Are you looking for ways to keep your virtual team engaged and connected while working remotely? Managing a virtual team comes with its unique set of challenges, such as communication barriers, time zone differences, and absence of physical interactions. However, with the right strategies in place, you can keep your virtual team motivated, productive, and happy. In this article, I will be sharing some best practices that will help you keep your virtual team engaged and connected.

Schedule Regular Video Calls 👥💻

With remote work becoming the norm these days, it’s easy for virtual team members to feel isolated and disconnected. One of the best ways to overcome this challenge is to schedule regular virtual meetings. Video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams are great tools for scheduling video calls. During these meetings, team members can discuss ongoing projects, give progress updates, and interact with one another. Regular video calls foster a sense of camaraderie and help team members build relationships with one another.

A laptop with a virtual meeting on the screen with team members

Encourage Collaboration and Teamwork 💪🤝

Collaboration and teamwork are essential for productivity and creativity. Encouraging your virtual team to collaborate can help create a sense of community and accountability. Platforms like Trello, Asana, and Slack can foster real-time collaboration, allowing team members to collaborate, communicate, and share ideas easily. Encourage team members to work together on projects and offer incentives to encourage collaboration.

Two laptops side by side with a Trello board open on the screen

Celebrate Milestones and Achievements 🏆🎉

When team members are working remotely, it’s easy to forget about milestones and achievements. Celebrating these accomplishments not only boosts team morale but also helps team members feel appreciated and valued. Recognizing team members’ efforts and highlighting their successes can also encourage others to strive for excellence. Be sure to celebrate small successes as well as big ones, as even small achievements can be significant to the team’s progress.

A laptop screen with a congratulations message and balloons

Provide Feedback and Support 💬🤝

Virtual team members can easily feel disconnected from their work and the team. Providing feedback and support is crucial in keeping them engaged and motivated. Ensure regular performance evaluations and feedback, and listen to team members’ concerns. Provide support where necessary to help team members tackle challenges and maintain productivity. Establish an open-door policy where team members can approach you with any concerns or challenges they are facing.

A laptop with an employee receiving feedback from their virtual manager

Promote Virtual Social Interaction 🤗🎉

Working virtually can be isolating, and virtual team members may struggle to build relationships with colleagues. Encouraging virtual social interaction can help bridge this gap and foster a sense of community among team members. Organize virtual social events such as virtual team lunches, virtual happy hours, or team building exercises. These can create a sense of camaraderie and allow team members to get to know each other outside of work.

Two laptops side by side with colleagues laughing during a virtual happy hour

Implementing these best practices can help keep your virtual team engaged and connected. By scheduling regular video calls, encouraging collaboration and teamwork, celebrating milestones and achievements, providing feedback and support, and promoting virtual social interaction, you can keep your team motivated and productive. Remember, keeping your virtual team engaged is not a one-time event but a continuous effort that requires attention and effort.

A laptop with a picture of a virtual team on the screen with the title 'Keeping Your Virtual Team Engaged and Connected-Best Practices'