Most of us have been trained to think of coworkers and colleagues as being those individual who work on the other side of the cubicle wall from us or in the next department. As home business owners, we may work with people that we never actually meet; people we interact with via e-mail, phone or internet. Living in a world with “virtual” colleagues and coworkers can take some getting used to.
It helps me to think of “virtual” coworkers, colleagues, and clients as if they were individuals I actually see every day. The fact is, they are real people with real lives, concerns, and interests just as those who might sit in the next cubicle are. It is not as if they are fantasies or created somewhere out there in cyber space. They have children who get sick and they need to take vacations just like anyone else.
The great thing about those whom you might work with via phone, internet or other virtual means is that you can each connect with each other on your own time. This can create some lapses and some misunderstandings, however, so you may need to set some parameters early on to make sure that you can communicate well with each other. After all, you cannot simply walk down the hall into the next office and clear things up. Set clear expectations for your working relationships and be respectful about sticking to it. Not returning calls or e-mails, refusing to do your part on deadline and other mishaps can create big problems if you are working across the airwaves with someone you will not actually see in person.
Additionally, keep accurate information on those you work with this way—current e-mails, phone numbers, working hours, etc. Make sure to share yours as well if there should be any changes or updates. This will also help you to have an efficient and collaborative working relationship.