| According to the Small Business Association's | | | | business operations, I let every business |
| Office of Advocacy, small businesses (fewer | | | | owner know I am interested in their company's |
| than 500 employees), represent 99.9 percent | | | | growth and success. The only way that can |
| of America's 25.8 million businesses, this | | | | happen is if I have a clear sense of where |
| ultimately means for success and growth, you | | | | they want their business to go. If you |
| will need to compete. As a small business | | | | communicate to me your "Purpose" clearly, I |
| owner, you are inclined to have more | | | | can work more efficiently and effectively.As |
| responsibilities and tasks to complete. A | | | | a leader, your "employees" look to you for |
| Virtual Team is a helpful way to delegate | | | | leadership and guidance, your "Vision." They |
| work and have acquired time for servicing | | | | cannot do their work until you have an |
| your client's needs, in a specific and direct | | | | understanding what your work is, and where |
| way.A Virtual Team?The definition of a team, | | | | they fit in. If this guidance is not here, |
| as defined in Webster's New World Dictionary | | | | your "employees" will be lost. Mr. Davis |
| is, "A group of people working together in a | | | | hits the proverbial nail on the head when he |
| coordinated effort." By developing a Virtual | | | | says, "Vision means having a clear mental |
| Team, you are able to find more individuals | | | | picture of where you are headed as a leader |
| that will suit your needs. You may need | | | | and as an organization."Building a bridge of |
| assistance with marketing, clerical work or | | | | trust includes another important aspect. |
| sales. They are essentially groups of | | | | Listing and working together. Without goals |
| individuals that are working together, but | | | | accomplished together, your Virtual Team will |
| are located in different sites. They may | | | | fail. You might as well continue to do the |
| meet face-to-face occasionally, but that is | | | | work on your own. Jermaine's "Goals" |
| depending on your comfort level with the idea | | | | statement for the P.V.G. Theory is, "Goals |
| of "Virtual" work.Some individuals argue that | | | | are agreed-upon targets that leaders, |
| Virtual Teams need to meet face-to-face, to | | | | colleagues, and employees direct their |
| discuss organizational issues and needs. | | | | efforts and energies towards." Work together |
| However, with technology advancing as rapidly | | | | and listen together. Be willing to delegate |
| as it is, for those organizations of only a | | | | this work, and come to a common goal. The |
| few individuals, which operate within | | | | most frustrating part of being the |
| financial constraints, there are many viable | | | | "employee," in a Virtual Team, individuals |
| options. Teleconferencing, | | | | that cannot let go of their work. If you |
| videoconferencing, and web meeting rooms are | | | | desire for your business to grow, you need to |
| an easy, affordable way to communicate and | | | | "Let Go!"Delegation of work is a key part of |
| nurture these business relationships.When | | | | the organization process for any business. |
| establishing your Virtual Team, there is | | | | If your business is a sole proprietorship, |
| several things, you will consider. What you | | | | you have completed most of these tasks |
| will need assistance with, commitment | | | | yourself. It may be difficult for you to |
| expectations, and costs may be your primary | | | | look at someone else, and not think, "Will |
| focus. However, have you ever considered | | | | they do this exactly how I like." The great |
| that communication and organization is | | | | thing about Virtual Teams, they will not do |
| something you should prepare for?Share and | | | | it the same. It will add an element of |
| Let Go!Communication and organization are | | | | change to your organization.Remember...Growth |
| vital to Virtual Teams. Whether your company | | | | is contingent on change. With opening your |
| directly employees or "outsources," a | | | | business to the potential of a Virtual Team, |
| relationship needs to be built to gain trust | | | | change is inevitable. You will then be able |
| on both sides. By being open about what your | | | | to focus your energies to providing services |
| company needs and wants, you are establishing | | | | to your customers or other tasks that have |
| a bridge of trust with your "employees." | | | | been set aside. The benefits may not be |
| Jermaine M. Davis, speaker and author of | | | | fiscal right away, but your teams Team's |
| "Leading with Greatness," writes about the | | | | accomplishments will out way any costs in the |
| P.V.G. (Purpose, Vision, and Goals) | | | | end!References:Davis, Jermaine M. (2006). |
| Theory.When discussing "Purpose", Jermaine | | | | Leading with Greatness. Jermaine M. Davis.SBA |
| states, "Purpose means having a complete and | | | | Office of Advocacy (2006). Small Business |
| comprehensive understanding of your | | | | Association. |
| organization's mission." I know in my | | | | |