Professional collaborations primarily used to happen in office spaces. Right from discussing projects to figuring out the scope of the same’ from setting up schedules to having every executive under the same roof and on the same page across conference tables – was the conventional sight. But, with the advent of modern technologies coupled with lightning-fast internet, the situation has undergone a paradigm shift. From on-site collaborations, businesses are gradually (and comfortably) adapting to the concept of virtual collaboration, a way that is being smoothly paved by new-age technology-powered tools.
The advent of virtual collaboration has drastically transformed the way businesses across the world function. Teamwork has found a new strength in advanced interconnecting tools that break all kinds of physical barriers standing in the midst of smooth and flawless communication and project execution. This cultural transition towards the development of flexible working tools and platforms for businesses has redefined efficiency and perfection in operations.
Modern work is defined by virtual collaboration today, hinging upon the right tools, powered by the right technologies that make way for flawless remote communication. Buil or hire strong virtual teams for your business with the brilliant tools that fetch you the most desired results of growth and success.
What Is The Definition & Importance Of Virtual Collaboration?
Virtual collaboration refers to the dynamic structure of working where the professionals or teams of professionals work together in real-time and synchronize their work through various digital platforms, regardless of their physical proximity. Activities like document creation, meetings, brainstorming, project management, etc. are all carried out seamlessly with various communication tools which are supported by the relevant productivity measurement and boosting tools. These tools together make way for an unbridled online engagement experience for professionals.
By this point, the readers, have understood that the concept of virtual collaboration entirely relies upon technology bridging the physical gaps. This process can include instant messaging, team editing, video conferring, document sharing, etc. The true essence of remote collaboration is the capability of maintaining productivity as well as fluidity of the teamwork, regardless of the locations of employees.
Remote collaborations are the cornerstones of success, allowing businesses to leverage the collective potential of the teams, beyond the professionals’ physical location. Remote collaboration is ideal for the modern business framework where employees work under flexible schedules of work along with diverse teams.
Efficient remote collaboration boosts innovation and productivity directly. It makes room for seamless communication, swift decision-making, and also the ability to adapt to dynamic business circumstances. It also empowers the business to tap into the international talent pool, thus imbibing fresh perspectives and diversity in the framework.
What Are The Various Types Of Remote Collaborations?
Virtual or remote collaboration circumnavigates around a diverse range of synchronized activities that occur across digital spaces. Here are the several types of remote collaborations you should know of:
- Whiteboarding & Brainstorming
These digital activities make space for visual thinking, and creativity and empower remote teams to effectively generate and segmentize plans, ideas, and concepts, even when the employees are located miles away.
- Project Management
Using the digital space for assigning and monitoring projects, managing deadlines and collaborations with ensured transparency as well as accountability injects efficiency in the execution of projects.
- Documental Collaboration
Allows simultaneous editing, sharing, and creating of documents like PPTs and spreadsheets. This ensures the team members of collective project contribution in real-time, thereby eliminating the requirement of version control. This process also speeds up the workflows.
- Synchronized Communication
This allows the professionals to respond and communicate at their own pace, by using E-mail communication applications as well as discussion boards. This offers flexibility as well as accommodation across various time zones.
- Video Meetings & Conferencing
This type of collaboration showcases body language, direct communication, and visual cues, which closely emulate personal interactions. This facilitates not only the meetings but also workshops, webinars as well as training sessions.
Here Are Some Tips To Perfect Your Remote Collaboration
- Form a transparent channel of communication between all team members and give access and training to them to perfectly use them for communication and productivity.
- Set guidelines and expectations regarding the response availability, meetings, schedules, and etiquette to avoid any miscommunication or confusion.
- Foster trust among your teammates and always avoid micromanaging their work. Focus on the outcomes and results from more than the process (as long as it’s within the rules)
- Schedule frequent one-to-one meetings to touch base with your team. Maintain a sense of unity among the teammates.
- Set realistic and achievable goals and time-bound tasks. Ensure that all the team members are on the same page with their responsibilities and roles.
- Provide proper support and training to the employees for technical challenges.
- Set up virtual team-building exercises to foster unity. Play games, and organize virtual coffee breaks for better acquaintance with each other.
What Are Some Top Virtual Collaboration Tools?
Selecting the right tool for remote collaboration is imperative for the employees to seamlessly communicate as well as coordinate tasks. Have a look at the market and you will find an abundance of remote collaboration tools that are enough to put you in confusion. It is also crucial for you to know that none of these tools are effective when they are used singularly. Only when the tools are combined rightly, do they create a comprehensive suite of possibilities that fetch the modern businesses their much-coveted growth. Take a look at these incredible remote collaboration tools that will Fasttrack your business’s remote efficiency:
For Seamless Communication
- GMeet – a video-conferencing application that is integrated with Google’s workspace. It is popular for its high-quality calls both video and without. Professionals who synonymously put Google with convenience, choose GMeet.
- Microsoft Teams – a unified platform of communication that is integrated with Office 365. This application offers video conferencing as well as file sharing.
- Slack – Slack is a real-time messaging and video call platform that offers a centralized hub for the professionals to carry out inter-team, inter-department, and inter-organizational communication. It offers convenient file sharing and makes way for easy third-party integration.
For Project Management
- Jira – a comprehensive project management tool that is extremely popular with the software development professionals. This tool conveniently supports Agile methods and also issues tracking. It is a part of a powerful suite, consisting of tools for managing, planning, and tracking.
- Asana – a 360-degree project manager that offers a features-set for easy workflow management, project collaboration, and progress tracking. It is ideal for managing teams of various sizes.
- Trello – a visual project management tool that uses cards, lists, and boards to help the teams prioritize and organize tasks. It has an intuitive interface that makes it easy for professionals for tracking, assigning and creating tasks. It is an excellent tool for businesses to streamline their operations.
For File Sharing
- SharePoint – Microsoft’s brilliant collaboration platform that is web-based. It comes with content organization features, and advanced document management and is a great option for businesses whose collaboration needs are complex.
- Dropbox – an amazing cloud storage platform that offers file synchronization across various devices. It boasts of intense integration capabilities with lots of applications, thus making it a versatile platform for Virtual team collaboration at the workplace.
- Google Drive – a cloud-based platform that is integrated with Google Workspace. This platform allows the users to share, store as well as collaborate on spreadsheets, documents, and also PPTs.
For Collaborative Sharing & Editing of Documents
- Notion – This platform allows the professionals to edit, create and also organize the databases, documents, and project boards. It is diverse, flexible and suitable for various works.
- Microsoft 365 – a full-scale digital suite consisting of applications that include PowerPoint, Excel and Word. It supports real-time co-editing and co-authoring and can be seamlessly integrated with other Microsoft applications.
- Google Workspace – Google Workspace is a cloud-empowered suite which comprises of Google Sheets, Slides and Docs. Teams can work together on this platform with outstanding feature like integrated commenting and history of version.
For Visual Collaboration
- Stormboard – This platform makes collaborative planning, mapping and brainstorming sessions convenient for the professionals and forms a well-structured platform for idea organization.
- Mural – A great digital workspace for visual thinking. This platform is also ideal for coming up with creative designs and problem-solving for the professionals, visually!
- Miro – a digital platform that serves as an excellent whiteboarding tool. It has features like templates, and sticky notes, and can be easily integrated with other tools. From flowcharting to brainstorming you can do multiple creative works on this.
All These Tools Making You Consider About The Budget?
Having all these tools for a seamless remote collaboration is not an option, but a necessity in today’s digitally dependent business environment. To break the physical limitations and operate beyond boundaries, a business has to choose to become swift and adaptive. But all these come with a price – literally speaking! And if you are a small or mid-scale entrepreneur, chances are, you are definitely concerned about the budget constraints. At this point, the best option is to hire a talented business service assistance providing professionals who will remotely work as your virtually extended team. Take a look at how
Entrepreneurs Can Strengthen Their Virtual Collaboration Infrastructure With Virtual Assistants
As mentioned earlier, implementing virtual collaboration tools into the business and fast-tracking the business process involves investment of a huge sum of money and time for the entrepreneurs. This can be overwhelming for mid and small-scale entrepreneurs who seldom can set up a perfect technological infrastructure for the employees or themselves to work within. At this stage, hiring virtual assistants can be beneficial for them. Swing by MindManager for more.
These professionals, by the very term ‘Virtual Assistants’ signify their professional status as remote employees. From the comfort of their homes or other convenient places, they work dedicatedly for client projects. The virtual professionals are part of business assistance-providing organizations like Curingbusy, who are committed to providing entrepreneurs their much-needed assistance in digitally streamlining their businesses.
The Virtual Assistants are well-versed with the virtual collaboration tools as well. With years of experience in working for various entrepreneurs globally, they have the perfect idea regarding the right usage of these tools and technologies that will make your business functions streamlined. Virtual Assistants from Curingbusy do not require much training after you onboard them in your company as they are pre-trained in these previously. They have the access to these tools already and hence, you don’t have to invest extra in setting up the tools for them.
Conclusion
Investing in the right tools for virtual collaboration is imperative, but investing in hiring a team of virtual experts with access to these tools is more crucial. On the same page with us? Then what are you waiting for? Learn more about our Virtual Assistance providing professionals at contact@curingbusy.com and tell us how you plan to scale up your business with us.
Ready to help your business with a focus on doing the right work, faster and better. Take CuringBusy out for 2-week trial Period!
