In the past, very few people worked from home; however, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is no longer the case. Studies suggest that over 80% of businesses now have employees who work remotely.
Unfortunately, this brought with it many challenges. In the early days of the pandemic, communicating with remote employees was extremely difficult. There were very few tools to allow businesses to do this successfully. Thankfully, this is no longer the case; there are now several virtual collaboration tools for businesses, including online whiteboards. In this article, we will talk in more detail about virtual collaboration and why businesses should use whiteboards if they have remote employees.
What is Virtual Collaboration?
Virtual collaboration allows people to share information and ideas online when they’re apart. There are several ways teams can do this. For example, they can use an online collaboration tool such as a free online whiteboard, video conferencing software, or talk over an instant message. All of these things help teams to communicate effectively when they aren’t in the same room.
The Benefits of Virtual Collaboration
Virtual collaboration tools, when used effectively, have many benefits. Here are some of the main ones:
- They allow a team to connect with people who cannot be there physically – many businesses have personnel working remotely. If your employees work remotely, virtual collaboration tools can help you to stay in touch with them easily.
- They help you stay organized – some virtual collaboration tools can help your business stay organized. This includes online whiteboards.
- They allow you to communicate ideas quickly – most virtual collaboration tools are immediate, meaning you can communicate ideas with remote employees quickly and effectively.
- They help accommodate busy schedules – many people cannot attend in-person meetings; they may be unwell or working in another country. In the past, this was a massive issue for businesses; however, this is no longer the case. Virtual collaboration tools like whiteboards allow employees to attend meetings, even if they can’t be there in person.
- The technology can benefit the company – some great virtual collaboration tools are online. These tools can help businesses meet their goals, increase productivity, and facilitate their progress.
- They help keep large groups connected – if your business is entirely online, virtual collaboration tools, such as whiteboards, can help you build relationships with your team, communicate goals, and share important updates. Without a physical office, virtual collaboration tools allow companies with remote employees to stay connected.
Why Whiteboards are a Great Virtual Collaboration Tool
Although there are several virtual collaboration tools for businesses to choose from, one of the best is the online whiteboard. Whiteboards can be used to share ideas, visualize concepts and thoughts, explain, plan, teach, and create. On top of this, businesses can use virtual whiteboards for remote team meetings.
Tips and Tricks for Successful Virtual Collaboration
If you’re thinking of using virtual collaboration tools in your business, here are some tips and tricks to help you:
- Encourage all employees to participate – virtual collaboration will not be successful unless you encourage your employees to use it. However, this is often harder than it sounds. Some employees may not feel they have the proper knowledge to use this technology. In this case, you will need to offer training.
- Don’t overlook in-person collaboration – while virtual collaboration has many benefits, sometimes teams can benefit from in-person interactions.
- Connect with your employees – if virtual collaboration is used too often, your employees may feel disconnected. To prevent this, you must have regular in-person meetings or call them regularly to see how they are doing.
Since the move to the remote workplace due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more businesses are choosing to collaborate with their employees virtually. One way they are doing this is by using a virtual whiteboard. If you have remote workers but have yet to give it a go, check them out.