The Virtual Workplace

I often wonder how many companies and working professionals today truly embrace the virtual workplace culture. Working remotely, away from the typical office setting is not for everyone. Senior management has a lot to consider when it comes to this matter in regards to picking the right employees for virtual professions. Both executive leaders and the employees they are considering for remote work have plenty to think about before taking that first step.

So what does it mean to work on a virtual team? A workforce can entail employees that are remote workers, mobile employees, independent professionals, outsourced services or anyone who has to work at various different locations. Doing business virtually is an important consideration that not many companies can ignore these days in order to retain top talent.

Let’s face it. A large percentage of the workplace is already virtual. That is because a virtual workplace provides a large degree of flexibility for a company and those that work for the organization. Brandman University did a research study a few years ago that shows that companies can use the virtual workplace as a competitive advantage.

More than 5,000 employees of Fortune 500 companies were interviewed through Forrester Consulting for Brandman University and the survey revealed “strong adoption of virtual teams, defined as a group of people working together from disparate locations on a specific project, with 40 percent of survey respondents saying that 40 percent or more of their company’s employees work in virtual teams today, and more than half (56 percent) expect virtual teaming to increase in the next one to three years.”

Those percentages are pretty powerful and say something profound. It says that the world is changing. Not only do we see newer and newer digital technologies launching everyday that are changing people’s lives, but now it’s becoming much more prevalent that companies and employees are trying new ways to work and become more successful by using different work environment approaches. This will open up new growth opportunities for both companies and employees in new ways.

I also believe the world is becoming more globally-connected every day and that the virtual workplace is a perfect fit for those that must interact with other professionals from around the world. Today’s savvy professionals are used to working from home, or on the road or in a cab, at the airport or on the train – in an effort to remain constantly connected and to keep projects moving quickly. It drives results for companies seeking new revenue growth from every angle of business.

This fast paced environment, however, is not for everyone. Not only must one be truly organized with projects and time management but also professionals must enjoy and embrace the thrill of being on the go. There are other considerations as well to think about when considering the option of working in a virtual environment.

First and foremost, a person considering this type of work environment must be able to provide a level of trust with their superiors. And trust factors must also come into play when working with a team on a project that is running virtually. Communication and time management are also very crucial. When working in an environment outside of the typical office it is very easy to become distracted with other ‘hot’ to dos in one’s life. The focus must be pure and concentrated on the work tasks at hand.

Another important factor is the level of sharing of a project. Usually in the office setting, there is a leader for most projects. On the virtual side, it’s much more likely that strategy; planning, and day-to-day details will be shared in order to provide full engagement from everyone assigned to a project. It is critical to get to know your virtual co-workers on a more personal level, as communication might sometimes get lost in email, by phone or even by Skype.

Keep in mind that a full virtual workplace should never fully replace the one-on-one aspect of business. Managers will still rely on personal contact as a way to build trust and virtual employees should make a concerted effort to meet face to face if at all possible.

Equally important is the need for the employer to feel comfortable with an employee’s level of proficiency in collaboration technologies. Employees should feel at ease with tools that include video and web conferencing, instant messaging, blogs, wikis and business social networks. This can facilitate collaboration and drive greater levels of trust. It can also provide an equal playing field for shared levels of expertise.

Virtual work environments can most definitely drive down costs as it reduces the need for office space and additional equipment. Other advantages for organizations include the opportunity to increase employees’ level of engagement and productivity, as well as encourage creativity and innovation.

Corporations and employees can overcome the roadblocks to success when deciding which jobs will be most effective for this kind of workplace. Working virtually can offer an opportunity for both parties to become more responsive and responsible towards business goals.

If you are an individual who can effectively communicate with remote employees and other professionals, manage projects and deadlines successfully, and create consensus during tough decision making times, then by all means, let’s show more companies the benefits of driving new thinking, new technologies, ideas and most importantly new growth!

And Kudos to the companies already engaged in the virtual workplace process! Here’s a small list of some industries already engaged. The rest is up to you to find the right fit for your profession. Preparation, determination and innovation will drive the will to find your place at the right company – one that is open to change and growth.