In The Virtual Business Office, Teams Are Similar To Traditional Teams With People Located In Different Places. Myth or Reality?

Discover The Reality Of This Myth About The Virtual Business Office

The virtual business office is becoming increasingly popular and with this popularity we continue to learn more about virtual working groups and the distinct way these virtual project teams operate. Although there are similarities between virtual teams and traditional teams, virtual teams differ in a number of ways. Some of what you believe about virtual teams may not be reality. Over the next few weeks we will be sharing five myths and realities of virtual teams.

Let’s get started!

MYTH 1: IN THE VIRTUAL BUSINESS OFFICE, TEAMS ARE SIMILAR TO TRADITIONAL TEAMS WITH PEOPLE LOCATED IN DIFFERENT PLACES.

The Reality: This has some truth but virtual teams are not the same as onsite teams. They present different challenges and team dynamics. Don’t make the mistake of simply transferring what you know about teams to virtual situations. These teams are a lot more involved. While all teams need to have goals and operating principles, virtual teams face the greater task of building agreement with a group of people who work across time zones and may never meet.

Advice: While interviewing team members and managers who work in the virtual business office in preparation for this book, a virtual team manager at a business communications organization gave the following advice:

“Treat virtual teams differently. Don’t assume they are the same. You need to be more upfront and more open about challenges and about contracting with your virtual staff. Remote employees, multiple time zones, communication mechanisms and accountability continue to be the top issues for virtual teams.”

The factors that ultimately determine a virtual team’s effectiveness seem similar to onsite teams: clarify team goals, roles, individual responsibilities and deadlines. Communicate frequently. Build trust among members. Agree upon ground rules for meetings and other interactions (for instance, “We will answer one another’s e-mails within 24 hours;” “Ming and Jane want calls to come to their office phones but Ida prefers us to call her cell!”). But there are particular issues that come up in virtual teams that are critical to its success. It is important to keep this in mind to ensure success for your virtual team.
For more myths and realities about virtual teams, check out the rest of this series:

Myth #2: Virtual teams will work if they have the best people.
Myth #3: Technology on virtual teams is most important.
Myth #4: When you don’t see someone regularly, it is difficult to manage their career progression.
Myth #5: Virtual teams can be left alone and will function appropriately.