What do you do if you're a self-employed individual and want to boost team building using technology?

2 Choose the right communication channels

The second step to building a strong team is to choose the right communication channels for your needs and preferences. You need to balance the frequency and quality of your interactions, and use different modes and formats depending on the purpose and context. You can use technology to facilitate your communication, and make it more engaging and effective. For example, you can use a tool like Zoom or Skype to have video calls, a tool like Slack or WhatsApp to have instant chats, and a tool like Google Docs or Dropbox to share documents.

3 Build trust and rapport

The third step to building a strong team is to build trust and rapport among your team members. You need to show that you care about them as individuals, not just as professionals. You need to express appreciation, recognition, and feedback. You need to create opportunities for socializing, learning, and fun. You can use technology to build trust and rapport, and make your team feel more connected and supported. For example, you can use a tool like Kahoot or Quizizz to have quizzes and games, a tool like Kudoboard or Bonusly to have recognition and rewards, and a tool like Calendly or Doodle to schedule meetings and events.

4 Encourage collaboration and innovation

The fourth step to building a strong team is to encourage collaboration and innovation among your team members. You need to foster a culture of openness, diversity, and creativity. You need to invite input, feedback, and suggestions. You need to challenge assumptions, experiment with new ideas, and learn from failures. You can use technology to encourage collaboration and innovation, and make your team more productive and creative. For example, you can use a tool like Miro or Mural to have brainstorming and ideation sessions, a tool like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey to have surveys and polls, and a tool like Loom or Screencastify to have video tutorials and demonstrations.

5 Celebrate successes and learnings

The fifth step to building a strong team is to celebrate successes and learnings among your team members. You need to acknowledge and appreciate the achievements and contributions of your team. You need to reflect and learn from the challenges and obstacles of your team. You need to share and celebrate the results and outcomes of your team. You can use technology to celebrate successes and learnings, and make your team more motivated and satisfied. For example, you can use a tool like Canva or Adobe Spark to create and share infographics and presentations, a tool like Spotify or YouTube to create and share playlists and videos, and a tool like Zoom or Skype to have virtual parties and ceremonies.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?