You Can't Afford to Miss.
If the past year has taught us anything, it's that running a virtual company isn't as scary as initially thought.
Virtual companies are a great way to minimize your limited resources. By working virtually, you can do more with less, and be more productive with your time.
With so many companies having to evaluate or expand the role of virtual work in their business models, I thought I should share some of the lessons learned.
Let's get started!
#1. Trust, don't track
In order to make working virtually a success, your culture must be built on trust and that means treating your team like adults. If you're still in the mindset of checking up on your staff or tracking every microsecond of their time, remote working is never going to work for your business. Micromanagers need not apply. In recent weeks there's been a lot of news coverage about companies installing time tracking and other workplace surveillance apps on their team's computers and devices. It goes without saying that this level of employee surveillance is never going to build a sense of trust. If you treat your employees like adults, they will act like adults. If you treat them like naughty school children, that's exactly what you'll get.
#2. Get your systems in order
It is important to set up the right practical environment for a startup. Early commitment is needed to motivate the necessary decision making that would enable such a startup to grow rapidly and profitably. An important step toward this end is what is commonly called ''getting your systems in order.'' Many factors determine the order in which practical operations take place; in particular technical capabilities, financial resources, staff capacities and entrepreneurial personality. To successfully launch a virtual business online, you're going to need to develop a plan for how you are going to build your company from the ground up. List assets and business-related liabilities so you can accurately trace your financial health to bottom line. #3. Hire the right people
This seems like I am stating the obvious, but there are important distinctions here. Obviously, we are all looking for the right skill set and fit, but a virtual business requires some very specific attributes that are different from a traditional brick and mortar establishment. Self motivation, self discipline and time management have become every bit as important as knowledge and experience. More so in many ways. We have found it easier to educate and train than it is to instill the sociological qualities we are looking for.
#4. Set goals
When new people start, they always have about 30 days of bewilderment while they try to figure out if no one really cares that they took a two-hour lunch because they've started work at 5 am all week. Everyone has very specific goals. We track against those instead of number of hours worked. Here's another little known secret; when people work from home against goals, they actually work more and are more productive.
#5. Communication is the Key!
The overarching prerequisite to successfully transforming into a virtual company is communication. With a diverse workforce located in an ever expanding geographical landscape, communication becomes the bedrock and cornerstone of success and growth. This is an ideology, not a process or set of tools. All staff at every level must buy into the mantra of constant communication. Isolation is the single most dangerous side-effect of working remotely. The business must do everything in its power to mitigate the effects of isolation on its staff.
Final Thoughts...
Virtual companies are popping up left and right. Technology has made it much easier to start your own business; you can create and sell a new product or service without having to work for someone else. These startups are not only more accessible but are also more innovative in their approach to running the business. Competition is stiff but so is the choice of services and products offered by virtual companies. You end up doing business with companies whose core values you can trust and whose culture you are comfortable with.
Does your business need a virtual customer representative for your website? We are here to help you reach your goals... Reach us here...
You can learn more about our market entry expertise or get in touch to discuss a potential project.
Comments
Post a Comment