a “meetings with a purpose” approach. This will require limiting unnecessary calls, setting clear agendas, and encouraging asynchronous updates when possible. 

5. Build agility in leadership

Leaders managing a distributed workforce must be adaptable, open to change, and skilled in remote management strategies. Agile leadership involves regularly reassessing goals, staying responsive to team needs, and leveraging workforce analytics to optimize performance. 

Investing in leadership training and technology-driven management tools can enhance decision-making in remote settings.

Hubstaff’s solutions for a distributed workforce

If you find yourself in need of a partner to help you manage your distributed workforce, look no further than Hubstaff. 

Hubstaff is committed to helping businesses succeed in the distributed work revolution. Its platform contains a suite of workforce management tools that enable you to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and maintain remote teams effectively. 

You can enjoy these advantages from Hubstaff: 

• A new level of productivity: Hubstaff provides tools for efficient time tracking, activity monitoring, and performance analysis, giving you insights so you can identify ways to improve.
• Seamless automation: Hubstaff automates various workforce management tasks, minimizing input and speeding up operations. 
• Global payroll solutions: Managing payroll for a distributed workforce is complex, but Hubstaff ensures timely and accurate disbursement. 
• Simplified workforce management: The Hubstaff platform offers a unified dashboard for all the tools you need to align and scale your distributed workforce team. 
• Data-driven decisions: Hubstaff empowers businesses through its data, allowing them to make informed decisions and plans. 

Hubstaff aims to build a culture where distributed workforces soar, regardless of their location. With Hubstaff’s unique tools, you’re set for a bright future in this new era of remote work.