
12 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Start Managing a Virtual Team
12 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Start Managing a Virtual Team


Collin takes his turn during the Blue Zoo Creative morning Google Hangout as everyone works Virtually.
Ever wonder why Skype, Google Drive, and Dropbox and other tools for project collaboration are gaining popularity today?
With the increasing competence in the field of professional services, professionals realize their need to create arrangements that will allow them to maintain, if not improve, quality products or services that they produce. In order to produce the best products and services, you must have the best employees working on the best conditions possible. Considering this, there should be no doubt that knowing how to manage projects with efficient virtual teams can be an asset to you.
A virtual team is composed of different people that are not based under a single roof. These people form one group that works to achieve a certain purpose. Members of such group or team accomplish tasks through the use of communication technology. Enabled by technology, the members work across time and space in order to meet their firm’s or their client’s demands.
Here are the reasons why you should not doubt knowing more about virtual management:
1. Cuts Cost
All professionals aim to save as much as they could. Learning how to make virtual teams work can save you resources that require payments such as electricity, food and transportation bills. Conducting meetings among the members of a virtual team would save you resources that are usually required to set a meeting with your team at a certain time in order to work for certain tasks.
2. Doesn’t Demand Too Much Time
One of the most important elements in your system is your time. Engaging into managing virtual teams would allow you to save time and effort of conducting gatherings together. It also allows everyone to work right at their own place or anywhere they are. Of course this is made easy through the use of any collaboration tool.
3. Actual Is Too Orthodox
The unending evolution in all aspects of communication should tell you that communication can be effective and convenient at the same time. As professionals in your own fields, you should learn how to use technology to your own advantages. Don’t settle for something just because it’s familiar. Hone your project management skills, adapt to change and use technology for your own benefits.
4. Employees Are Winners
Being a virtual manager would give your employees a sound working experience because of the flexibility that working virtually provide. Employees can work at their own phase with the consideration of their environmental preferences while. This is a way of creating balance among employees that are talented and diverse at the same time.
5. Employers Get To Be Champions Too
You should engage into managing virtual teams because it will narrow your limitations. Knowing how to handle virtual teams will allow you to utilize your workforce the best way possible. You can specifically assign tasks to your employees according to their field of expertise without worrying too much about their location because you can easily reach them. This way, you can be equipped with the best teams you can possibly create to work on your projects.
6. Increased Productivity
Because you can choose your most talented employees, you can increase productivity since they can work out with their expertise. Also, having virtual teams gives you more time to work on your projects. It does not limit you in the usual schedule required in the offices. Because your work place is basically everywhere, there is no “off hour”. You have more choices for your time preferences that will most probably allow you to be more productive.
7. Attracts A Multigenerational Workforce
Since undergraduates nowadays prefer having freedom even over their work, a virtual team would allow you to have team members coming from different generations. This will allow you to cater to different lifestyles demanded by a multigenerational virtual workforce that can actually help you maintain a competitive professional team.
8. Maintains A Stable Workforce
In relation to the 7th the workforce you need in order to succeed in your business. You have more ability to make them stay and work for your projects because their demands are met in your conditions.
9. Diversity And Creativity
Because you have a diverse group of employees assigned in various projects, you can accumulate more creative ideas in brainstorm sessions and discussion. Diversifying cultures will allow criticisms to be raised and this can stimulate an infinite amount of creativity.
10. Extended Market
Since virtual teams have members that are geographically dispersed, learning how to manage them would give you an extended market. Your members’ presence in different parts of the world will be beneficial to you because you can reach a wider market in a more convenient and personal way.
11. There Is Freedom and Flexibility
Starting your own virtual team allows more independence to your group as a working unit and as separate individuals as well. You can easily shift from doing work to spending time with your family or friends. Due to technological advancements, the workforce is getting more and more demanding because they know that there are possible arrangements in work that can let them live the lifestyle they prefer.
12. You Dream Big
Managing your own virtual workforce is a big step for your company to be able to go global and extended your services in a virtual platform.
Of course, just like any other concept, maintaining a digital team while being effective also has its challenges and risks. Some cases in point are difficulties in time zone variations, internet connection reliability, and more challenging establishment of rapport. Because of these, managers who are planning to engage with virtual teams should learn various virtual team management techniques.
Virtual team management gives you a win-win situation because both you and your employees can discover new assets that you may use for the success of your projects.
Guest author, Aby League, is a qualitative researcher and a passionate writer. She has been writing about health, psychology, and technology. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and is currently taking her Master’s while also balancing her time as a freelance writer and researcher.
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Do you know the three R’s of successful project management?
They are real time, relationship and responsibility. These three R’s of project management can transform an idea into a successfully completed project. When planning a project it is important to give real time schedules in which a project can be finished. To do this, it’s important to make a plan of action. You want to include when will the project start, how long it will take, review points, due date and finalizing with the client.
Maintaining a positive, cooperative relationship with co-workers and clients is also essential to quality project management. Good communication is the key to these relationships. Take a few minutes to email, call and keep the other team members and the client informed about the current project stage.
Assigning individual responsibilities for the tasks and taking responsibilty for the overall project can be the difference between success and failure! Your name is on you work. Do a job that you want to stand behind. Not all projects succeed, but they do teach us about our weaknesses, strengths and where to improve. Practicing the three R’s of project management is your stepping stone to success.
Project management is a dynamic and multifaceted discipline that requires skillful navigation in a variety of domains. From time management to relationship building and taking on leadership roles, the foundational pillars of project management are rooted in the ability to balance and coordinate tasks to ensure a project’s success. Whether you’re a seasoned project manager or new to the field, understanding the complexities of time, relationships, and responsibilities is essential in any project’s execution. In this article, we will explore some key insights and strategies to help you excel in these three critical areas of project management.
As a project manager, one of the most important responsibilities you have is managing time expectations. With time being one of the most limited resources we have, it's essential that projects are completed on time and within budget. This can be a challenge, but with proper planning, it's possible to give realistic schedules in which a project can be finished. Planning a project is a key part of managing time expectations. You want to make sure you have a clear understanding of what the project entails, who will be involved, and what resources will be needed. Once you have a good understanding of the project, you can begin to develop a plan of action. Your plan should include when the project will start, how long it will take, review points, due dates, and finalizing with the client. It's important to break the project down into manageable tasks and assign responsibilities to team members. This ensures that everyone knows what they are responsible for and can work towards a common goal. When developing your plan, it's important to take into account potential roadblocks that could arise during the project. It's unrealistic to expect everything to go smoothly, so be sure to build in some flexibility into your schedule. This will allow you to adapt to unforeseen circumstances and still keep the project on track. Regular review points throughout the project are crucial to managing time expectations. This allows you to keep track of progress, identify any areas where things are falling behind, and make adjustments as needed. By staying on top of the project throughout its lifecycle, you can avoid any surprises that could impact the timeline. Another important step to managing time expectations is to set due dates and communicate them clearly. Make sure all team members know when their tasks are due, and build in ample time for review and feedback. By setting due dates, you can ensure that the project stays on track and that everyone is working towards the same deadlines. Finally, it's important to finalize the project with the client. This is when you will deliver the finished product or service and get feedback. Make sure that the client understands the timeline and is on board with the schedule. If there are any changes or delays, be sure to communicate them clearly. In conclusion, managing time expectations in project management is a critical task. By planning the project properly, breaking it down into manageable tasks, building in flexibility, setting due dates, and communicating clearly with the client, you can ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget. Remember to stay on top of progress and make adjustments as needed. By doing so, you'll be able to deliver successful projects that meet or exceed customer expectations.
Maintaining a positive, cooperative relationship with co-workers and clients is essential to quality project management. Successful project management cannot be achieved without effective communication, and strong communication skills are the key to building solid professional relationships. To be successful in any project management endeavor, project managers must put in the effort to maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders involved, including fellow team members and clients. First and foremost, good communication is fundamental to building cooperative relationships. Communication is more than just exchanging information; it is about connecting with others. Effective communication is about understanding the emotions and intentions behind the information being shared. When communication is practiced adequately, it is possible to build strong relationships with team members and clients. There are many ways to build good communication with co-workers and clients. One way is to take a few minutes to send an email, give a call or send a text with updates about the project. Keeping the other team members and clients in the loop about the current project stage not only helps maintain a positive relationship but is essential to effective project management. In addition to keeping team members informed, it is equally important to listen actively when communicating with them. Active listening means making a conscious effort to hear and interpret what the speaker is saying. It is an essential tool for fostering open communication and building robust professional relationships. Another way to establish a cooperative relationship with co-workers and clients is to practice empathy. By putting yourself in the other peoples' shoes and understanding their point of view, it is possible to build trust and establish a rapport that leads to effective communication. Empathy is also an important trait to have when working on projects, and it can be essential for identifying and addressing any concerns the team may have. Setting realistic expectations and following through on commitments is another key to maintaining strong professional relationships. Establishing clear timelines and keeping the team and clients informed of the progress of the project can help to prevent misunderstandings and miscommunications. Furthermore, it shows that the project management team is committed to delivering quality work on time. In conclusion, maintaining positive and cooperative relationships with co-workers and clients is essential to quality project management. Good communication is the key to building these relationships, and communicating through various channels, such as emails, texts, and phone calls, is necessary to keep all stakeholders informed. Active listening, empathy, setting expectations and following through on commitments are all essential skills that can help to establish and maintain strong professional relationships. Remember, effective project management is about more than just getting the job done; it is also about building and maintaining relationships that enable everyone to work efficiently and effectively.
As a project manager, your reputation is on the line with every project you oversee. To ensure that you are consistently delivering quality work, it is essential to create an atmosphere of responsibility in your team. Whether you're just beginning your career as a project manager or are a seasoned professional, the following tips will help you achieve this goal. Firstly, it is important to establish clear roles and expectations for each member of your team. This will help everyone understand their individual responsibilities and what is expected of them in terms of contributing to the project's success. Being transparent with your team members will give them a sense of ownership to execute their tasks with care and consideration. Secondly, it's important to conduct periodic check-ins with individual team members to evaluate their progress and provide them with feedback. Frequent communication will allow for any issues to be addressed promptly, and it will also ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the project's progress. Another key aspect of creating responsibility in project management is to lead by example. As the project manager, your actions will significantly impact your team's behavior. When your team sees that you are taking responsibility for your work, they will be more likely to do the same. It's also essential to demonstrate integrity and honesty in all of your dealings. Additionally, making sure that everyone has access to project-related data is important. This equates to having a clear understanding of what is happening on the project in real-time. Evidently, regular updates, progress reports and status updates will work best for all stakeholders. Finally, the most crucial element of ensuring responsibility in project management is developing a team culture based on accountability. To achieve this, you should strive to create an environment that encourages your team members to take ownership of their work, hold themselves accountable for their actions, and commit to doing their best to achieve excellent results. In conclusion, project management is not easy, and it requires an excellent level of commitment and responsibility. It is vital to establish clear goals and expectations, monitor progress consistently, take responsibility for your own work, and lead by example. By doing this, you will cultivate a team culture of responsibility that will lead to successful projects and a successful career as a project manager. Remember, ultimately your name is on your work, and your reputation hangs on your ability to be a responsible and capable project manager.
In conclusion, mastering the three R's of Project Management (time, relationships, and responsibility) is essential to ensure project success. Time management skills ensure timely delivery of the project, developing positive relationships with team members and stakeholders improve collaboration and communication, and taking responsibility can foster a sense of ownership and accountability. These skills also translate well into other areas of life. Remember, managing projects can be challenging, but developing these skills can go a long way in making the process smoother for everyone involved. So, start mastering these R's today and take your projects to the next level!
