Q: While I enjoy the freedom of being self-employed from my home, I find myself longing for the camaraderie I had with my previous colleagues. What strategies can I implement to foster that sense of community from afar?
A: Think about assembling a virtual group of peers whose talents and insights align with yours. Regular communication with this group will allow you to seek advice and support on various projects. Additional perks include the potential to delegate tasks you either can’t or prefer not to do, and heightening your chances of gaining new clients through referrals from your virtual colleagues, as noted by Janine Heydrick, a project manager from Florida who specializes in helping small businesses connect through platforms such as email, text, recorded calls, or video conferences using tools like GoToMeeting, Skype, or Google+ Hangouts.
How do you go about forming your team? Start by pinpointing specific areas where support from others can enhance your knowledge and expand your business. This might involve administrative assistance, bookkeeping, graphic design, marketing, sales, etc. Craft job postings to circulate on social media and within your network to attract virtual talent with the required skills.
Before committing to virtual partnerships, make use of Skype chats and phone conversations to familiarize yourself with potential collaborators and their working habits. Pose questions to understand their work preferences and environments. For instance, a working mother might only be available during school hours, while another candidate may have different access to resources. A virtual assistant might just need a mobile phone, laptop, and Wi-Fi, but a photographer will likely need a fully equipped studio and editing tools to complete their work.
Most importantly, consider whether you enjoy working with the person. “The relationship takes precedence over the skill set,” advises Heydrick. “Skills and business practices can be acquired.” If the synergy is good, establish a clear 90-day trial period that allows either party to exit without explanation.
To efficiently manage your virtual team:
1. Clearly outline your expectations.
An assistant needs to have a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and goals to manage projects effectively. Meanwhile, a photographer must know your target audience and marketing strategies to deliver relevant product images.
2. Foster a supportive environment.
Every team member should feel encouraged to share their ideas openly without fear of one person overshadowing others. “Treat your team members as you wish to be treated,” insists Heydrick. “Have faith that each contributor is capable and will fulfill their responsibilities to meet set expectations and timelines. If issues arise, we can share screens via Skype, Join.me, or similar platforms to collaborate on solutions.”
Acknowledge birthdays and commend a job well done. “Each member needs to engage with others, understand their strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and aspects of their personal lives,” stresses Heydrick. “It’s about building lasting relationships.”
3. Maintain regular interactions.
Plan to meet weekly to set goals for the upcoming days. It’s beneficial to cross-train team members to ensure continuity in case of emergencies. An open-access policy should be established that promotes phone calls and instant messaging, allowing you to discuss suggested alternatives and share insightful tips.
4. Stay alert to any issues among team members.
Problems often arise from distrust, poor communication, or complacency. “As a solopreneur, you must actively manage your business,” warns Heydrick, “and not become complacent by depending solely on your team.” To reinforce this principle, she shares with her clients a framed quote from Henry Ford:
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success!”
