Advantages and Disadvantages of Virtual Teams
Although virtual teams were available a few years ago, they were always an option that a workplace could take or leave. However, due to COVID19, remote or virtual teams were no longer a luxury or choice. They became a necessity, a mandatory part of today's and the future's work life. Let's, therefore, discuss in short their pros and cons.
Advantages of Virtual Teams
1. Cost Saving
Companies only pay for the level of help they require with virtual staff. The connected services have no overhead costs (e.g., computer, office space, Communication between virtual and in-house staff, benefits). With a traditional structure, your business will have to spend thousands of dollars on office space and maintenance each year.
However, you can dramatically minimize these costs by converting to a remote work environment. You don't have to offer PPE (personal protective equipment), sanitation supplies, or even adjust your office layout to make it safe for returning employees if your staff works remotely.
According to Global Workplace Analytics, employers may save over $11,000 every half-time virtual employee. 1
2. Productivity Improvements
According to a recent PWC study, 34% of employees feel more productive now than before the epidemic because they work from home, and more than half of executives (52%) concur. This is due to a variety of factors.2
For one thing, employees are less likely to be distracted at home. They are not distracted from their job by office chatter or coworkers stopping by their desks. As a result, individuals can devote their total concentration to any given activity and work more than they would if they were working in an office.
Remote work can also be linked to flexible work schedules, which allow employees to work around crucial personal obligations like doctor appointments without taking an entire day off. Employees who work remotely can start work whenever convenient for them, take regular breaks, and choose their schedule. Taking pauses can help you be more productive in and of itself.
3. Happy Employees
Employees who are pleased with their jobs: One of the benefits of a virtual office is that many employees like its flexibility. They can work from home and avoid coping with long commutes every day. They'll be able to set more flexible work hours and fit in personal time as needed. They are welcome to come to work in their pajamas!! Just make sure the employee wants to work from home and has the discipline to do so, as many people can't separate their job and personal lives when doing both in the same place and would struggle to work alone every day. 3
Disadvantages of Virtual Teams
1. Technology Costs
The effective use of different communication tools such as instant messaging, emails, and videoconferencing, among others, is critical to the success of a virtual workforce. There is no single tool that can provide total support. These installation and maintenance items cost a little more than average. 4
2. Miscommunications and Conflicts
Some people are less effective virtual communicators; therefore, communication styles can be difficult. Talking on the phone or via video conferencing, for example, may not necessarily reflect the nuances of a person's personality. Unless all teammates have a basic command of business English, language can be difficult. 5
3. Social Isolation
The lack of physical interactions has a negative impact on many members of virtual teams. In a virtual setting, the majority of Communication is task-oriented. In today's age, where work is a major social force for most of us because many of our coworkers are also close friends, this can lead to a negative sense of social isolation. This, in turn, hurts productivity and causes stress. 6
1Accessed 29 Jan 2022, https://learn.marsdd.com/article/virtual-teams-benefits-and-disadvantages/#:~:text=Benefits%20include%20affordable%20expertise%20(particularly,management%20and%20incompetent%20team%20members
Accessed 29 Jan 2022, https://biz30.timedoctor.com/virtual-team-advantages-and-disadvantages/
2Accessed 29 Jan 2022, https://biz30.timedoctor.com/virtual-team-advantages-and-disadvantages/
3 Forbes, 4 May 2020, George Deeb, The Pluses and Minus of Virtual teams, Accessed 29 Jan 2022, https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgedeeb/2020/05/04/the-pluses--minuses-of-virtual-teams/?sh=6fb269063aba
4Accessed 29 Jan 2022, < https://www.managementstudyguide.com/virtual-teams-advantages-and-disadvantages.htm
5Accessed 29 Jan 2022, https://onlinemasters.ohio.edu/blog/the-pros-cons-of-the-virtual-team/
6Accessed 29 Jan 2022, https://www.managementstudyguide.com/virtual-teams-advantages-and-disadvantages.htm
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