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KKemisola 2 years ago
Virtual workplaces have transformed the traditional business landscape, and it’s clear that they are here to stay. But virtual teams often fail. And when that happens, productivity declines and that ultimately hurts the bottom line.
To solve this problem, organizations simply need to deploy the technology, tools, and training required to ensure that virtual teams can deliver return on investment in terms of increased competitiveness and profitability.
The tips below will help:
Clarify tasks and processes, not just goals and roles
Simplify the work to the greatest extent possible, ideally so tasks are assigned to sub-groups of two or three team members. And make sure that there is clarity about the work process, with specifics about who does what and when.
Prioritize communication systems
Communication is a central aspect of ensuring that your team is working together, on the same page and fully engaged. An important first step is creating systems for communications. These would include guidelines about the specific communication channel to use, e.g., when to respond with an email, when to have a phone call, when to have a video call and when to create a more formal document.
Use project management tools
Project management tools can be ideal to keep track of deadlines. They also send alerts and reminders for deadlines and give you a quick daily, a weekly or monthly overview of what needs to be done, by who, and when. Things like Google Docs can also be a great addition and is great for time tracking applications.
Schedule regular meetings
Scheduling briefings at the same time on the same weekday contributes to creating a routine. Routines provide the team with something they are used to and familiar with. That in return puts the team at ease and reduces stress. Video calls are one of the best ways to maximize efficiency because they recreate the routine office feeling remote teams are missing out on.
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