Discover the Benefits of Virtual Work Teams and The Virtual Business Office
As I begin to formulate the syllabus for the NYU course I am teaching this spring Virtual Work Teams and Global Communication I can’t help but imagine the endless possibilities virtual work teams bring to the work world and our lives now and in the future. Virtual work team arrangements have become increasingly popular as companies rethink their human capital resources, the virtual business office and real estate expenditures. They are unique because the most appropriate expertise is pulled together from many locations and organizations—and yet team members may never meet in person. With these virtual work arrangements, recruiting elite talent and expertise to your organization is now possible regardless of where people are based. Here are some reasons why virtual work teams are in the mix and why this trend is not going away any time soon!
TECHNOLOGY ENABLERS
• Online communications capability: mobile devices, text messaging, IMs, cloud computing, and SaaS, file and application sharing, electronic bulletin/message boards group decision support systems, real-time calendar/scheduling systems, email and video and web conferencing. Technology is continuously improving virtual team operations.
• Online learning, Distance Learning and E-Learning Software enables learning anywhere, anytime.
• Virtual networking (LinkedIn) and social networking sites (Facebook) and videoconferencing increase online communication and networking.
• Technology memory recording tools tracking every step of complex processes, keeping records (documentation) and learning from past processes enables speed (doing things faster) and memory (preserve shared experience).
• Document management systems enable online libraries, information sharing and documentation, thus saving space and time.
COST CONSIDERATIONS
•Cost cutting: personnel, real estate, infrastructure, furniture, supplies, etc. that are no longer
needed saves money.
•Can rent shared office space on an as needed basis (available in high rent cities, with all
amenities including reception, support staff, technology and telecom services).
• Eliminate the need for conference meeting space, onsite training facilities, travel and accommodations. * Think Green! Environmental benefits due to reduced commuter gas consumption and a smaller carbon footprint.
PEOPLE EXPERTISE
• Global workforce – talent is anywhere and everywhere – and mobile.
• Expertise available for numerous functions (web design, blog development, SEO, advertising, technical media/financial writing, technical market research, administrative public relations, marketing, sales support, etc.) can be outsourced.
As can be seen above, virtual work teams can provide extra value to your organization that cannot be met with traditional work teams that work face-to-face every day. With the increase of information technology, virtual work teams have proliferated and, with the proper management, will become an increasingly more important asset to your organization in the future.
