As a result of the current circumstances the world is in right now, many companies and organizations are working remotely to continue the growth of their businesses. This means most of their employees are working from the comfort of their homes in the form of virtual teams that do their best to help the company reach new heights.
In general, virtual teams consist of groups of individuals who work together from different locations using various virtual communication tools. These can be anything from video conferencing to messaging applications and collaboration software that allow them to reach common goals together.
However, building a successful virtual team has become a real challenge for many leaders as they are required to create a corporate culture outside the office.
In order to do this right, here are five strategies that could help you build a productive and effective virtual team in no time.
Set up an effective communication strategy
The most important aspect to consider when building a successful virtual team is setting up a good communication strategy. Without it, there will be a complete lack of coordination and transparency between all team members which may certainly affect the future of the company. It is up to the team leaders to find ways to improve communication among employees and create that internal feeling of togetherness.
For example, virtual lunch and learn programs are a very effective option as they combine both fun and learning at the same time. In general, they are short, training-focused programs that take place during lunch break in which team members can exchange information and ideas that will undoubtedly help improve their communication skills.
Build trust with your team members
Trusting your employees is one of the key factors when it comes to building a successful virtual team. Once you have made your expectations clear, you should believe that your team members will do their best and deliver what has been asked of them. In order for this to go smoothly, there are three things leaders must do.
First, they must offer their employees adequate resources and tools so they will have everything they need to get the job done. Secondly, each employee should be given ownership of a specific part of the strategy and be held accountable for their results. Lastly, leaders shouldn’t micromanage, but rather give their team space to work and get their job done.
Enhance collaboration with your virtual team
Although team members may each have their individual tasks, there will be times when they will need to come together and work collaboratively. This is especially important if your virtual team crosses time zones and must participate in remote meetings or online discussions.
For example, since your employees will be most likely working from home, you should establish ground rules and create a set of expectations for how sessions should run. These include addressing things like background noise, phone use or any sidebar conversations. Also, make sure you track your team’s commitments using tools such as Google Drive that allow you and the other members to view and edit documents in real time.
Find the right people to work with
A successful virtual team should include those individuals that are able to fulfill your expectations and deliver what you ask of them. With that being said, it is important to find the right people that will communicate, collaborate and trust each other to do their best for the good of the company.
For example, you can pick your team members based on their performances and skills that will help you determine whether they are the right fit. Most team leaders look at their employees’ soft skills and make the decisions by relying on their personal qualities that are needed for success on the job. These include time management, networking, teamwork, creative thinking and conflict resolution.
Form bonds by spending time together
Making your employees spend time together can help them form bonds that can lead to building a successful virtual team. This can be anything from arranging weekly meetings to organizing virtual team-building events during which all professional skills will be employed.
For example, instead of doing the round table of what everyone has been working on, you should call for an online discussion that invites all team members to share what they did that working week. This way everyone else can give advice or ideas on anything that needs to be improved.
A more relaxing, but also effective way to bond with your team is to engage in a team-building activity that will focus on enhancing people’s working skills.
Final thoughts
Building a successful virtual team can certainly assist in the growth and development of your company. As a team leader, you must possess the right leadership qualities to help your employees in the process and push them towards reaching a common goal.
From employing the best communication strategies and enhancing collaboration to building trust and bonding with your team members, there are several strategies you should rely on to create a productive and effective corporate culture remotely.
