Virtual teams - how to manage them successfully

Working in virtual teams is in tune with the times - more than ever! Even companies that want to slowly approach digitalization now want to act due to corona and offer home office solutions. This presents difficulties, but also great opportunities - far beyond the pandemic!

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1. keep your eyes open when putting together your virtual teams:

You think colleagues don't see each other all the time, so it doesn't really matter whether the chemistry is right? The opposite is true! Virtual teams in particular are in constant contact and have to pull together to achieve results. As non-verbal communication is limited, colleagues should, if possible, be on the same wavelength.

Tip: Team-building measures also work virtually - they create closeness, even at a distance!

2. make it easier for yourself with the right tools at your side:‍

Emails and phone calls are the most common tools of choice in today's working world. This is not enough for digital teams. Therefore: use the tools available to improve the workflow. Popular everyday work tools such as Google Docs, I-Cloud and Dropbox promote a connected workflow. All members of the team can access the data in parallel and even edit it if necessary.  

Tip: It is also appropriate for the meeting culture to support telephone meetings with visual aids. There are a wide range of options, from Skype, Teams or Zoom - the door is wide open for virtual team meetings.

3. structure, structure, structure:

If all employees are in different places, it can quickly happen that everyone cooks their own little soup and loses sight of the big picture. Therefore: Give your team structure through clear framework conditions. With a weekly joure fixe, the whole team comes together and everyone gets the opportunity to present their status quo. This also keeps the team in contact.‍

Fun tip: Use these dates for team-building activities by incorporating small virtual game sequences that are fun and lighten the atmosphere.

4. feedback is the be-all and end-all:

In virtual teams, the important "door-to-door conversations" are no longer necessary. You don't meet at the coffee machine to "just have a chat". Therefore: use video conferencing for regular short one-to-one meetings. Pay attention to your language! In virtual interaction, facial expressions and gestures, non-verbal communication is often limited and the prevailing mood cannot be captured as easily as in real life.

5. formulate goals:

It is emphasized again and again, because it cannot be said often enough. Digital teams need particularly empathetic, but also crystal-clear leadership. This also means that goals are not only formulated in detail, but are also repeatedly addressed. Goals for each individual as well as the goals for the entire team.

Tip: Set easily achievable medium-term milestones to create a sense of achievement more quickly. This motivates your employees.

Would you like to find out more about virtual teams? Then get in touch with us.