The pandemic has brought us digital transformation and it’s now evident that people will have to not only adjust, but also learn how to continue working remotely for a long period of time. That said, we are seeing many organisations realising that their employees don’t need to physically be present in office, but can still make a positive impact while working from home. However, experts believe that remote work can only be able to go mainstream with the help of virtual collaboration tools available today that allow people to connect effortlessly and instantaneously. To understand this, virtual collaboration is defined as working jointly toward a common goal using digital resources as the primary means of cooperation. In absence of physical interaction, distributed teams leverage digital tools that allow for real-time communication, collaboration, and file-sharing. Freedom Kabera, a law student at University of Kigali says virtual collaboration is all about getting work done without being physically present. This, according to him ranges from working together to solve small problems, to partnering in brainstorming on how to go about daily work that normally takes place in any given working environment. When it comes to virtual collaboration, what is most needed is having a wide range of digital communication and project management tools, editing documents among others. Alphonse Uworwabayeho, a lecturer of mathematics at University of Rwanda, says working remotely and adopting virtual collaboration helps address employees with diverse working styles. In fact, he mentions that it has been proven that the best teams leverage diversity to achieve long-term success. He says that diverse working styles mean that every employee has their own working styles ranging from those who are highly organised and are excellent planners, to those who are skilled at strategizing and integrating concepts and ideas. There are also those who are highly compassionate and communicative, and that understanding well how to work with each and every one can help bring positive impact to the organisation. Vagne Muneza, a physical education teacher and football referee says with virtual collaboration that he normally uses in his line of work, he has seen it offer a profound way to cater to others with diverse working styles. He notes that for instance, with virtual collaboration, his trainees have no issues when it comes to planning their workday and accomplishing their duties. What to consider Uworwabayeho says virtual collaboration would mean that people don’t have to be physically present in the office. For this reason, he notes that this can lead to organisations spending less money on other things that are required for employees to work efficiently at the workplace. According to various online studies and research, it is considered that in order to practice virtual collaboration efficiently, there is a need to understand different ways of doing it; Have regular check-ins with teammates and direct reports Weekly one-on-ones are essential to keeping your workforce happy and productive. For direct reports, consider one-on-one time to talk about whatever they want. Also, with virtual teams, it’s especially important to defend this time and avoid cancelling or rescheduling. Share important documents and give each person access Leverage project management software or file management tools to keep everyone on the same page – literally. From day one, all new hires should have access to your chosen software and have the correct permission set so that they don’t hit roadblocks when they’re mid-project. Host virtual get-togethers for brainstorming and communication The overall effectiveness of your virtual collaboration initiatives stems from your team’s ability to mesh with each other. It is believed that every video chat doesn’t have to be purpose-driven or follow a formal meeting structure, one can also use their sessions to brainstorm project hang-ups, or simply get to know each other.
