Organizations have adapted well to the transformation that has taken place in the corporate work culture because of virtual teams gaining prominence. Having a virtual assistant or a team of virtual employees working as a part of your company has not only given great results in terms of business but also expanded the company's vision of operating within a team.
At first, it does seem overwhelming and full of challenges to imagine a team of employees located remotely who you must coordinate and work daily with. However, it has been observed by many successful businesses today that once they have a well-planned structure of operation, it is possible to create a productive and strong virtual team. India has emerged on top in this segment, as India has a large talent pool and resources available in every field.
A virtual assistant in India can assist companies with different sets of requirements, such as graphic design, bookkeeping, marketing, etc. Being an outsourcing hub, India boasts of having skilled and trained virtual employees who can be hired at a cost-friendly price by companies based internationally. A virtual assistant company in India does not only claim to have the best talent available but also ensures they follow any international industry guidelines and adhere to all rules and regulations.
To ensure that a remote team is working successfully, there are some simple yet effective techniques and practices one must adhere to.
Here are a few ways to lay the foundation towards building a strong and productive virtual assistant team.
- Onboarding: Virtual assistants in India are alert and proactive from the beginning and ask all important questions while joining an organization. It is a great way to start building familiarity with your virtual assistants. You must invest time during the onboarding process with your team members. You may schedule calls and meetings to acquaint them with your company's day-to-day operations, familiarize them with the software and tools used by your team, and share with them the relevant point of contacts.
- Background Checks While Hiring: Virtual assistants are available for hiring via various virtual assistant companies in India, which provide a full work history and important details about the potential candidates. Additionally, these professionals go through a series of examinations before their resumes are shared with you. You can choose to cross-check information through sources in the market and ask for referrals. This will give you an added sense of security before including a remote employee in your team.
- Integrate a Virtual Assistant into your Team: It is very important for your virtual team members to feel a sense of belonging and oneness with everyone else. When they feel included, they feel a higher sense of purpose, and it will reflect in their performance as well. Once they feel like an equal part of your team despite being located remotely, they will also feel more responsible for their deliverables.
- Leverage Technology- Technology is an important pillar upon which any virtual team can be built. Providing your virtual assistants in India access to tools and software they need to use during work to share information, communicate, and exchange ideas must be considered a priority. You must make sure to establish specific methods and tools for communication, mail, and data sharing platforms. This will leave no space for mismanagement or confusion.
- Regular Communication: Communication holds the key to any successful and fruitful relationship. When it comes to managing a virtual team, communication lies at the centre of it. An effective and articulate way of expressing yourself is the only way you can ensure that your messages are received and interpreted accurately. Once a healthy two-way communication is established between you and your virtual assistants, it is much easier for you to collectively create innovative ideas and strategies for your business.
- Build a Trusting Relationship. It is important for your virtual assistants in India to feel that they are being trusted with their work and credibility. You need to make it a priority to establish a rapport with them and make them feel like a trusted resource. It gives a massive boost to an employee’s confidence and performance when their manager believes in their capacity to resolve issues and offer solutions.
- Feedback: In the fast-paced life of a business owner, it's common to only engage with remote team members when problems arise due to the challenges of working outside the office. Typically, you'd reach out to address errors or request changes and then return to your own tasks. Unfortunately, this practice can quickly create a negative perception of communication between you and your client or boss, causing feelings of anxiety or dread whenever you receive a message from them.
While it's essential not to shy away from offering constructive feedback when mistakes occur, it's equally important to consistently express your positive feedback.
It is a gradual process to build a strong team that is aligned with your company’s goals and visions and works accordingly. Inculcating the above-mentioned practices as a part of your daily work culture will help you build strong relationships with your virtual assistants and give your insight into the issues and obstacles they might stumble upon. Long-term retention of virtual employees or a virtual team is more likely when there is greater connection among the team members and overall job satisfaction. An integrated team and close employee relations will strengthen your organization in more ways than one. They will invest in projects with a higher sense of ownership.
Indian virtual assistants are known across industries for their impeccable performance and professionalism. Their expertise and experience working with international clients enable them to tailor to different business needs and get accustomed to different work cultures easily. They work well with teams and hold a strong command over English language which keeps any worries you may have about communication at bay
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