1. Faster Digital Transformation: Increased IT Workloads
Since significant remote work and virtual team activities will stay after the pandemic, IT workload will likely continue above pre-COVID levels. This translates to more digital transformation investments not only limited to tools but also training. So, expect companies to place more investments in technology and technology use.
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2. More Fully-Remote and Hybrid Companies
Over the years, telecommuting has become virtual work. Then we started using remote work. Later on, a much simpler and relatable term, working from home (WFH), became the norm. As remote work becomes more prevalent, thanks to the pandemic, there will be different work configurations available.
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2. More Fully-Remote and Hybrid Companies
Similarly, companies are now also categorized based on how much telecommuting they allow their teams. In the next coming years, we expect more organizations to go fully remote or more hybrid. In fact, the trend already started in 2020.
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3. The Increase in Virtual Workers
The number of people working remotely has been steadily growing since 2005 (FlexJobs, 2019). In fact, in one study by McKinsey, it was found that 20% to 25% of workers in advanced economies could perform their jobs remotely 3+ days a week (McKinsey, 2021). Some of these remote workers function independently as contractors or professionals,
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3. The Increase in Virtual Workers
while others are part of virtual teams.The COVID-19 pandemic has no doubt accelerated remote work arrangements and the use of virtual teams. Because of this, companies have further realized that making some (if not all) of their employees work remotely has benefits. Thus, many plan to
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3. The Increase in Virtual Workers
extend remote work setups even after the pandemic.Moreover, larger trends also drive the increase. These include the continued rise of ecommerce and the push for more AI and automation.
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4. Factors Fueling Remote Work Increase
If your company has not allowed remote work before, you might find it a bit odd why owners and managers would want their teams to work from anywhere they choose even before COVID-19 started to shake the world. Let these virtual team trends and numbers help you understand the ways to leverage it.
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4. Factors Fueling Remote Work Increase
Here are the top reasons why remote work continues to increase:– The ability to work from home attracts and retains people– Remote work can make your people happy– Remote work improves productivity– Virtual teams help companies and workers save money
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5. Executives Favoring Remote Work
Data shows it clear enough: remote work is indeed increasing. But did you know that executives and professionals are part of the growth as well? Current data shows that 78% of CEOs believe that remote collaboration will stay for the long term (PwC, 2020).
Moreover, even before the pandemic, it was found that
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5. Executives Favoring Remote Work
18% more executives work remotely than onsite. Furthermore, 70% of professionals all over the globe work remotely in one way or another. Over 60% work outside the office at least once a week, with more than half of them working remotely two to three times a week.
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6. Determinants of Remote Work
It’s normal to have some concerns as you think of ways to work remotely from home and transition to a virtual team.One of the questions you probably have in mind is whether remote work is recommended for your team in the first place. It’s quite easy to determine if your team can work from home. Simply answer these questions with a yes or no:
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6. Determinants of Remote Work
– Do you and your team sit down in front of a computer for most of the workday?– Do you rely on the Internet to accomplish tasks?– Do you use online or cloud tools?– Does your staff have a computer that they can use at home? If not, can you provide that for them?– Does your staff have a stable Internet connection at home? .
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6. Determinants of Remote Work
If not, can you provide that for them?Furthermore, if you belong to the technology, Internet, financial services, education, customer support, sales, marketing, and design industry or department, your team is a good telecommuting candidate
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7. Remote Work and Coworking Spaces
Virtual teams, in essence, can work anywhere they want. This is provided that these places offer them the amenities they need. In the coming years, we expect that virtual teams working remotely will not only station themselves in their homes but also in shared working environments like coworking places.
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8. Cybersecurity Is a Crucial Factor
With the prevalence of BYOD remote work setups, security is not standardized. And, working from the premise that it will be easier for hackers to hit an individual than a company, data will be easier to steal or manipulate, especially when virtual teams handle sensitive information.
Thus, creating better security protocols and providing virtual
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8. Cybersecurity Is a Crucial Factor
teams with security tools are very crucial moving forward. This is because, historically, the percentage of data breaches caused by hacking has been increasing.
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9. Virtual Water Coolers to Encourage Camaraderie
When you switch from being a colocated team to a virtual one, you can expect to handle some friction and challenges. When team members cannot see each other, the isolation may make some of them feel like they’re not part of the team.
If you are looking for ideas to maintain harmony between your virtual team, you can turn to digital collaboration tools.
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9. Virtual Water Coolers to Encourage Camaraderie
Consider the essentials apps for collaboration: communication, task management, time tracking, file sharing, and video conferencing. With these tools, you cannot only establish a shared workspace but also camaraderie when you set up non-work-related channels or meetings.
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10. Remote Workers Render Longer Hours
It is easier for remote workers to work beyond the usual 40 hours per week as they have more time to burn. Those who enjoy their jobs may willingly work extra hours while being productive the entire time.
However, some remote workers may find it a challenge to separate work from their personal life and responsibilities at home.
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10. Remote Workers Render Longer Hours
As a result, it takes them longer to finish tasks.If you want to help your virtual team ensure that every minute they spend on work is accounted for, consider utilizing time tracking software, such as Time Doctor or Hubstaff. Time trackers are among the remote work essentials that can help your team develop a
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10. Remote Workers Render Longer Hours
habit of making efficient use of their time. These tools also let you monitor and evaluate your distributed team’s productivity.
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11. Remote Work in the Real Estate Industry
People who are expecting to work at home in the foreseeable future (and to a good extent after the pandemic) now want extra rooms that can be fitted with office equipment. The multifamily homes sector will likely add home offices and even co-working spaces to their list of attractive amenities. Outdoor areas and good wifi
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11. Remote Work in the Real Estate Industry
connection will also be more popular among professionals.
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12. Virtual Team Trends Predictions: What Can We Expect Ahead?
As more companies are expected to adopt the virtual work culture, it’s easy to see the entire remote work industry entering a new era. The growth we’ve seen in the last decade may double, if not triple, drastically this year forward.
Furthermore, with online collaboration and cybersecurity taking the spotlight as more teams go virtual, there will
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12. Virtual Team Trends Predictions: What Can We Expect Ahead?
most likely be an increase in the demand for related tools and programs. We may begin to see new players in the field. Meanwhile, the veterans will likely move toward improving their products and services further. Both scenarios can benefit your team as long as you choose systems to use carefully.