Virtual companies are popping up everywhere these days. Just as a brick-and-mortar business, it is important to find the right staff and keep them productive and happy to ensure success. Communication, organization and human resource skills are key to managing worldwide employees and can be easily accomplished with online tools and some imagination.
Finding Freelancers
It is reported that by 2028 over 90 million Americans will be a freelancer. Finding talent that suits your business needs can be accomplished through online job boards. Guru.com is one example that allows you to find capable contractors in various countries. For example, if you wanted to hire someone from the Philippines, you can go to https://www.guru.com/d/freelancers/ and enter ‘Philippines’ for the location. You are also able to filter all-time earnings and the number of employers to allow you to sort through various candidates.
The Fiverr job platform is another resource. Here, you are able to sort prospects based on services. If you are looking for a ghostwriter, type that in, and ghostwriters from all over the world will appear. You can sort through rates, job experience, and view portfolio samples and past clients’ reviews and ratings.
Communicating and Organizing
Virtual companies can have successful communication just as brick and mortars that utilize face-to-face meetings. Consider a streamlined communication system like Slack, Zula, or eZTalks Cloud Meeting. Depending on your business needs these platforms can offer integration with other tools and apps to make file sharing and video conferencing easy regardless of location. Using online meetings effectively is important in keeping colleagues involved and productive.
Efficiently handling documents can be accomplished by utilizing a PDF merging tool. This will keep documents all in one file and in one format when multiple people are working together on a project. It saves time in searching for documents, and once all PDF files are combined, you can move PDF pages to get your content in the desired order.
Paying Freelancers
When hiring internationally, remember that wire transfers can be costly to your bottom line. Consider using a low-fee money transfer service like Remitly where you can deposit money directly to the contractor’s bank account. Keeping with the Philippine example, you have the choice of sending payment within minutes using the express option or having the money transferred within three to five business days using the economy option which provides a better transfer rate. If you are sending over $1,001, there are no fees regardless of how you send it.
Keeping Staff Happy
All work and no play makes anybody a grump. Keep your people socially active and involved with their co-workers. Hold contests, enlist social conversation through Yammer, hold monthly luncheons and recognize staff for extra efforts. You can send electronic gift cards for birthdays, holidays, and special thank yous. Consider setting back funds to hold an annual centralized retreat so your staff can personally meet and work together face-to-face.
A monthly newsletter can be a fun tool to keep everyone engaged and current on various departments. Have staff participate in articles to maintain a sense of belonging.
You can run a successful online business with the right tools. Finding the right freelancers that fit your company, maintaining professional and efficient communication, and using your imagination to engage and recognize your staff will produce a successful worldwide virtual company.
For more marketing, business, and career-related content, visit Mike McRitchie’s blog.
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