You're struggling to keep your virtual team connected. What's the best way to boost communication?

Fostering a connected virtual team involves emphasizing the human element through practices like starting meetings with personal updates, utilizing icebreakers for a relaxed atmosphere, promoting mentorship programs, encouraging work-life balance, being mindful of language and cultural differences, experimenting with various virtual platforms, and instilling a culture of continuous learning through shared resources and webinars.

1. Use video conferencing for meetings and updates 2. Encourage regular check-ins and feedback 3. Establish clear communication channels 4. Foster a culture of open communication 5. Provide opportunities for virtual team building

Selecting communication tools is like choosing the perfect outfit for an occasion. Zoom for face-to-face elegance, Slack for swift interactions, and Asana for organized precision. Yet, just as you tailor an outfit, effective use requires training rehearsals. It's about knowing how to wear the tools with finesse, creating a seamless performance. Continuous practice keeps us in style, ensuring our virtual ensemble stays impeccably connected. Enjoy my reference :)

Here are a few tips on virtual team connectivity and engagement: 1) Set up a group chat on Teams or Slack for Life related engagement - birthdays, happy monday, fun gif's, etc. 2) Set up weekly team call at the same time every week 3) As the team leader, send out team accomplishments every two months by team member or core team. We can lose sight of the progress we're making and feel isolated otherwise 4) Consider a daily 'stand up' in periods of hard deadlines creating a space to ensure everyone is on the same page. I only use this intermittently with specific people engaged in that specific deadline. 5) Set up 1:1's with key stakeholders on a recurring basis 6) Keep notes of what you need to speak with people about so you are prepared

Transmit clear expectation and plan accurately should always happen. But when working in a virtual team it become even more important. It should ensure that all people are adequately involved, committed and engaged. I my view it is important to fix regular meetings, for the entire group and for subgroups whenever needed. Although this should not exclude not planned communications: everyone should be aware that he can get support whenever needed

In my experience is as imporntat as in non-virtual team. But circumstances requires more focus and committments. There is no chance of crossing each other in the office or something similar. The risk is to diminish feedbacks substantially. Be careful and plan in order to avoid that. And do it always on a bilateral basis.

In my experience it is important to maintain a regular bilateral relation with each team member. It gives to each team member the chance to express things that they would never express in a collective meeting. These bilateral contacts can also happen without a specific subject and planning. And can also focus on personal matters, rather than purely professional. If you call everybody regualarly, people will feel more supported, valued and a true component of a "real" virtual team.

In virtual teams some members could remain "hidden", become less pro-active. Becasue of character or other reasons. Therefore, I suggest to ask each member an opinion or contribution, when you have group meetings. Pay attention to whom remains "behind" and involve him personally