Getting Virtual Teams Satisfaction Right
Employee satisfaction has always been a number one priority for successful businesses. If your employees are unhappy, this can lead to a drop in productivity and slower business growth. In fact, according to surveys, the majority of business owners believe that company culture and employee satisfaction are important at their company.
However, as the business landscape changes around us, it becomes harder to ensure employee satisfaction. This is especially true when you consider virtual teams. Since the employee is not directly in the office, business managers have to find different ways to increase their morale.
Importance of Virtual Teams
Virtual teams are becoming more and more prevalent. Especially after recent events, more companies have switched to virtual teams, with some businesses now operating entirely remotely. However, it is not only businesses that benefit from switching to virtual work; many employees prefer the freedom it provides as well. Since they are no longer tied to an office, employees can choose where they want to work and ultimately boost their job satisfaction.
One great example of this is the rise of digital working communities. There are now entire locations, typically in beautiful remote areas, where digital nomads can live and work. While some choose to live there full-time, others go for a few months at a time. Spending a few months in one of these locations is ideal for those looking to get away from urban life in exchange for a more relaxed, less stressful, and more productive way of life. The change of scenery allows them to recharge their batteries, which boosts their morale.
However, location isn’t the only thing that impacts an employee’s job satisfaction. There are still a few things that businesses can do to improve the satisfaction of their virtual teams even more.
Have the Right Technology
To start, business managers should focus on setting up the right technology. Virtual teams rely heavily on technology to get their work done and communicate with one another. If you’re using older software or don’t have the right file-sharing tools, for example, your teams may have trouble working efficiently.
Start by focusing on the tools your team will use to communicate with each other. Many businesses choose to go with video conferencing software, such as Zoom, as it allows team members to communicate in a fashion that is similar to meeting in person. You may also want to set up instant messaging tools, so that team members can quickly send a message to one another without having to rely on email chains.
After that, look for tools that will allow team members to collaborate. For example, you may want software that allows team members to work on the same document simultaneously, rather than having to send the file back and forth after each edit.
The specific virtual team tools you need will vary depending on your type of business. Think about what sort of interactions your virtual team has most, then look for tools that will allow these interactions to take place quickly and efficiently.
Focus on Team Bonding
Another crucial factor in virtual team satisfaction is how well the members get along. While you don’t need your virtual team to become best friends, you want each member of the group to feel comfortable working with everyone else and, ideally, enjoy it.
One way managers used to accomplish this is through team events, such as going out for dinner after work. Since your team works remotely, you need to find other ways to get them to bond.
Gather Feedback From Your Team
The last thing you can do is gather feedback from your team. Make it a habit to interview each virtual team member or send out a survey to everyone. Ask them about their satisfaction and whether they have any suggestions for how you can improve. Doing this can reveal problems with your virtual setup that you may not have been aware of.
For example, if several employees respond that communication is taking too long, you may adjust your communication plan or the software you use. You can then try out your new strategy and gather feedback again once some time has passed. To learn if your virtual team is satisfied, it’s often best to simply ask them directly, so make it a habit to gather regular feedback throughout the year.
Start Improving Virtual Team Satisfaction
Improving the satisfaction of your virtual team may take some time. For example, if you implement new software, it may take a while before the entire team is comfortable using it. It might also take time for team members to become comfortable with one another through virtual team events. This is why it’s important to begin as soon as you can. The earlier you start implementing strategies to improve virtual team satisfaction, the sooner you’ll start to see the benefits.
