Benefits of virtual teams in workplace and educational settings

¶ … Management: Benefits of Virtual Teams

Proposal for a Shift to Virtual Teams

Situation: A group of workers seeking to achieve a certain task, for instance; to set up a new phone routine for the organization, come together to plan, and thereafter implement the plan, through official face-to-face encounters. In cases where the task at hand is complex, and hence requires more communication, such encounters are usually more frequent and take up long durations of time. Such meetings could be limited by a wide range of factors such as time and geographical barriers. On this front, the team leader or project manager's ability to procure useful talent beyond organizational and geographical boundaries is also limited.

Proposed Solution: Face-to-face meetings and encounters could easily be replaced by virtual meetings. In such a case, team members would not have to physically work together - under one roof. With the help of wireless systems and the internet, brought about by fiber-optic technology, team members are able to work from their preferred locations, and still maintain constant communication with each other (Lekushoff, 2012). Virtual teams could therefore conveniently incorporate part-time and full-time employees, on a local, national, or even global front (Lekushoff, 2012).

Steps Involved:

1. Purchase new gadgets, software and equipment, such as the relevant collaboration tools that would allow for virtual arrangements.

2. Program and test the new gadgets, tools and software.

3. Carry out training programs, through which employees' knowledge on the use of the new equipment, software and other tools is increased, and the mission, goals and ground rules of the same communicated.

4. Distribute the new equipment amongst employees.

Benefits:

Huge cost savings would be made in the form of reduced travelling and relocation expenditure.

The new arrangement is flexible - the configuration of a team could easily be changed when challenges arise (University of Aberdeen, 2014).

The best possible members can be picked, be it from other companies, or within the confines of a particular company. There is the possibility of forming strategic alliances with specialists, or individuals who possess scarce, yet crucial skills (University of Aberdeen, 2014).

Different time zones help to facilitate the completion of tasks, especially if speed is paramount. Through virtual teams located in different parts of the world, projects can be worked on non-stop (around the clock) (University of Aberdeen, 2014).

The new structure offers convenience, especially to women, in that it is relatively family-friendly. Most women are disadvantaged by the stressful commutes associated with on-site arrangements, as they reduce the efficiency with which they can attend to other family commitments (Lekushoff, 2012). Virtual arrangements would, in this regard, help the organization to not only attract, but also retain top talent.

Productivity is enhanced through fewer site-related distractions (Lekushoff, 2012).

Potential Obstacles:

The cost of purchasing the new equipment could be relatively high (University of Aberdeen, 2014). The benefits of such an arrangement are however, more or less immediate; the accumulated savings resulting from the same would, with time, cover the initial costs.