Teamwork-for-Telecommuters
By Bart Icles
Telecommuting is no longer something unusual or groundbreaking. More and more companies are recognizing that it is actually not a bad thing to practice.
There are instances wherein employees find that they are more productive when working remotely and on their own, and telecommuting also becomes a very good option if an employee is just unable to come in to the office.
There are even companies nowadays that have entire teams telecommuting from home.
The convenience this provides is definitely not something to sneeze at. But one of the possible downfalls that you could experience as a result is a lack of teamwork in the workplace, and a company of telecommuters need teamwork more than ever. With everyone being so used to doing his or her job at a certain pace and without supervision, people tend to forget that they are part of a team and that they should still be able to work well with one another, even if the rest of the team isn't physically present.
So how can it be possible to foster teamwork in the workplace–the virtual workplace, that is? First of all, it's important to know that all of you are on the same page when it comes to meeting objectives and completing projects. As the head of the team, it is your responsibility to clearly communicated to everyone what needs to be done.
It is also a good idea if you make use of online tools that can help you keep each other updated on tasks. It goes farther than simply e-mailing each other or sending chat messages. Some online facilities allow you to list down tasks that must be done as well as their expected deadlines, with employees being able to tick off any items on the list once they have been completed and you receiving alerts once a job has been done.
Keep in mind that you don't have to constantly be on Skype or e-mailing regularly to stay in the loop. Telecommuting should allow people to work independently, and employees would not be as comfortable doing their work if they have to respond to constant e-mails.
Every once in a while, you should all make it a point to meet up or even undergo teamwork training. Teamwork training helps you all refocus on your goals and improve how you relate to one another. This is also an opportunity for you to address any teamwork-related problems you might be encountering.
Telecommuting doesn't have to be equal to isolation. Employees who telecommute are still a vital part of the company, and steps must be taken to ensure that they are aware of this.
CMOE has been helping companies with Team Building Consultants and strategic management courses since 1978. Through employee coaching courses and other innovative business techniques CMOE has established themselves a leader in the business world. Visit http://www.cmoe.com for more information.
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