Collaboration Tips for Virtual Workers

Remote work can carry incredible benefits for workers and organizations when done right. Not only are remote teams much more productive, but telecommuting is better for the environment and makes for happier, healthier workers. And let’s not forget to mention that remote work is a more cost-effective option for businesses. However, making the switch to virtual teams also carries challenges. For one, collaboration and feeling connected to your co-workers can be difficult when you aren’t in the same space. To improve productivity, increase employee happiness, and ensure everyone is on the same page – wherever they are – businesses need to adopt strong virtual collaboration strategies.

What Are the Best Tips and Tools for Virtual Workers?

The good news is that there are TONS of tools out there to help remote teams function at their best and communicate effectively. Despite working in different locations and time zones, video conferencing helped promote a culture of teamwork and camaraderie.

Before we go over some tips to help your teams improve their work-from-home routines and function at the highest level, let’s look at the best tools for virtual workers:

• Online meeting platforms, like Vai
• Secure files and document sharing platforms, such as Google Drive or Dropbox
• Project management software, such as ClickUp
• Cloud-based fax
• VoIP phone plan
• Communication-focused applications, such as Slack.

Tips to Help Virtual Workers Collaborate.

Now that we know what some of the best tools are to improve work processes, here are tips to help virtual workers collaborate and connect:

• Make sure your expectations are apparent right from the start.
• Leverage the above tools to build a vibrant, productive company culture where everyone feels welcome and part of the team.
• Review your processes from time to time and ask team members for feedback on what areas you could improve.
• Strive to create a diverse and inclusive company culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported.
• Be understanding and realize sometimes, life happens, and deadlines may get pushed back.
• One-on-ones shouldn’t always be about work.
• Take the time to listen to your team members, so they are more engaged and motivated.
• Establish virtual team routines and rituals.
• Invest in the right communication tools.
• Use video to stay in touch.

It’s no secret that digital communication tools like Vai were a must-have during the pandemic as everything went remote. Now that we know remote work is the future of work, it’s essential to move into this new hybrid model with an open mind and the right tools up your sleeve. Want to learn more about Vai’s video conferencing features or cloud-based fax plans? Contact us today!