How to Work with a Team

Virtual teams or telecommuting became a twinkle in the eye of real estate professionals the minute fax machines and direct dial long distance were launched. We just KNEW there had to be some way we could make this work -- to be able to contact our office effectively and quickly from an impressive distance.

By the moment, technology grows to enable this dream to become more of a reality. Not only is administrative support available from a distance, the entire team can function, can mastermind, can accomplish without being face to face in a tangible way.

Virtual activity and teamwork necessitates pro-active communication using the tools available. It requires the application of every teamwork lesson we have learned over the years. Or every teamwork innovation we have developed in the University of Experience

In an article recently published online for Wall Street Journal Working Together -- When Apart, the issues of working at a distance successfully were discussed. The application is not always as pleasant as my experiences have been. Because there is no face to relate to, the team chemistry is difficult to activate. Social networking opportunities with internet groups, blogs, and other sharing tools were found to be beneficial to the success of the project. The requisite chemistry was stimulated when some team members were acquainted going into the project, although having a majority of the members be colleagues could make a stale group. Networkers who do well on these teams for the projected goal and satisfaction of the team are those who have been networking already and bring connections to the team through their former activities.

Breaking the team into modules with specific parts of the project kept the dependency for progress from bottlenecking. Smaller bits could work around the 'mountain' of time zones that often crops up with a long distance team.

Utilizing online sharing tools helped everyone keep on track and keep up. Some organizations have something specifically built into their IT systems, but there are tools for general use such as Go-To-Meeting or WebEx where files can be exchanged. Microsoft Sharepoint lets larger pieces of a project be addressed through a specific website environment. Google Notes, MS OneNote, Evernote plus are some sharing options where work can be posted and be 'tuned' by other members of the team.

There are some impressive conference rooms that permit display of web pages, text messaging, VOIP and webcam participation to enhance the social aspects of team work.

COMMUNICATION -- Who will receive emails and messages? Who is copied on messages? Does everyone have to be copied EVERY time? Expectations about response need to be addressed. Can we set up a schedule? Is a note/response necessary for the rest of the team to know that I will need an hour to get this information together? Well, it would be nice. Schedules could be set using IM resources. I particularly am enjoying Skype for text communication in focus groups.

Vigorous, stimulating projects seem to get better response and application of effort. Let it get boring or let a bore get the floor and there will be more people playing solitaire (because you cannot see them on a conference call), being habitually late to the 'meetings' or managing to skip them altogether. Virtual teams that accomplish the most are "a dynamic collection of inspired people."

I love working virtually. I am able to interconnect with people all over the country. I can work with my choice of equipment. I can WORK despite living in a rather remote area in terms of employment, particularly for my skills. About those skills; because I can be part of virtual teams, I can indulge myself with the software and hardware that I enjoy so much and hone skills that are profitable to me in terms of income and fulfillment. I enjoy the social networking that makes me less invisible. Recently at a local Chamber of Commerce meeting, we discussed why we participate. I do not have a client base in my tangible community. But, participating in community projects helps reassure me that I exist.

I believe that virtual isn't appropriate in every situation. And that it is highly recommended in many. Technology arises to the challenge to make virtual teamwork a great possibility. REAL people with real ectoplasm make the virtual thing work because the REAL people still control the principal of "Garbage in -- Garbage out" Technology is only a tool to be used to the benefit of a project or need. When that can be done long distance I'm a happy camper.