![\"Managing](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Managing-virtual-teams-cover.jpg\")
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- A virtual team is a team that mostly communicates via digital platforms. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Learning how to effectively communicate remotely is key to proper virtual team management. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Finding effective virtual team management tools makes leading teams easier. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Creating a healthy work culture is just as important with remote teams as it is with on-site ones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Training your employees to work remotely and use proper tools goes a long way in improving team management.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What is a virtual team?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A virtual team is any team that mostly communicates and performs their work via digital platforms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A literature review on virtual teams<\/a> defined virtual teams as \u201cgroups of geographically, organizationally and\/or time dispersed workers brought together by information and telecommunication technology.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That being so, the use of digital tools is essential for any remote team and finding quality team management tools<\/a> is an important task for any manager. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, time tracking tools, such as Clockify<\/a>, help you keep track of project progress \u201cfrom afar\u201d and keep an eye on employees\u2019 hours worked. In addition, project management tools, such as Plaky<\/a>, facilitate your project, task, and team management and allow for easy project planning.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, quality communication software, such as Pumble<\/a>, is key to making your virtual team collaboration<\/a> easier. Online communication via quality communication platforms is vital, as a recent Forbes survey<\/a> shows that many employees (remote and on-site) spend as much as 20 hours per week using digital communication tools!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the challenges in managing virtual teams?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Both you and your employees are bound to face remote work challenges<\/a> in tackling everyday tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research published by the Portland State University on effective management of remote teams<\/a> identified 3 key challenges remote managers face:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Locational (difficulty managing communication and navigating team\u2019s activities and conflicts remotely), <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cultural (lifestyle and synchronicity differences between team members from different cultures without many team and culture building options offered remotely), and <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Relational (higher level of distrust due to communication mainly being restricted to formal and work-related tasks). <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, according to a study by Buffer<\/a> on virtual work struggles, 21% of remote workers feel they stay at home too often without any reason to get out of the house. Moreover, 15% battle with loneliness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The same study named other challenges of remote workers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Staying motivated (for 11% of respondents), <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Adapting to different time zones (for 11% of survey participants),<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Difficulty focusing (for 9% of participants), and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Difficulties collaborating and communicating (for 8% of respondents).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Thus, the biggest challenge to managing a virtual project team is understanding the struggles your remote employees have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do your best to address them to make remote work less stressful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best tips on managing remote employees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Overcoming the challenges of virtual teams is relatively easy to accomplish with the help of these 7<\/strong> tips<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip #1: Allow flexible work hours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If your team comes from different parts of the world, you should consider introducing flexible hours or at least some kind of hybrid working schedule<\/a> to your employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A recent Flex+Strategy Group study<\/a> found that workers with some form of flexibility in where, when, and how they work feel more productive and engaged. As a matter of fact, 75% of employees believe flexibility increases their work engagement and productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, the founder of Yanre Fitness and Oxygenark with extensive experience in remote team management, George Yang<\/a>, explains that flexible schedules help workers from different locations achieve work-life balance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"George](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/George-Yang-headshot.jpg\")
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\u201cFlexible schedules are critical, as there may be employees from different time zones and a large span of time. A flexible schedule allows for a better work-life balance for all employees.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nFor an easier overview of their work, you could have your team work according to their natural predispositions, and instruct them to track time<\/a> on tasks and projects they work on during their work hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, by tracking flexible work hours<\/a>, you\u2019ll also be able to measure productivity levels<\/a> \u2014 and identify potential time-wasting activities<\/a> and bottlenecks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clockify by CAKE.com<\/a> is a free time tracker that allows your employees to track their daily activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Clockify, you can get a clear overview of your employees’ tasks and the time they spend on each activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Employees can simply input what they\u2019re working on and start the timer button in the app.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Clockify](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Clockify-time-tracking-demo.jpg\")
Tracking time with Clockify<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n\n Free time tracker<\/span>\nTime tracking software used by millions. Clockify by CAKE.com is a time tracker and timesheet app that lets you track work hours across projects.<\/p>\n\n
\n Sign up<\/a>\n\n Learn more<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n \n ![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/clockify\/landing-4.png\")
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Time tracking can boost your productivity! Read all about the best time tracking methods here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- 4 Time tracking methods to boost productivity<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Tip #2: Undergo virtual team training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No matter if you\u2019re managing a new team or an old one, proper virtual team training is a must.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Flex+Strategy Group study we mentioned earlier explored how team training affects teams that switched to flexible working arrangements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the study, 80% of workers with training feel more productive and engaged at work. In addition, 70% of employees who received training believe their ability to create, communicate, and innovate with their colleagues has increased. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Training courses aimed at making remote management<\/a> easier typically involve technology courses that equip your team with the proper knowledge to handle the tools and tech issues that arise with remote work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yang highlights that targeted training optimizes performance: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cFor virtual teams, targeted training is important. Working remotely involves digital tools and online communication, and employees must be proficient in these areas or they may be delayed.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nFurthermore, if you manage a multicultural team, you could also invest in a cross-cultural training program that helps your employees with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Overcoming cultural differences<\/a>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reducing prejudices and stereotypes in the workplace, and <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Organizing the work according to each culture\u2019s customs and work routines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Tip #3: Boost employee recognition <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Employee recognition, both social and monetary, is a great way to ensure your employees stay motivated<\/a> and productive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to research by Achievers<\/a>, employees who are frequently recognized at work are more engaged and committed to their jobs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, 73% of employees who participated in the Achievers study believe feeling recognized at work makes them more productive. What\u2019s more, 64% of workers say frequent recognition reduces their need to job hunt, while 54% claim it lowers the dissatisfaction they feel due to a poor salary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yang also believes employee recognition is important. To make sure workers feel appreciated at work, he introduced a digital recognition platform<\/a> to his employees: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cVirtual environments are very different from real environments, and accurately identifying employees in a virtual environment can improve morale and engagement. At Oxygenark, we use a digital recognition platform in which team members can acknowledge each other’s contributions to work tasks, thereby increasing employee engagement.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udca1 Clockify Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking for great ways to improve the productivity of your workers? Check out this article:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- 10 Fast Ways to Improve Employee Productivity in the Workplace<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Tip #4: Optimize meetings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
According to Microsoft research<\/a>, the number 1 productivity disruptor for most workers is \u201chaving inefficient meetings.\u201d Thus, ensuring your virtual team meetings are efficient is a must for maintaining virtual team engagement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep the team concentrated by making the meetings more effective. Meaning, you should always have a meeting agenda and ensure the information you provide is clear and concise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yang suggests keeping meetings short and on-point:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cStreamlined and purposeful virtual meetings are essential to prevent fatigue. We keep our meetings to a maximum of 45 minutes, resulting in more focused discussions and a 20% increase in meeting productivity.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn addition, if your team operates within different time zones, you should be mindful of the meeting times. You can agree on the time that works for every team member to ensure that the meetings are held within their working hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\ud83d\udca1 Clockify Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have you ever wondered how geological factors affect you and your efficiency? You should check out this guide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- How time zones affect your productivity <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Tip #5: Ask for feedback<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ask for employees\u2019 feedback frequently to see what areas may need improvement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can do this by creating feedback forms<\/strong> your employees can fill out or holding 1-on-1 video calls<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marketing & Communications Expert, Annabel Maw<\/a>, stresses the importance of 1-on-1 meetings by arguing they are a crucial part of motivating her colleagues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She notes that 1-on-1 meetings are an excellent way to maintain a healthy work environment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Annabel](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Annabel-M-headshot.jpeg\")
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\u201cHaving a good amount of touchpoints with each other helps to understand where everyone is at, get feedback, and make sure the team is feeling happy and productive with what they\u2019re working on.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nTip #6: Find the right people for your team <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Based on the CareerBuilder research<\/a>, the average cost of a bad hire for a company goes as high as $17,000! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When recruiting, make sure you post your job vacancies on reputable websites <\/strong>(or freelance websites<\/a>) and properly test potential candidates<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s more, consider hiring people with experience in remote work<\/strong>. They can pass on the remote work knowledge they acquired to the rest of the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marketing Manager at Bluesky Solutions, Laura Grant<\/a>, highlights both cultural and technical aspects of virtual team recruitment: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Laura](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Laura-Grant-headshot.jpeg\")
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\u201cBeing part of a virtual team does not suit everyone, so care must be taken to ensure the recruitment process is tailored to ensure a good fit with this way of working as well as cultural alignment.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nTip #7: Harbor a virtual team culture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Virtual team culture is just as important as any other team culture. Building trust and a healthy work culture can happen even when your employees don\u2019t meet in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Rahul Vij<\/a>, the CEO of the digital marketing agency WebSpero Solutions, one of the best ways to motivate workers is to focus on extracurriculars. He names some extracurriculars that bring a team together: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Rahul](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Rahul-V-headshot.jpeg\")
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\u201dKeep them involved in different office activities and events. Plan virtual interactive sessions like virtual lunches, virtual games, and chit-chatting sessions where everything will be discussed except the office and its work.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nEffective management of virtual teams brings success<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Effective management of virtual teams doesn\u2019t have to be difficult. If you value your employees, have an understanding of their needs, and create a positive working environment, you\u2019ll already notice an improvement in your employees’ satisfaction and productivity! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, if you need a little help with managing your virtual team, you should try Clockify by CAKE.com.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clockify is the perfect software for <\/em>managing a remote team<\/em><\/a> as it allows you and your team to track work hours, get an overview of each member\u2019s ongoing tasks, and gain insights with project reports.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- How time zones affect your productivity <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
- Overcoming cultural differences<\/a>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 4 Time tracking methods to boost productivity<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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