More and more small businesses are embracing the potential of a virtual team – where some or all team members live and work remotely.

Virtual teams are an especially big draw for small businesses, as they both reduce the overhead costs associated with a traditional office and create a much larger pool of potential applicants. Additionally, remote working allows small businesses to offer the flexibility that many big firms may not.

Virtual teams can take many forms. Your team may live in the same geographic area yet work from home all or part of the time. In some cases there is no centralized office at all, with remote employees working, living and traveling around the globe while still carrying out their role.

Moving away from a traditional workplace model also means that traditional management advice and operational procedures may not apply. Managing virtual teams requires a specific set of tools, best practices and a laser focus on strong communication.