Humans could not have considered sitting in one location and being able to interact with others just a few decades ago. The invention of phones and the internet completely altered the communication pattern.
One may work from home, interact with family and friends, and acquire whatever is needed. It has become the only option in the world after the coronavirus has hit it in the gut. In many respects, technology has made our lives easier.
Technology has also been employed in a fantastic way, where individuals work in groups but virtually; that is, they collaborate using electronic gadgets. By collaborating digitally, people may work, chat, and even play games.
In this blog, once again, it has become important to assess the benefits and drawbacks of virtual teams as managers decide whether to go with a completely dispersed workforce or the hybrid office model in the future. This time, there is more evidence in either way than ever before.
Employee productivity and possible remote work problems are significantly influenced by the nature of one's activities. According to research, jobs like continuous learning, dealing with computers, and client/team communication have no productivity loss when compared to physical duties such as operating machinery or giving emergency help.
What is a virtual team?
A virtual team is a group of individuals who work together in the same workplace or in separate places, which might include different cities, nations, and therefore time zones. People from many cultures, backgrounds, and fields of expertise join forces to achieve a shared objective.
Virtual teams are typically created to solve important problems, develop a new product/service, or solve challenges of a comparable complexity level.
With the advent of decentralization and globalization, companies felt the need to change to something good in the air in solving challenges; the Virtual team provides flexibility as well as speedy delivery of results.
Pros of having virtual teams in your company:
1. Increase in job satisfaction:
When compared to their in-office colleagues, remote employees are happier by 57 percent. 77 percent of individuals who have tried working from home say that the potential of sustaining this job [and, by extension, lifestyle] will keep them satisfied. Their clout is so powerful that 27% of workers are ready to accept a 10%-20% wage loss simply to continue working from home.
Working remotely gives each individual a number of additional benefits that they would not have received if they worked in an office. Among these are greater flexibility, better work-life balance, and lower costs—all of which have a significant influence on employee work performance.
2. Exceptional productivity:
For far too long, the question of productivity when working away from the desk has been debated, with no strong evidence pointing to remote employees being less prolific or clever.
Despite this, the bulk of research suggests that remote employees have become more productive when they work from home. According to 78 percent of employees, flexible work arrangements make them more productive. Even after the outbreak, a staggering 75% of team members stated they are at or above their pre-pandemic production levels.
Some of us are more attentive simply because we don't have to commute to and from work. Allowing people to make their own routines allows them to work at their maximum power at peak hours and take breaks as required to recharge and stay healthy. Others find that the familiarity of their home surroundings improves focus in the absence of external disruptions.
3. Flexibility:
Creating a virtual talent pool instantly expands the applicant pool from hundreds of local candidates to millions worldwide.
The hybrid work approach also allows you to collaborate with great people from anywhere in the world. You can continue to communicate with these team members remotely or call them in for regular work sessions. They will be able to connect with their coworkers face to face and establish new ties as a result of this.
As a result, you will eliminate the possibility of subliminal prejudices and preserve a balanced diversity within the team, which is critical when appealing to younger generations. You will also be able to work alongside seasoned experts without the need for further training. Startups aiming to develop a strong product in a short period of time would most likely profit from this.
Cons of having a remote team:
1. Losing trust:
Trust is far and away from the most pressing problem for virtual team managers. It's simply too risky to rely on a new worker you've never met to perform their task creatively while also keeping all of your data secure. A totally virtual staff will never be a reality for employers that cannot overcome their concerns.
Remember how it was suggested that one-on-one meetings and frequent feedback as a method for keeping staff productive? The same principles apply to establishing and sustaining trust.
Developing a long-term connection with your staff is something that every business owner should strive towards. In reality, strong relationships help you retain staff and keep them satisfied regardless of the economic or global scenario.
2. Dialled down productivity and security:
Positive interruptions include the odd family emergency or a puppy that needs to be walked. When employees start slacking off merely to watch their favorite TV show or spend the day playing CS: GO, things get more difficult to grasp. In most of these instances, using the Hawthorne effect should work.
There's likely to be a go-to remedy for other distractions that will miraculously keep them at away.
Team members concerned about spending too much time on social media? Make a recommendation for a website-blocking app. Is it normal for their thoughts to roam all the time? Allow them to take more breaks to recover their attention.
3. Loss of motivation:
After the workday is done, four out of five employees find it difficult to detach from their responsibilities. People are taking mental health days off, even if they are only planning to stay at home, as a result of this, as well as loneliness and sleep deprivation. Promoting such holidays is an excellent first step in assisting your team in dealing with stress, personal difficulties, or motivation loss.
Implementing a strong employee engagement program, team building events, a flexible work schedule, water cooler possibilities, and so on may also assist your team deal with loneliness and isolation. Hold weekly group therapy sessions or exercise courses to teach team members how to deal with possible problems in the methods that are most effective for them. These can also be hosted by a professional mental health coach or trainer.
