As an increasing number of companies are opting for smarter office spaces, the concept of virtual work spaces is gaining fast popularity. The new age is all about sophisticated machines and technology. If any corporate entity fails to recognize this modern implication, their professional system is sure to fall behind. Virtual work spaces is an efficient solution from multiple angles. It not only offers a business access to latest-in-line technological innovations, but also saves the company precious dollars that would otherwise be invested in a physical office setting.
So, what is a Virtual Work Space?
As the name suggests, a Virtual workspace is one where the routine business operations are carried out without the usual setting of a physical office. The Word ‘virtual’ signifies the technological aspect of this concept. The organization implements its routine activities through the use of advanced and adequate communications technology and the benefits of the cloud. For instance, let us consider a regular office. The heads of two departments would be seated in the same room to facilitate a meeting. Virtual offices ensure that the purpose is met along with the convenience of working from anywhere the client wants to. The meeting would take place through communications softwares.
Virtual conversations mean that employees could be in Miami, South Florida, the US, or any other part of the world! All that matters is adequate technology and an uninterrupted internet connection. Something quite similar to Facebook and other social networking websites. Virtual offices require employees to work from home, a shared office building or a leased office space.
The virtual office is a combination of essential technology hardware and software. Hardwares includes a computer system, fax machine, printers and related machines. Software essentials include tools like GoToMeeting that could be used for remote desktop access during virtual meetings.
In spite of the convenience and self-motivated work style, more than often, many virtual workspaces do not work out the way they were expected to. Here are the crucial components to be taken care of for a successful virtual office setting:
The Right Task Force
The absence of a physical setting means no stringent work style and adherence to work routine. Employees would be meeting their deadlines, according to their personal work methods. This is not an easy job. Employees should have a strong sense of work commitment and culture to ensure they stay motivated enough to communicate efficiently with both the internal and external work environments.
Employees should display a strong culture of ethical conduct, self-reliance, confidence in the system along with effective employee communication and coordination.
Setting up Valid Benchmarks
As a manager within a virtual workspace, it is essential to set effective benchmarks to ensure the business plan is moving forward according to its design. Benchmarks are essential to check progress and accomplishments.
A good method of setting benchmarks is by pre-allocating a particular day or time for employee meetings and discussions. This is a useful method to ensure that, even in a self-driven environment, the business priorities are being covered.
Adequate Lines of Physical Interaction must be Maintained
It is important to ensure that the employees meet once in a while within a physical setting. As an entrepreneur, you could arrange for occasional meetings, get-togethers or some company recreational activity. These get-togethers could be beneficial for getting the employees better acquainted with each other, meeting new people, discussing and planning strategies and procedures and increasing the employee rapport in your office.
The benefit of a virtual work space is more quality inclined and not just the monetary advantages. As an entrepreneur, you could make the concept work for you by hiring the right employees and allocating compelling benchmarks.