Communicating in a Virtual Environment

written by: Carie M. McCabe; article published: year 2007, month 04;



In: Categories » Self improvement » Communication » Communicating in a Virtual Environment

In a global economy, people who are located in different cities and countries often work together on common projects. Some of the team players work for the organization while others are contractors. All should be seen as partners in the process. Here are some ideas as to how to work effectively together:

  1. Voice mail. Set up a system to allow people to call in their results to a central number. This data can be updated regularly and fed back to all interested parties.

  2. Teleconferencing. The cost of meeting with people out of town is high, so teleconferencing has become the cheaper alternative. It is possible to set up a number and have all members of the meeting call in at a specified time.

  3. Internet meetings. While the technology is far from perfect, it is possible to hold a meeting on the Internet. NetMeetings (Microsoft), for example, allows people to communicate on a split screen so that typed messages go back and forth. It is also possible to draw on a board and have the other person see it as it is being done. Finally, it is possible to see each other with the use of a relatively inexpensive camera perched on your desk.

  4. Self-directed learning. People needing to learn similar skills can do so on an as-needed basis by accessing increasingly popular tele-classes. While this form of learning is not always ideal, it can provide a low-cost alternative to classroom training for certain skills.

  5. E-mail. This is quickly taking the place of conventional mail as the best and cheapest form of communication. E-mail saves paper and stamps, is typically easy to do, and can be sent with attachments, including voice messages.

  6. Pagers and cellular phones. New satellite technologies are enabling people to stay in touch anywhere in the world — at a cost. Within a country, it is easy and inexpensive to update people on a daily basis.

  7. Chat-lines on the Internet or an intranet. Organizations can encourage communications by setting up bulletin boards where people can post questions and get answers. Useful information for others on the team can be posted there too.

  8. Project management. People sharing the same software can track their progress simultaneously to ensure that they are on time and within budget.

  9. Sharing a common vision and goal. If everyone is aware of and buying into a common vision, they will all be marching in the same direction. If they have established the goal of the project together, they will be committed to achieving it

legal disclaimer

1) Our website is not responsible for the information contained by this article as well for any and all copyright infringements by authors and writers. E-articles is a free information resource. If you suspect this article for any copyright infringements, please read the Terms of service and contact us to investigate the problem.
2) The E-articles directory team is not responsible for inaccuracies, falsehoods, or any other types of misinformation this tutorial may contain and will not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by a user through the user's reliance on the information gained here. Please read the Terms of service

Useful tools and features

Translate this article to...    Send this article to you or to a friend

Link to this article from your page   
If you like this article (tutorial), please link to it from your web page using the information above. Linking to this page, this is the only way to help us improve our service, the same time providing your visitors with a way to improve their online experience.

related articles

1. Communicating: Telephone Skills
The cost of calling long distance is decreasing and more call centres are springing up to deal with customer sales, help, and inquiries. People in these centres are trained to satisfy customers. As a consequence, customer expectations are high, and rising. Here are some ideas of how you can excel on the phone. Greet people warmly. Let people know immediately that you are there to serve. Start off with an introduction such as "This is John Day speaking. How may I help you?" Have a purp...

2. Communicating: Reading Body Language
Research indicates that only 7 percent of a message is communicated with words; 55 percent is transmitted via gestures, and the balance — 38 percent — from tone. Clearly, we need to be more adept at reading non-verbal cues, so our perceptive radar can pick up messages accurately. Body language can be different in different cultures. But in Western societies, there are some clues to the thoughts and feelings of people. Here are some common body postures and what they mean. ...

3. Communicating using E mail
E-mail is fast replacing faxes and regular mail as the primary written form of communication. The ability to send messages around the world in seconds possesses real advantages over other forms of communication, so one can expect this form of communication to grow at a very rapid rate. Using e-mail effectively will improve the way others view you. Use these tips to be an effective modern-day communicator. Make communicating responses a priority — particularly those required by clients. It will impr...

4. Communicating in Writing
Most job descriptions include a requirement for effective communication skills, both oral and written. Sadly, many people find it difficult to express their ideas on paper, and thus to communicate effectively both inside and outside their organizations. Here are some suggestions for improving your writing skills: Think before you write. Could what you need to communicate be better expressed verbally? The most important reasons for written documentation are: an important decision must be made; you are dea...

5. Disciplinary Interview
Having a disciplinary interview is an unpleasant experience for both you and your boss. Needless to say, you should always strive to perform at a level that will earn you accolades, not rebukes. In the event that you are asked to participate in this process, here are some things you can do: BEFORE THE INTERVIEW Prepare yourself thoroughly. You will obviously know the reason for the interview. Collect whatever facts you can, particularly those that may be in your fa...

6. Hiring: Conducting the Interview
As an empowered team member, you can expect to be involved in decisions about who to hire into the department. After all, who is better able to judge the technical skills of potential candidates than the people who do the job! But remember, it is important to find people who will fit in with other team members, so morale can remain high. So take this challenge seriously, as a bad orange can poison the whole bag! Here are some interviewing tips for you: When the candidate enters the room, greet her with a...

7. Communicating: dealing with the informal information
We live in times of turbulent change. People need information to make sense of the things they don't understand. As management typically reacts to these needs, the grapevine will fill in the information gaps for people. Some of the information you will get is true, but a lot will not be. Here are some ways of dealing with the informal information that swirls around you. AVOID RUMOURS Take the attitude that it is better to give too much information than too little...

8. How to Handle Difficult People
Life is about making choices. You can choose the people you want to befriend. But sometimes, in a work situation, you may not be able to avoid people who make your stomach turn when you see them. The type of people you want as little to do with as possible are people who enjoy your failures; insist on telling you what to do without giving you an opportunity to make your own decisions; interrupt at meetings; ...

9. Communicating with Peers
Teamwork is really important in the workplace. Working co-operatively for the benefit of the customers is the purpose of your job. You will enjoy your job much more if the atmosphere is collaborative and positive. This will depend largely on how people communicate with each other. Be the role model, and use these principles to improve communication with and among your peers: Become a better receiver of information and facilitate upward communication. Employees need to feel they have a chance to influence...

10. Listening
Why do people have two ears and one mouth? It's probably because we are meant to listen twice as much as we talk. Or is it because listening is so much more difficult than talking? Listening shows that you care, that you have empathy and are prepared to be influenced. It also allows you to understand where the person you are communicating with is coming from. Here are the golden rules of listening: Give the other person your undivided attention. Don't do other work or take calls while you are listeni...