Are you in a virtual team and want to make it work? Here are Latamforce’s favorite virtual team communication strategies that can help build your desired team performance.

1. Learn what your team’s desires are

It is fundamental that everybody’s needs are taken into account in the long run, in order for overall success. Keep in mind that everyone has different needs, some people enjoy working virtually, and others prefer working in the office. The key is to learn which path each team member desires, working virtually or working in the office.

2. Provide in-person options for those that want them

It is important to offer a hybrid approach so that employees have the option to go to the office when they want to. Sometimes working on a daily basis from home can become overwhelming, and you might feel the need to be surrounded by people and noise, in order to not feel so lonely. A great example is WeWork, where employees reserve a desk or a meeting room for the day. This is sometimes referred to as a hotelling model. The good news: your home office rent costs just got cut in half.

3. Check-in with employees regularly

Part of a healthy management strategy includes keeping a pulse on how employees are doing, what they are struggling with, and how you can support them. If you want your employees to grow, stay productive, and continue strengthening your organization’s investment in them, they need short and long-term goals, meaningful milestones, and guidance.

This can and should still happen in a virtual workplace, just as it would in-person. Whether team leaders schedule formal meetings with their staff, offer virtual office hours, or simply make themselves accessible via Slack and email, employees need to know that someone is listening to, responding to, and supporting their needs.

4. Avoid zoom fatigue

Nowadays, working virtually, our group meetings are via web videos, such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. The problem with using these platforms is that it can become tiring, resulting in sore eyes, and a facility to become distracted.

We highly recommend that you only schedule meetings that are a necessity, keeping them to a minimum, so that this does not happen.

5. Trust your team

Even though research has shown time and again that employees working from home are more productive, it still makes some team leaders nervous. You may be wondering how can they hold their employees accountable… The answer is in the deliverables, which is the same metric you would use at the office. Ask yourself the following: Does the work get done? Are deadlines met? Do they attend meetings? If they do not, then have a discussion, but if they do, then it is okay to give them flexibility, as long as they let others know when they will not be available.

The way we communicate with others is essential to building trust.

The bottom line

At Latamforce we enjoy being a virtual team. We think it makes businesses more efficient, saving them from spending on unnecessary costs, and making most staff members materially happier with the increased flexibility that comes with working from home.

The things to keep in mind most about building a strong virtual team is the same as you would be doing in the office, keeping your communication effective, your relationship with your virtual group close, and sticking to a routine. 

Having run a virtual business for the last couple of years, it certainly has presented some challenges. We have learned from them, resulting in our scaling of the business to new heights, with an engaged and loyal team.

Want to learn more and need help building a dream team with the right talent? Book a call with us right now, and you will not regret it.