How to Successfully Build a Virtual Team
These days, you’d be hard-pressed to find a company that hasn’t at least dabbled in remote work in the past few years. Organization leaders have understood that this arrangement is necessary to ensure the health and well-being of their workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many leaders are also discovering that it’s a bit more difficult to build an effective team virtual team.
Here Are a Few Ways to Help You Put Together the Team of Your Dream:
Look at it as an Opportunity
In March 2020, companies were forced to switch to remote work, seemingly overnight, assuming it would be a temporary fix. Two years later, it’s clear that remote work is not going anywhere. Remote work offers a number of benefits for employees, such as decreased commute time, more flexibility, and increased work satisfaction.
Here are six ways remote work can benefit the organization too:
- Access the global workforce.
- Participate in an extensive global market.
- Provide training and development opportunities through virtual means so employees have the flexibility of time and location to sign up.
- Save operational costs.
- Maintain a smaller environmental footprint with less commuting, office space, utilities, parking, and waste.
- Reduce stress on employees.
Stay Updated on Virtual Technology
To put together a virtual setup that is built for success, you need to have the right technology. Try offering your employees a small work-from-home stipend. That way they can buy whatever necessary supplies they need to work comfortably, like a new office chair, without having to break the bank. Your employees can set up their home office, knowing their workplace values their environment, no matter where they are.
Leading Virtual Teams is Different
Remember, leading a virtual team is different than managing a physical team. Putting together a successful virtual setup is only 10% of the process to build an effective virtual team. With the right leadership and guidance, remote workers can be even more productive and successful than in-person employees. Make sure to address any concerns your colleagues may have about remote work, and help them find a solution that meets their unique needs. Your employees are looking to you for answers! Always be open and honest will encourage them to do their best.
Trust Your Team
No team, whether in-person or remote, is successful without trust. If you didn’t micromanage your team in the office, don’t do it at home. Trust that your team will meet their goals, and will reach out to you with any problems. Encourage open communication that allows constructive criticism on both ends. It doesn’t hurt to check-in with them either, but don’t be too overbearing. Respect is a two-way street. And when trust is also present you have nothing to worry about!
Creating an employee experience where everyone feels welcomed and valued will bring your company more benefits than you think is even possible. Bundle can help your remote, hybrid or in-person team communicate and collaborate more successfully with our virtual sessions! We have a variety of professional, personal, and team development sessions that are designed to improve your employee’s engagement and overall productivity. Contact us today so you can book your FREE trial session and we can answer any questions you may have!
