The working world is changing fast. More and more companies are creating “virtual teams” – groups of people working together from locations across the country, or the world.

Cutting edge technology allows us to work in increasingly flexible ways, bringing skills and experience together from diverse locations. Thanks to the internet, faster and more reliable communication, and emerging collaborative tools, people can work together wherever they’re based.

Virtual teams may be good for business, but this globalised way of working comes with its own particular challenges. Yours may still be a traditional team in the sense of working together to achieve a common set of objectives.  But when set of colleagues is based in London and another in Singapore, for example, how do you ensure they achieve their goals? Just put the following techniques into practice:

Establish your aims

It’s not about location – it’s about a sense of belonging. Each and every member of your team needs to understand their role and the overall project goal. Make sure each person sees the bigger picture rather than just looking at their own role.

Take on the right technology

It’s amazing what’s out there. You’ll find there are all kinds of powerful tools to help you manage your project and your virtual team. Get the right technology and you’ll soon have your team moving in the right direction, whether you use audio conferencing, video cameras, collaborative software, or shared directories.

Be sensitive to cultural differences

From first introductions to closing the deal, culture affects the way people behave in business. Across the globe, colleagues work together in different ways. That’s why it’s essential to take cultural differences into account. What is standard business practice in one culture may not be acceptable in another. Your employees might not all work from the same location, but it’s vital for the success of your project that they get on and understand eachother’s perspective. Working across multiple countries and cultures requires sensitivity.

Communicate, communicate, communicate

Communication is the secret behind the success of your project. So how do you make this happen when your virtual employees are thousands of miles away from eachother (or even just down the road)? Working at a distance demands a strong focus on communication so that everyone understands what’s expected. Your employees need to feel connected to stay fully motivated. Make sure communication is steady and consistent – and keep everyone in the loop.

Keep assignments short and sweet

Stay in control of your virtual project with bite-size chunks of work. A long assignment and distant deadline is not likely to work well for a virtual team. Instead of assigning a six-week activity, for example, assign the work in three two-week activities. This means you’ll be able to check progress much more quickly and take the action you need to along the way. You’ll also have more scope to check exactly how well your virtual team is working.

It’s an increasingly small world. With the right teamwork, technology and training, you could reap big rewards! And do not forget – we are here to help you.