How to Assemble a Virtual Team for Your Online Business

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A cog, no matter how small, is necessary for a machine to function. Similarly, in an online business, although each person’s degree of involvement may vary, everyone in your virtual team contributes to making sure that goals are reached.

An online business, just like any sort of business, is dependent on people. A team is necessary for a business to take off and scale. Employing the right kind of people is half of the puzzle. Setting expectations and keeping them engaged are equally important.

Here are some tips to create and sustain a dream team for your online business.

Make sure they’re trustworthy

Anyone can hide in the anonymity of the Internet. The concept of “stranger-danger” especially rings true when you’re not physically meeting the people you hire. How do you know if these faceless people can really be trusted?

Background checks and screening can go a long way. A simple look at their accounts on various social media platforms can serve as your first impression on your potential virtual teammate. Professionally speaking, you can browse their LinkedIn profile. To ensure that you can trust their abilities as well, ask them to take a web-based test, depending on the tasks you intend to give them.

You can further confirm your assessment by interviewing them via Skype, and keeping a regular correspondence with them through emails or text messages. This is to make sure that you are always on the same page with them.

Share where business is headed

Being on the same page entails that your online colleague is constantly aware of everything you plan to do for a certain project. But even before that, make sure that they know exactly what they are getting into when you decide that they’re ready to go on board. When your new virtual team mate is knowledgeable of what you’re trying to accomplish, they will understand what needs to be done, resulting in better output.

Explain every aspect of your online business in a clear and straightforward manner. This includes your mission, your vision, how you plan to run your company, and the like. This process lasts as long as your professional relationship with them. Keep them updated of every minor change. Inform them immediately when a milestone or an important change is about to transpire, as it would also affect them.

Create a good working environment

Even without an actual office space, help your new virtual team to be more comfortable around each other. These people do not know each other beyond what they perceive online. As team leader, make sure that they can properly interact.

Utilize collaborative software. Facebook Workplace, for example, can be a good platform for directions and announcements. Colleagues can coordinate publicly to update all those involved of their progress. Collaborative software, such as Google Docs, is useful for a more hands-on approach of the project, something anyone can edit.

What’s your perspective on virtual teams? How did creating your own online business change your view on the importance of each team member? Share your comments below!

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