How to Train to Improve Virtual Team Communication

Virtual teams communicate with the aid of technology.

Organizations are increasingly relying on technology to facilitate communications between geographically dispersed colleagues. The mediums used among virtual teams include the Internet for Webinars, the telephone for teleconferences and personal computers or laptops for email exchanges. Providing virtual teams with communication-centered training can lead to an improved level of trust among members and also increase the level of honesty in all future interactions.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Telephone

Instructions

1. Determine if the virtual team members need help with how to use the technology required for their interactions with one another. Communication can't be effective if a large portion of the effort is spent trying to master the medium. If this is the problem, send either a colleague or outside trainer to each team member for a refresher course on how to properly use their equipment.

2. Bring in a trainer that specializes in diversity to help the virtual team members better relate to colleagues from a different culture. According to BNet.com, virtual teams can improve communication when members use illustrating, which involves telling part of a story as an example that might help get the meaning of their message across to others.

3. Add functions like instant messaging to the work stations that team members will be using to facilitate immediate, real-time communication. Instruct them not to abuse the service and cause distractions during the work day but to only use it to address timely business concerns.

4. Make all training offerings self-directed in nature so that virtual team members in different time zones can access the material at their own convenience.

Tips & Warnings

• Despite being virtual, work teams need to feel a level of connectedness to each other and to the overall business. Set regular meeting times and adhere to them to instill a sense of stability in the virtual team.

References

• BNet: Virtual team interaction: here's how to improve people's virtual-collaboration skills - Training 101

Resources

• University of Zagreb: Improving Virtual Team Communications
• Encyclopedia.jrank: The Dynamics of Virtual Teams