Us small business owners know what it’s like to work on a one-man team. Oftentimes, we start our business journeys on our own because we don’t have the ability to invest in hiring and paying a team with any regularity. But, once you have the means, hiring a remote team can be extremely helpful.

Hiring and welcoming a team can be an overwhelming task (enter, your OBM 😉), but once you’ve onboarded everyone, you’re good to go, right?

Not necessarily!

It’s easy for your team members (regardless of whether they’re employees or independent contractors) to struggle with staying in sync, especially when you’re not in the same city, state, or even coutry. But with so many online collaboration tools and team management strategies you can use, it’s about to get a whole lot easier.

As an online business manager, I’ve had the privilege of working with numerous small business owners, helping them build and nurture high-performing teams virtually. Through my experiences, I’ve come to realize that the key to a thriving business lies in creating a communicative online team. In this blog post, I’ll share strategies, practical tips, and must-have platforms and tools to empower you as a small business owner to cultivate a cohesive and productive team.

Strategy: Have SOPs For Each Team Member’s Role

One of the foundational pillars for building a thriving online team is the establishment of clear and comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) for each team member’s role. SOPs serve as the roadmap for your team, providing step-by-step guidelines on how tasks should be executed, deadlines met, and objectives achieved.

By documenting processes and protocols, you not only ensure consistency and efficiency but also empower team members to work autonomously with confidence. Also, SOPs foster a culture of accountability and transparency, as everyone understands their responsibilities and the expectations associated with their role. When each team member operates within a framework of well-defined SOPs, collaboration becomes seamless, productivity goes through the roof, and the collective efforts of the team help move your business towards its goals.

Strategy: Have A Regular Team Meeting

Regular team meetings that encompass all members, regardless of their role or location, are an essential piece in fostering a communicative and efficient online team. These meetings serve as a forum for team members to align their efforts, discuss ongoing projects, and address any challenges or concerns that may arise.

By bringing everyone together in a virtual space like Zoom or Google Meet, you cultivate a sense of unity and belonging, breaking down the barriers of distance and ensuring that every voice is heard. Regular team meetings also provide an opportunity to celebrate successes, share best practices, and brainstorm innovative ideas all together. Through consistent communication and collaboration, team members develop a deeper understanding of each other’s roles and contributions, leading to better vibes and enhanced productivity across the board.

Tip: Take Time To Meet One-On-One With Each Team Member

As an online business manager who emphasizes managing teams with empathy, I always recommend establishing individual connections even though you work together virtually. Taking the time to meet individually with each team member goes beyond mere management—it’s about fostering a culture of empowerment and value.

These one-on-one meetings provide a unique opportunity to understand each team member’s strengths, aspirations, and challenges on a personal level. By offering individualized support and feedback, you not only increase their confidence but also demonstrate a genuine investment in their professional growth and well-being. When team members feel valued and understood, they are more likely to approach their work with enthusiasm and dedication, driving the success of the entire team forward.

Communication Platform: Slack

While all of your team members may not live in the same area, effective communication lies at the heart of every successful online team. As an online business manager, I’ve found that utilizing platforms like Slack can be instrumental in fostering a communicative and collaborative environment, even when team members work together virtually.

Slack serves as a centralized hub where team members can easily connect, share ideas, and coordinate efforts in real-time. With features like channels for different projects, direct messaging, and integrations with other essential tools, Slack streamlines communication and ensures that no one is left out of the loop. Whether it’s quick updates, brainstorming sessions, or sharing important documents, Slack facilitates seamless collaboration, breaking down the barriers of distance and time zones. By understanding and using the power of this platform, you can empower your team to work together towards shared goals without falling victim to communication barriers.

Project Management Tool: ClickUp Or Trello

When you’re trying to manage your online team effectively, employing project management tools such as ClickUp or Trello will be extremely valuable. These platforms keep your online team members informed, engaged, and synchronized throughout various projects. With features like task assignments, progress tracking, and deadline reminders, ClickUp or Trello empower team members to stay organized and focused on their respective roles.

Additionally, these tools facilitate seamless communication through comment threads, file sharing capabilities, and real-time updates, fostering collaboration and transparency within the team. By leaning into the power of ClickUp or Trello, you can streamline workflows, up productivity, and continue to move the needle towards success. Seriously, don’t sleep on project management platforms. They’re IT.

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