The Pros & Cons of Virtual, In-Person or Hybrid Working in 2023
With the onset of the pandemic, many businesses had to learn to work remotely, as opposed to in traditional office environments. Businesses had to find a way to move forward in a new way and adapt to new technologies quickly; as well as safeguard their employee and client information. Many companies needed IT support and consulting services to make the transition, and for ongoing operations.
The convenience and reliability of virtual business solutions have resulted in many organizations moving their operations completely online; or utilizing a hybrid system wherein operations are both in-person and online. Many companies have made the decision as to whether they will remain remote, return to in-person work, or utilize a hybrid model moving forward. Some, however, have yet to determine how their employees and company will be working. As an experienced IT consulting and service company in the Los Angeles area, Strikeworks Solutions knows the advantages and disadvantages of virtual and in-person teams, which we discuss in the following paragraphs.
A virtual team includes employees working remotely across different locations, possibly in different countries and time zones. Companies suited to virtual teams include accounting, finance, IT, and software development business, to name a few. Those not particularly suited to virtual teams include testing and manufacturing companies, as well as those that do manual work, such as construction.
The advantages of working remotely include savings on rent, utilities, furniture, and office technology, pass through expenses on leases, cleaning services, and more. If your team works remotely, you don’t need to provide personal protection equipment, make your office safe for returning employees, or provide sanitation supplies to comply with pandemic related workplace requirements.
Employees feel more productive working from home, with over half of executives feeling the same way. There are no co-worker interruptions, in-person meetings, mandatory breaks, or other distractions. Flexible work schedules allow employees to take time for personal tasks or appointments without taking a day off. Employees report a better work-life balance, correlating to better productivity and improved employee retention.
A virtual team can access talent from a wider pool of candidates. Global hiring can save labor costs, or companies can hire freelance businesses and individuals. Collaboration and teamwork across time zones can enable you to expand your business hours, cater to more clients, and bring products to market faster. The reduced carbon footprint and overhead also help with higher employee satisfaction.
Disadvantages of virtual teams include a potential for lack of trust when employees are not directly supervised. Team collaboration and communication may be negatively impacted with virtual communication easily misinterpreted and participation in collaborative workspaces sometimes difficult to coordinate. Remote workers can suffer from social isolation, and companies may have to provide employees with software apps, tools, and technology education.
It can be more difficult to track progress with a virtual team, and there are potential security risks. The disadvantages and risks of virtual teams can be mitigated, helping your company reach new heights.
Our team at Strikeworks Solutions contributes a broad, specialized wealth of knowledge in information technology. Our services include assistance with IT consulting and service management, cloud computing resources, cybersecurity and infrastructure security, project management and much more in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. We provide a comprehensive platform to keep your operations running at peak performance and accelerate growth. If you are in need of IT support for in-person, remote, or hybrid businesses, reach out to us for more information!