Virtual teams have become the cornerstone of productivity, flexibility, and cost-efficiency even before the pandemic. You can leverage the full potential of virtual teams with the correct technology, allowing your organization to thrive in a remote office. In this article, we’ll look at some unique recommendations for business owners on how to use technology to your benefit, with a particular emphasis on outsourcing to virtual staff.
1. Video Conferencing Solutions
Invest in reliable video conferencing software like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet. These tools facilitate productive virtual meetings, screen sharing, and webinars, giving your team members a sense of presence and connection regardless of their physical location. This is affirmed by Spearline stating that 87% of employees connect with coworkers using video conferencing applications.
2. Outsourcing to Virtual Employees
Outsourcing tasks to virtual employees is one of the most effective techniques for leveraging technology. Since distance is no longer an issue, you can now hire competent professionals from all over the world. This is not only going to boost your team’s productivity. It can also help you increase cost savings. In fact, Global Workplace Analytics revealed that businesses can save $11,000 on each onshore employee if they choose to go remote. Moreover, remote team members can supplement your in-house team or handle special projects quickly by tapping into the global talent pool.
3. Cloud-Based Productivity Suites
Gone are the days when employees passed documents in paper form. Today, employees can take advantage of the convenience that comes with accessible information and easy editing. Additionally, according to Sales Force, 91% of companies saw enhancements in their ability to comply with government requirements with the cloud.
Consequently, leaders have embraced cloud-based productivity suites such as Google Workspace (previously G Suite) and Microsoft 365. These platforms provide a suite of tools such as email, document creation, spreadsheets, and more, all of which are accessible from any device with an internet connection. This allows your virtual team members to collaborate and share documents seamlessly, boosting efficiency by offering real-time updates.
4. Project Management Tools
According to ProofHub, groups waste a total of 12% on resources because of poor project management. What can you do to mitigate this? To keep track of tasks, deadlines, and project progress, use project management applications such as Trello, Monday.com, or Asana. These platforms include capabilities like task assignment, file sharing, and timeline visualization, which make it simple to manage remote teams and keep everyone on the same page.
5. Data Protection and Privacy
Implement effective cybersecurity measures to ensure data security and privacy. To protect sensitive information, use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), two-factor authentication, and encryption. Update your remote staff on best practices for protecting against cyber attacks on a regular basis.
6. Employee Productivity Evaluation
According to Market Splash, 90% of surveyed respondents believe that effective time management boosted their productivity. What does this mean for business owners? Time management strategies are more important now than ever before. In particular, you can consider employing productivity tracking solutions such as Time Doctor or Hubstaff to measure and optimize the productivity of your remote crew.
These tools allow you to track work hours, and time spent on projects, and get insights into the efficiency of your staff. Despite the optimization that comes with these tools, it’s important to maintain a balance between monitoring and preserving your team’s privacy and autonomy.
7. Onboarding and Training
Invest in online training and onboarding technologies to guarantee that new virtual team members adjust and perform in your team. Leaders or coaches can create personalized training courses using platforms such as TalentLMS or Teachable, making it easy for remote employees to learn about your company’s culture, processes, and tools.
The Bottom Line
You can unlock the full potential of virtual teams by embracing these new techniques in harnessing technology. Outsourcing to virtual employees, using cloud-based productivity suites, project management tools, video conferencing solutions, prioritizing data security, monitoring productivity, collaborating on documents, and investing in online training and onboarding will not only optimize your remote workspace but also position your business for success in an increasingly digital world. Adopt these ideas and thrive in the changing business climate.
Approach remote work with a reliable partner on your side with Managed Outsourced Virtual Employees or MOVE. Reach out to gain insights on your outsourcing journey.