The Profile of Success: Building High Performing Virtual Teams

cdn.business2community.comonline_work_1548879375-9938aceb32a24661a0cbe322ebeaa6164499ca74 The Profile of Success: Building High Performing Virtual Teams

fancycrave1 / Pixabay

Although many companies have made significant investments in virtual teams and the technology to support them, a surprising number of these teams do not reach their full potential. In an effort to understand what sets successful teams apart from those that fail to deliver, OnPoint Consulting conducted a survey of 48 virtual teams and over 300 virtual team members across a variety of industries. This research identified a number of specific practices associated with the most successful teams and provides organizations with a number of specific recommendations to enhance the performance of their virtual teams.

Eleven Virtual Team Success Factors

Stable and Consistent Team Membership

When changes in team membership are less frequent, there is greater stability and more time for team members to build lasting relationships that facilitate trust and collaboration.

Fewer Team Members

The most effective virtual teams consisted of fewer than ten people, while the least effective teams had 13 members or more.

Members From the Same Function

Cross-functional teams face unique challenges and greater levels of complexity that inhibit performance in a virtual environment.

Members on Fewer Teams

Many team members from low-performing teams reported participating in multiple virtual teams, which hindered their overall effectiveness.

Members with Longer Tenure

The top-performing teams had been together for more than three years, suggesting that vital communication and execution practices improved significantly over time.

Face-to-Face Kick-off Meetings

Teams that conducted an initial face-to-face meeting within the first 90 days achieved better performance than teams that never met face-to-face.

More Frequent Meetings

63 percent of high-performing teams “met” at least once a week, compared to 29 percent of the less-effective teams.

Leveraging Technology

High-performing teams were more likely to report having the proper technology to facilitate remote work and collaboration, and used video conferencing more often.

Providing Skill Training

Teams that participated in more than four development sessions performed significantly better than teams with one or zero sessions.

Team Leaders Who Are Better at Leading From a Distance

Leaders of high-performing teams are better able to promote virtual collaboration, which was a key challenge reported by their lower-performing counterparts.

Have More Members Reporting Directly to the Team Leader

When team leaders have direct reporting relationships with team members, they’re better able to keep the team focused on shared goals, follow through on obligations, and hold team members accountable.

Tips for Building High Performing Virtual Teams

In light of these success factors, there are five key actions organizations can take to enhance the performance of their virtual teams.

Ensure the Right Fit of Skill-to-Task When Selecting Virtual Team Leaders

The most effective virtual team leaders are able to balance the execution-oriented, interpersonal practices, and the cultural factors that are prevalent in virtual teaming. Organizations should select team leaders based on the characteristics required for leading from a distance and periodically assess their effectiveness.

Set Teams Up for Success (And Don’t Take the Team Launch For Granted!)

Organizations need to be thoughtful about team membership and team size while also ensuring that they have the appropriate resources to work together virtually. For example, use criteria for virtual team member selection and consider who needs to be on the team to make high-quality decisions and ensure buy-in. If the team size becomes too large, have sub-teams work on specific issues and report back to the larger team. When possible, conduct a face-to-face start-up meeting to discuss team purpose and goals, individual roles, learn more about each other, develop team norms, plan an effective communication strategy, and conduct team development activities.

Develop Reward Strategies

Organizations should implement programs that reward and recognize virtual teams for their collective performance. Group successes should be celebrated virtually so that everyone knows what the team has accomplished. At the same time, individual achievements shouldn’t go unnoticed. Virtual leaders can “spotlight” team members to reward good performance and make sure they know their contributions are valued.

Foster Accountability

Teams can reinforce accountability by developing action plans that document who is responsible for what and when. These action plans should be posted publicly to increase awareness and help avoid social loafing. Team leaders and members can also incorporate one or more virtual team responsibilities into their goals or personal development plan to ensure they will keep focused on efforts that drive overall team success as part of their personal goals.

Assess Team Progress

Regularly review virtual team communication and work processes to assess which aspects are effective and where improvements might be made. Periodically collect feedback from stakeholders to assess the team’s performance, identify barriers to high performance, and steps to overcome these barriers.

It’s important to remember that the factors that contribute to the success of a virtual team are not the same as those for a co-located team. Organizations that incorporate the eleven success factors when forming virtual teams and follow the five recommendations for their ongoing development will find that their investment will pay off handsomely.

cdn.business2community.comef6ec145-e4a3-484a-a740-2-bd8433616f2eb240327c6d11fd43eb37167418e3 The Profile of Success: Building High Performing Virtual Teams

7jPZkzkNeww The Profile of Success: Building High Performing Virtual Teams

RECOMMENDED POSTS

Find Out More

Marketing Tips You Need

Keep In Touch

Quick Subscribe

Client Reviews Tell The Tale.

Help Educate LeadersDecember 22, 2024
Jillissa CooperOctober 31, 2024
Paul GrewSeptember 25, 2024
Nicole NoblesApril 18, 2024
Dan was a delight to work with. I needed a few headshots taken for my LinkedIn profile and Dan provided the easiest and most comfortable experience using state-of-the art equipment in a very professional setting. Also, the turn-around time on results was quick and I felt completely engaged and satisfied during the entire process. I highly recommend his services.Donny RitcharoenDecember 19, 2023
I got headshots taken and they turned out so well! The lighting was amazing.Tessa ChanMay 30, 2023
We used Appture to build a lodging website, and they were awesome! Dan went above and beyond to show us the functions and make all of our changes. Appture is our go to for web design from now on!Abigail HaleOctober 26, 2022
Appture knows their business and will go the extra mile for their customers. They do high quality work and provide great ongoing support.Chris McCorkindaleMay 24, 2022
Anita CauthornMay 24, 2022
It’s so rare in these times to find one man with so much wow factor and more rare to find men with similar interest and passion in their life journey as myself . Dan Elliott has been introduced to many in what is now considered as the Terror Dome , a place where many dreams are not deferred they are detoured to routes that lead to dead ends , he comes in full of optimism so infectious that he, maybe with out knowing is energizing those who have ventured where others would fear going with just the right jolt to forge on in the way of helping fallen humanity … His various fields of expertise has helped many in my region and I can only imagine the number he has effected beyond those I know … from day one I knew “ this was a man of kindred spirit “ Dan Elliott is a Gem and adds glimmer to things he touches … I’m a Witness ….and eternally grateful….L.Rashaan RichMay 21, 2022
Dan and his group are highly capable and knowledgeable. They work fast and get the job done. I highly recommend Appture.Justin FrankMarch 26, 2022
They are highly specialized in their work and constantly seek innovation.Ismail YenigulMarch 14, 2022
Dan is a marketing wizard. Honest, Experienced and a read deal. I am blessed to have him in my journey online :) Highly recommended.Sabbir HasanMarch 7, 2022
So much to say. Creative, Intelligent, Talented, Limitless, Affordable. It's amazing what these guys can do.Hack mackMay 17, 2019
We'd used some other agencies before, but man, they simply knocked us all over. After being in business for 30 years, I wonder how much more business we'd be doing if we'd hired them earlier.Rebecca HoneaMay 17, 2019