6 Tips on Effectively Managing Virtual Teams

Managing any team can be difficult, but managing a virtual one may present its own unique challenges. In today's world, traditional or physical teams are becoming increasingly rare. Businesses are embracing the flexibility of remote work and are integrating people from around the globe into their teams.

Virtual teams have become a standard way for companies to do business, with all the benefits that come with them, such as cost savings, increased productivity, and access to a worldwide pool of talent. However, working in a virtual environment might pose difficulties for collaboration among team members. As a result, for virtual teams to succeed, managers must take a few extra steps to ensure that everything is running smoothly. Let’s take a look at six tips on effectively managing virtual teams.

1. Regularly hold team huddles.

Team huddles are among the most effective ways to boost productivity. They can be scheduled at the same time on the same weekday to develop a routine. Routines provide the team with a sense of familiarity. Because video conversations can imitate the familiar office environment that remote employees miss out on, the team is less likely to be anxious and might feel more comfortable.

2. Utilize project management tools.

When managing a virtual team, using project management tools is incredibly helpful in monitoring project progress and keeping track of deadlines. These tools make project, task, and team management much easier — as well as ensure that you save your valuable time.?

Here are a few you can try out:

• Trello — is a popular online project management software with built-in collaborative features for working with teams. It's easy to use, and simple to set up.
• Asana — is a collaborative project management (SaaS) tool. They provide workflows where you can automate recurring tasks.
• Monday.com — is a straightforward, effortless project management software that combines a visually appealing interface with valuable project visualization tools.
• ProofHub — provides a centralized workspace for to-do lists, workflows, Gantt charts, discussions, calendars, and documents.?
• Airtable — combines the best features of spreadsheets and databases. It's adaptable and simple to use, and it's perfect for businesses of all sizes.

3. Make use of communication tools.

Communication tools, like project management systems, are key to managing a remote team. They allow you to efficiently manage discussions, comments, questions, and responses, and when it comes to managing remote teams, nothing is more important than effective communication.?

Here are a few softwares that might work for your team:

• Slack — one of the best communication tools available, it's noted for its user-friendly interface, and it serves as a virtual headquarters for many teams, where they mainly share files and integrate tools.
• Google Hangouts — is a popular communication platform. It's simple to get started, especially if you're already acquainted with Gmail and other Google Apps.
• Zoom — many teams utilize this web video conferencing software to hold meetings. It's one of the better alternatives to face-to-face contact, and you can get started for free.

4. Encourage a reward-driven environment.

Working from home can have a significant impact on productivity. Not being surrounded by people might have a significant impact on the quality of your team’s work. When working face-to-face with coworkers, it's easy to foster a healthy competitive spirit, which can be motivating for the team. However, when working from home, that competitive energy may be lacking.

The simplest way to approach and overcome this is to create a reward or incentive system that flourishes in a competitive setting. Here are a few things you can do:?

• Congratulate your workforce for completing a challenging assignment.
• Provide rewards to the best worker of the month.
• Allow for days off once your objectives have been met.
• Organize fun virtual activities and meetings.

5. Have your team report on their progress.

As a leader, you'll want to keep an eye on what your team is doing and whether they're progressing in their responsibilities as intended. This can be done by arranging regular meetings and asking them about their progress. You'll be able to recognize and discuss potential roadblocks and assist your team through successful problem-solving.

6. Show compassion for your team's needs.

Your team has personal lives and commitments, and sometimes this might have an impact on their work efficiency. This is especially true if they work from home, because they can't escape their problems by going to the office.

As a manager, you can take a few steps to help your staff balance their personal and professional lives:

• Encourage employees to speak with your HR team if they're experiencing difficulties that are interfering with their work.
• Create a healthy workplace where employees can focus on their duties and projects.
• Allow team members to delay low-priority tasks when possible – be realistic about the workload.

In Conclusion,

All of these may seem overwhelming, but there is no need to follow each one in order to improve your management skills. Focus on the ones that are more achievable for you and your team. You’ll quickly begin to see improvements in your work environment, and you might find it easier to put these steps into practice.

The most important thing to remember is to value your employees, listen to their needs, and establish a happy working environment.