From the “Employment Law Handbook” come the following seven useful steps to take in order to ensure the effectiveness and overcome potential problems in remote group communications:
Set communication guidelines / decisions needed: size of team, frequency of communication needed, time zones involved
Choose the right communication tools / types needed: IM, chat, email, teleconference, etc.
Schedule regular check-ins: based on team needs; have agenda for each
Encourage virtual team-building/ideas: online games, virtual tours, creative challenges
Establish healthy boundaries to avoid burnout: help with setting personal & team limits/ schedules/boundaries, ensure availability of assistance, encourage video contact
Provide technical support: company-sponsored, remotely available; backup channel
Give feedback to your employees: “Praise in public, criticize in private!” Call out good team member contributions, create environment enabling people to request assistance without being criticized or humiliated.