Virtual Technology: Creating Change

           

             Companies are now realizing the endless amount of opportunities that virtual teams can bring to a business.  Virtual teams are “teams in which members may be a great distance from each other, but still are able to collaborate intensively” using technology such as chat programs, email and video-chat.  The article “How to Manage a Virtual Project Team” discusses how this growing trend, could lead to a demand for workers that are skilled in virtual communication.  In turn, this could lead to major changes in education, businesses and employees lifestyles in general, which      

            By implementing virtual teams in a company, they can tap into various resources that otherwise would have been impossible.  Location is no longer an issue, so if there are talented individuals located across the world they can become part of the team.  Virtual teams can also help employees by enabling them to work from home, and allowing them to avoid transportation time and costs.  Without having to worry about this employees gain more family time, free time and can even save money.  Although this could cause problems too such as employees not feeling included in the company or slacking off on work which can cause major setbacks for the company.

            I think that this is a great new tool, but it is best in most cases with limited usage because I think that would equal the greatest amount of productivity.  Employees who are allowed to work at home face far too many distractions and too much freedom isn’t always good.  Although on certain days, such as in the case of inclement weather this is a great tool because the employees are safe and dont need to worry about getting to work, yet the productivity of the company is still performing up to standards.  On the other hand, in reference to communicating internationally, I think this is a great tool because the benefits are overwhelming, companies no longer need to travel internationally or deal with long distance phone calls when they can skype online in an instant.  Ultimately this growing trend has and will continue to drastically change the way business works. 

http://www.cio.com.au/article/368495/how_manage_virtual_project_team/