Digital dynamics of a distributed team: The benefits and challenges

by Startacus Admin
Managing a distributed team? Nick Nooren, Head of Proteus Marketplace shares his insights on how tech can be used to enhance the benefits and mitigate the challenges when you're doing just that.
The past year has taught us that companies can maximise the benefits of remote, hybrid and office work if they have the right digital capabilities.
Moving away from the cultural tradition of the physical office to meet the shift brought on by the global pandemic, has required connectivity to be augmented through greater adoption of modern technology.
Navigating the dynamic of a distributed team has not been smooth sailing. Waves of disruption have made engagement and management of the remote office an immense challenge to overcome. As we look at what the office of tomorrow looks like, companies must look at their structures and focus on how benefits are enhanced and challenges mitigated.
Global opportunity with remote work
Arguably, one of the significant benefits of working remotely is the autonomy to manage time in a way that suits. Frequent physical meetings and travelling take away valuable time to concentrate and complete the task ahead.
Additionally, access to the right talent also widens. Offices are no longer confined by locality. Talent attraction broadens from the expertise of professionals across the country and even the globe. For roles that are specialist and need niche experience, the world is your oyster.
We already see many examples where companies reduce office space to have more investment available for their talent, technology and operations. The benefits are significant for employees too.
Keeping teams engaged
The ideal scenario would be to establish remote work policies to support the dispersion of employers and employees. However, for many companies, the pandemic did not afford this luxury.
As we know, communication is paramount. Remaining collaborative without physical interaction can get complicated when the necessary cultural mindset is not in place. Not to mention keeping up conversations when coordinating teams, tracking progress or managing workload. Getting the balance right to block time out for team meetings in calendars is fundamental. And ensuring time during these meetings gets used most effectively.
Brainstorming and creative problem-solving can become stagnant without the benefit of bouncing ideas off one another and gaining inspiration from colleagues in the office. Remote work can be demanding on the individual. Job performance may decline due to the lack of face to face interaction and greater inefficiency challenges depending on home set-ups. Revisiting your technology stack is key to ensuring team collaboration is supported.
Technology solutions
Collaboration channels can both remove creative barriers and schedule virtual coffee chats to mimic the across desk catchups.
Cloud-based work management software can connect distributed teams and offer oversight on progress. Delivering tomorrow's office as a hybrid hub, open to flexibility, will maximise the benefits of remote work and maintain the necessary collaborative human interactions. Other technological capabilities such as AI and machine learning can recognise and take on menial and tedious tasks. Refocusing efforts in the business that need immediate human attention will drive benefits across business operations and efficiencies within teams.
Digital delivering for teams
Remote, hybrid and office work all have their benefits and challenges. We have seen a seismic shift in working cultures, bringing to light a much more flexible approach to the office.
It is fundamental companies look at their operations as we settle into employment in a new working world. An attractive environment without frustrating processes and slow decision making will drive employee retention in the long term.
The global pandemic has dispersed teams yet driven connectivity as companies have had to get creative to manage and engage their teams. Embracing the capability of technology and putting digital at the forefront of strategies will support constant and open two-way communication as we navigate new ways of working.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nick Nooren is Head of Proteus Marketplace developed by Xergy. Based in the Netherlands after having lived more than 12 years in the Middle East and Asia, Nick has over 25 years’ experience of working with engineering solutions and enjoys the challenge of managing dynamic and cross-cultural businesses.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Got a business in the manufacturing sector? These tips on how you can reduce energy costs while being more sustainable are well worth a read...

Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs.

Nassia Skoulikariti, Director of IoT Programmes, Mobile Ecosystem Forum shares some insights on how IoT is having a significant impact on all our lives.

Roger James Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Genius Group, a world-leading entrepreneur Edtech and education group, discusses how introducing a globalized curriculum will help better prepare students.

SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis.

41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms.

Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community.

Thingtrax Secures £4.3M to Empower Manufacturers to Build the Factories of the Future

A measure of inflation relief for small firms sees transport costs fall but service price increases remain elevated

Bedfordshire-based HR tech startup HR DataHub has built a range of tools for HR departments
Published on: 15th July 2021
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- SureIn Secures €4M to Close the SMB Insurance Gap 15th Aug 2023 Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs.
- SuperFi raises $1M pre-seed funding round 28th Jul 2023 SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis.
- Startups rely on AI & sustainability for new partnerships 27th Jul 2023 41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms.
- Another Round closes £300k Seed round to revolutionise personal training 21st Jul 2023 Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community.