Creating a Common Collective for Distributed Teams

We have all experienced an amazing transformation in the last year, one which has, in many ways, accelerated changes that we already beginning to happen, in the way we work, where we work and how we work as part of a team.

The following is a guest article from my friends at CROOW.

Creating a Common Collective for Distributed Teams

Work looks different these days. With the rise of remote work, advancements in communication and collaboration technologies, and team members dispersed in different locations, the overall scope of project management has undergone a major shift. The COVID-19 pandemic has driven major changes in virtually every aspect of our lives, including the workplace. Many industries and organizations have shifted to a remote workplace, which may be permanent for many companies. Without having every team member under the same roof, it has become more complicated to make sure your team is working towards a common goal. Here are six tips for creating a common collective for distributed teams while we face these challenging times.

1. Find the right people.

It’s no secret that hard working people create higher quality work. Finding the right people to hire on your team is key in running a successful distributed team. These employees need to be independent in the sense that they do not constantly need to be checked up on, but collaborative enough to bounce ideas off one another and ask the right questions when needed. Make sure to follow the right protocols when onboarding new team members remotely, and you will set your distributed team up for success.

2. Clarify roles and responsibilities.

Once you get the right team of doers onboarded, it is essential to clearly clarify their roles and responsibilities. Setting realistic expectations for your team will make sure that everyone is doing their part and is held accountable for reaching the goals they need to reach. This way, there are less holes in productivity while completing projects in a remote environment.

3. Leverage communication tools to your advantage.

In a physical office environment, it is easy to walk over to a coworker’s desk to clarify a simple question. However, with a dispersed team, it can be more difficult to keep up with communication. That’s where technology comes in. Using applications like Slack or Microsoft Teams can help your team stay connected on a casual basis to answer simple questions without the need for a formal email or call.

4. Embrace a video-first culture.

While teams cannot not physically meet face-to-face, creating a video-first culture is the next best thing. Conducting meetings and calls on video conferencing software creates more meaningful interactions between coworkers and helps employees focus on the task at hand. Adding the human element of seeing one another’s faces can help team members pick up on nonverbal cues and provide for overall improved communication.

5. Utilize project management software.

Project management software can be a lifesaver for teams that are dispersed. Project management tools allow teams to collaborate with each other in real-time, and allow for multiple people to view and edit a project at once. These platforms can be a great tool for prioritizing tasks and holding remote team members accountable for their responsibilities.

6. Provide feedback and praise.

While physically apart from one another, it can be hard for team members to know whether or not they are producing sufficient and high-quality work. Providing praise and constructive feedback where appropriate can be a great way to make sure your team is on track. Setting up a consistent cadence for feedback can reassure both the employee and team manager that the best work is being produced.

Although many teams and organizations are now dispersed, it doesn’t mean that meeting a common collective is impossible. Following the right processes and going above and beyond in collaboration practices will assure that your team is working towards the same goals at the same pace. Although project management in a remote work environment may seem more difficult, following these guidelines and avoiding common mistakes will set your distributed team up for success.

Interesting thoughts I am sure that you will agree.

Want to find out more? Then check out my friends at CROOW today.

Offering Creative Collaboration for Remote Teams (Centralize access to creative assets and projects – Connect teams for better collaboration).

Big challenge: Getting your project team to work as a team!

A guest post by my friends at Genius Project

A project team is a group of people who work together on a project with a common goal. They have different skills and specializations but their work all culminates in the delivery of the project.

Numerous studies have shown that a project progresses effectively when the team is working on activities that are clearly defined and planned. While it is important to set a timetable and targets, some companies are confronted with cultural differences, dispersed geographical locations and different working methods. Teamwork is not always so simple!

Here are some tips to increase collaboration in your project team.

• Roles and responsibilities must be set from the get go. It’s necessary for everyone to know their objectives and mission to be able to work in their role effectively. In addition, it’s important to define the project leader and who to contact in the event of a problem or change.

• Encourage employees to share their opinion. It’s important to provide input during meetings and discussions. The team is more dynamic and responsive when the players propose solutions and share any difficulties. A team always benefits from the discussion and the different opinions are enriching.

• Organize useful meetings. We cannot say enough that transparency is essential in project management. This transparency makes it possible to have a positive dynamic within the group. Collaborators are informed, instructions are clear and information is distributed. A meeting should only be held if there is a need. The meeting should have a simple and precise objective. It may also be recalled that the project kick-off meeting is also important for a project team. It allows team members to get acquainted.

• Spend time as a team. Team members need to spend time together informally. Activities outside the office are essential for strengthening group dynamics. Whenever possible, this reinforces the feeling of being part of a team. Team lunches are easy to organize and equally effective.

• Communicate. Communication is an essential criteria for successful projects. Meetings, emails, online discussion groups … there are many possibilities to ensure optimal communication when delivering a project. Email is not always an indicator of the quality of communication, and that’s where project collaboration tools come in. Genius Project offers a “wall”, akin to most social media platforms which is integrated into the project management software to facilitate communication within the team.

A connected project team is essential to successful project delivery. Organization, communication and planning enable employees to gain a global vision of the project, to understand the issues and to be more effective in their respective roles.For more information about Genius Live!

You can visit the Genius Project website.