Solo, with a Partner, or a Remote Team? (And How VAV Helps)

Starting a business? Are you going solo or with a partner? Oh, you don’t know yet.

Some prefer starting their entrepreneurial journey alone, while others thrive in the company of peers.

Usually, when we enter the workspace, we collaborate with others. Going at it by yourself can be daunting, since you may lack proficiency in certain aspects of a business. This prompts you to bring in people to do what you don’t do well.

But if the business idea is entirely yours, should you dive into a partnership? What's better, a sole trader or a partnership? And what if it's with a remote team? Ugh.

Don't worry... keep reading and clear away the fog of doubt.

Is It Better to Start a Business Solo or With a Partner?

So, it seems you are conflicted about running a business solo or with a partner. That’s a pretty normal feeling for any aspiring entrepreneur.

To shed some light on your current dilemma, we’re going to weigh the good and the bad of doing business by yourself or with someone.

Running a Business Solo

So, what’s a business run by a single person called? Solopreneurship is a lonely path to take, where every business decision rests upon your shoulders.

Pros:

Full control. You are the sole decision maker. You call all the shots and gain full control over where the business is heading with a focused approach.
Financial autonomy. You retain autonomy over your business finances. Instead of splitting profits, you keep them all and have complete say where to reinvest them as you see fit.
Agility. You can make quick decisions, allowing you to navigate your business efficiently, as you won’t need consensus from others. This makes you adaptable to market demands.
Simplicity. Since you won’t be managing a team, you can keep things simple and organized. You can streamline operations and avoid stressing about structuring operational systems.
Flexibility. You can run your own clock and choose to work as a digital nomad. This allows you to pursue other passions outside of your business.

Cons:

Limited skills. You may lack expertise and knowledge in certain areas of your business, such as digital marketing or accounting. This will negatively impact your productivity and efficiency in the workplace.
Heavy workload. You may feel overwhelmed, as you will be tackling all aspects of your administrative tasks and operations. Too much workload will keep you away from the most important functions in the organization.
Isolation. It breeds loneliness with zero social interactions or backing from a team. You end up doing a lot of work without forging connections.
Slower growth. Solely relying on your capacity, your business might experience growth slowdowns due to skill limitations and decision fatigue.

Running a Business with a Team

Faced with the horrors of being by yourself, you’d probably jump instantly into a partnership.

Yes, you don’t have to carry the weight of building a company alone. As the saying goes, “A burden shared is a burden halved.”

Pros:

Diverse skills. With a team, you’ll have broader access to expertise. You gain unique perspectives and extra knowledge to move your business forward.
Increased productivity. By sharing your workload, you can redirect your attention to working on the bigger picture. This way, you can achieve more with less.
Enhanced creativity. You’ll have a new set of eyes that will provide a different outlook, leading to greater innovation. Collaborating with someone can be a source of inspiration, opening new possibilities.
Shared workload. You can share your daily burdens, lifting the overwhelming weight off your shoulders. This will have a positive effect on your work-life balance, reducing stress and burnout.
Stronger morale. Running a business is made easy with a partner. Your business companions can ignite motivation and foster accountability.

Cons:

Complexity. Managing a team is complex, as you will need to ensure they’re effectively managed to achieve optimal performance.
Conflict. Disagreements are inevitable when views and opinions are different. A clash of ideas can sour the relationship and might cause unexpected problems.
Slower decisions. Since you will be sharing control with a partner, you will have to reach a consensus. Relinquishing control will create a decision-making lag.
Shared profits. Yes, you will be sharing profits with team members despite unequal effort put into the business.
Ambiguity. Without proper guidelines and structure, the roles and responsibilities can be unclear, reducing efficiency and heightening workplace tensions.

What Is a Remote Team in Business?

A remote team is a group of virtual professionals, referred to as virtual assistants, who work from anywhere to deliver business-related services.

To operate effectively, remote crews utilize various digital tools to communicate and collaborate in real time. They thrive in a flexible business environment and share common goals just like any traditional team.

Remote teams are increasingly in demand due to their immense flexibility, cost-effectiveness, greater productivity, creative impact and more.

How to Manage a Remote Team Effectively?

Have you tried taming a storm of independent minds? That’s what it’s like managing remote teams for the first time.

Oh, stop fretting; we’re here to help you get through the wrangling chaos. With the right strategies and tools, you’ll get your scattered team moving in one direction in no time.

So, how do you collaborate effectively with remote teams? Here’s a list of some of the proven strategies to keep your remote family together and productive.

Communication and Expectations

Team cohesion requires careful nurturing. It is based on trust, which needs time dedicated to establishing effective communication.

This basic act is the very backbone of any team, especially in remote settings, as it can be trickier without face-to-face interactions.

Check out a few hacks to overcome this challenge:

Set Clear Expectations. Be upfront with the responsibilities and deadlines with your remote team. Setting guidelines for response time, work hours and performance metrics ensures structure and consistency.

This is the very foundation of an effective team that doesn’t crumble under pressure, as members know what to do and what success looks like.
Communicate Intentionally. Communication makes or breaks your business. When team members communicate efficiently, collaboration is strengthened. This healthy team culture champions freedom to ask questions and address issues promptly.

Thus, we recommend leveraging different communication channels such as messaging or video conferencing. Use a communication method that works best for everyone for various types of discussions.
Hold Regular Check-Ins. Frequent one-on-one meetings spark better team synergy. These huddle sessions allow you to identify and fix any issues while maintaining strong engagement.

When your dispersed team is well informed, they have a better understanding of everyone’s duties and outputs.
Foster Transparency. Transparency is one of the most effective ways to instill trust with your online dream team. They feel included in the grander scheme of things rather than being left in the dark.

Openly share your company goals, progress and challenges, making it a habit to keep everyone on the same page. This step will empower your remote team to act and come up with innovative solutions.

Tools and Technology

Technology is your fuel to keep communication moving at a distance. Therefore, you must use the right tools to strengthen connections from anywhere and achieve remote work success.

Here are a few tips:

Invest in the Right Tools. Spotlight the best tech stacks of the 21st century. From Trello (project management) and Zoom (video conferencing) to Slack (direct messaging), remote team technology enhances collaboration and productivity.
Use Project Management Tools. Tools like Basecamp and Zoho keep your remote team informed and aligned regarding tasks and timelines. Leveraging them will help you execute projects effectively and not waste resources.

You can manage deadlines and track progress in real time, reducing confusion and fostering accountability.
Ensure Data Security. The risks of data breaches while using the internet are scarily high. Your remote team might be using an unprotected device while sharing information without the immediate support of an IT team. Gasps!

As such, it is extremely crucial to implement security measures and continuous monitoring to safeguard sensitive company data.

Culture and Connection

Virtual gatherings are difficult to plan, but certainly not elusive. Take the time to find your crew’s sweet spot and build a strong team culture.

Inclusivity, connection…these features are vital for a strong remote collaboration. According to Salesforce research on U.S. workers, team members are more driven at work when they feel valued and heard.

Here are some of the effective ways to do just that:

Build Trust. Work is a good mental workout, particularly when autonomy is granted. Allow your team to design their process and give them freedom to expand their duties.

Exerting too much control over your squad of virtual professionals is a workflow wrecker. Not having a say on their work crushes their developing innovative minds, which leaves them disengaged. By trusting, you are empowering them to reach full potential.
Organize Virtual Activities. Make time for virtual huddles where your remote team can casually chat and socialize. You can host trivia nights, scavenger hunts or costume parties to make things fun and interesting.

Choose the right activities that incorporate technology and interactivity to help your team adapt to remote work. These engaging experiences will build stronger team bonds and boost morale.
Promote Work-Life Balance. The lines between work and life blur easily in a remote work environment. Encourage your remote team to maintain boundaries that respect both personal and professional time. When balance is prioritized, morale and team productivity are at an all-time high.
Foster a Sense of Belonging. Make your remote professional feel like they’re part of the team. Have transparent dialogues, be open to ideas and reward efforts where they're due, promoting respect and understanding.

Bear in mind that a sense of belonging is a fundamental need that impacts behavioral outcomes and business results.

Performance and Growth

Supporting your remote team’s professional growth keeps them focused and motivated. Development opportunities will also help elevate skills and build confidence within your team, keeping them thriving.

Here are some strategies:

Focus on Output. Trust your team members to use their time wisely. They understand what matters, and thus, they know to prioritize meaningful work.

Don’t measure your remote assistants' effectiveness by how they spend their time. Rather, judge them by the quality of work they deliver, allowing them to experiment and not be micromanaged at every step.
Provide Feedback and Recognition. Share your thoughts with your virtual team by offering regular feedback. This way, you are opening opportunities for improvement and a clear path for growth. You can adjust your strategies to meet the needs of your team, promoting both organizational and personal development.

Beyond that, show genuine appreciation for their efforts. Reward their contributions with a simple card or bonuses, making them feel valued while also reinforcing your desired culture.
Invest in Training. Sharpen your virtual assistant’s skills with opportunities for professional development.

Change doesn’t stop. To build a solid remote team, keep them updated and engaged with high-quality training programs. It will also help the company meet its crucial objectives and stay competitive in the market.

Building a Strong Remote Team with VAV

Creating a solid remote team can be a massive undertaking. However, with the right partner, you can build a cohesive and productive unit of virtual warriors who can deliver your desired results.

Traditional hiring is sluggish and tiresome. From writing job posts to screening an avalanche of resumes, you will lose hours of your life—and for what? A bad hire.

Venturing into VA recruitment alone is a recipe for trouble. Most of the time, it results in expensive operational setbacks and rehiring. Ease your way through forming a remote workforce with our done-for-you VA service.

VAV is a leading recruiting expert, providing quality and reliable virtual assistant services. Our recruiting experts will match you with an assistant who can meet and adapt to your needs. We will help you build a remote team that operates efficiently despite time zone differences and distances.

Our virtual assistant services venture past the traditional route of just providing extra support to fill roles. We are proactively with you, managing the challenges of remote collaborations so you don’t derail from your goals. We take care of the intricate details of recruitment, before and after, ensuring a smooth start and ongoing success.

The VAV team has carefully crafted systems and top-of-the-line tools to bridge communication gaps and enhance collaboration. With our VA services, you can access resources and continuous support to operate at peak performance as you scale.

Remember, a remote team that isn’t fulfilling its purpose slams the brakes on your business growth.

What We Offer:

Immediate Availability. Your assistant is always a click away. Collaborate with them in real time whenever it suits you.
Savings on Hiring. No overheads—just big fat savings. Working with our virtual professionals means quality results that stay within your financial comfort zone.
Flexible Schedule and Payment Options. Your assistant runs to your clock. Receive the support you need the moment you need it.
Highly Qualified Staff. We only provide top-notch professionals, vetted and trained, to meet your evolving business needs and deliver measurable results.

Conclusion

In the end, you can find success in both ways, solo or with a partner. In the digital era, though, building a remote team is the most cost-effective and flexible way to achieve greater results.

You can work together with the best of global remote talent and make something big out of your limited resources.

With VAV, you can collaborate with a team of remote assistants without the complications of managing your partner on your own. We handle the intricate details of hiring and managing your VA team so you can focus on the important parts of your entrepreneurial journey.

Take your remote team management to the next level with us. Book a free consultation today!