When stress rises, and colleagues are geographically dispersed, it is beneficial to not only employ useful technology for communicating, but also to be deliberate about building and reinforcing relationships.

“Managing virtually offers many benefits: It’s easy to accommodate differing schedules, schedule meetings on short notice, reduce travel expenses, be more ecologically friendly, and decrease unproductive travel time. It also allows for the creation of more diverse teams that bring together broader experience and knowledge. But the most important thing for managers to remember is that the success of any team, virtual or not, depends on the people. Technology can bring you together, but it’s the manager who must make sure the relationships stay vital, each team member is valued, and productivity is high.”

BusinessWeek, July 16, 2009, “Managing Virtual Workers”

By Billie Williamson