Virtual teams are an increasingly common part of the Australian real estate industry, thanks to the reduced overhead and limitless location flexibility they allow. Whether you’re going all-virtual or integrating one remote worker, the lack of in-person communication can be a challenge. With the right strategies, you can build a strong, productive team.
1. Integrate Video Conferencing
For real estate professionals, many of whom tend to be masters of communication, the isolation of working remotely can come as a shock. Video conferencing reduces this loneliness by creating a familiar, friendly team dynamic. Keep your workers happy and engaged with weekly group video meetings. To reinforce personal connections, encourage individual workers to use video chat for one-on-one conversations.
2. Set Clear Expectations
Without the luxury of informal in-person guidance from managers, remote workers often work without a clear understanding of responsibilities and procedures. Start your team off on the right foot by providing a set of clear expectations. Then, help them understand your company’s operations by explaining typical communication channels and feedback loops within the team. Don’t leave it there — offer continuing support with regular check-in meetings. By embracing transparency and encouraging open communication, you can build trust and ensure that each person can accomplish their sales goals.
3. Offer Regular Feedback
Managing virtual teams requires a great deal of feedback — without it, remote workers may feel ignored or adrift. Aim for a mix of informal and formal communication. Send a quick email or text when you notice something positive, or contribute helpful suggestions to a group discussion. Share information that can help workers succeed: tips for better listings, new marketing trends or the name of a great new staging company in their area. For serious feedback, schedule a phone call or video chat; it’s easy to misconstrue tone or intent in text-only conversations.
4. Hold Virtual Group Meetings
Phone calls and video meetings are useful tools for remote workers, but they don’t enable efficient document sharing and dynamic discussion. Virtual meetings are a convenient all-in-one solution — they combine voice, text and screen sharing, so you can ensure that everyone in the group focuses on the same thing. Programs such as GoToMeeting enable flexible presentation capabilities and real-time feedback, eliminating the need for long email chains.
5. Meet In Person
There’s no substitute for personal interaction, even for people who thrive in a virtual setting. If you’re looking to build a lasting team, reinforce your bond by scheduling in-person meetings at least once per year. Get the most out of the trip by planning around a specific event, such as an annual-planning meeting or a real estate conference. These sessions create memories and build relationships that enable better remote collaboration
