They help build trust, address isolation, foster alignment, and provide feedback. For alternatives to Microsoft Teams’ team collaboration platform, you could also use digital communication channels like Zoom or Skype. Others use team collaboration software like remote collaboration Slack, Google Drive, or even Discord to communicate with their remote work teams. Until recent years, the idea of remote work, where employees work from home, was unfamiliar to most of us, especially those who worked in a more traditional office setting.
It’s become so popular during the COVID pandemic that it has joined the pantheon of brand names that somehow became verbs. I always catch myself saying things like “I’ll set up a Zoom” when I use Google Meet by default. Sure, some of these apps on their own are outclassed by competitors, but the real power of Google Workspace https://remotemode.net/ is that it is an entire integrated suite of tools in a relatively low-cost package. It’s also 100% cloud-based — you don’t even need to install Google Workspace apps natively as they’re all accessed from the browser. At Himalayas, we use best-in-class software like Linear, Discord, Figma, and 1Password to stay productive.
Empower Your Team
The COVID pandemic and has put to bed the myth that virtual teams can’t facilitate real-time collaboration to work effectively and productively. Recent research by Owl Labs and Global Workplace Analytics found that 79% of workers believe video conferencing is at the same level or more productive than in-person meetings. I like that they offer the ability to check off tasks as they are completed.
With strong shared values, best practices, and the right tools, you can make remote work even more collaborative than working in an office. The utilization of shared team collaboration platforms like Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams can provide powerful online collaboration tools that simplify remote work. But there are all sorts of resources your team could use once you understand the basics of collaborative remote work. Managing remote teams can be difficult when you have a hybrid environment. Strong remote collaboration depends on reliable communication, repeatable processes, and tools that stimulate creative collaborative work. Managers of remote teams should lead by example and participate to improve personal connections and productivity, rather than as a top-down mandate.
Rules for Successful Virtual Team Collaboration
I also like how we can combine many technologies to provide a single source of status information. It also comes with all the tools you need for proper project monitoring, including task cards and checklists.” – Jannie Padberg via G2. Just use the resources you already have at your disposal, adapted to a remote setting. Developing a company-wide mentorship program can inspire employees to advance their skills, grow as professionals, and improve workplace relationships. According to a Harvard study, a team’s success at collaborating reflects the philosophy of top leadership in the company.
You can even set up a dedicated games room for unstructured hang-out time. So if psychological safety is your core value, encouraging risk can be a best practice. Taken together, you get creative problem-solving and collaboration that helps create a cohesive company culture. In the case of Microsoft, research shows that remote and hybrid employees with close ties are more likely to collaborate. This collaboration is also likely to have more impact and involve more opportunities to share knowledge.