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