• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Big Ideas for Small Business logo

Barbara Weltman

Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc.

Whitepaper download

Subscribe and download our eBook, "150+ Tax Deductions for Small Business A to Z."

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Get the:

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Big Ideas For Your Business
    • Idea Of The Day ®
    • SMB Legal
    • SMB Taxes
    • SMB Financial
    • Small Business
    • Newsletter Archive
  • Services
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Radio Shows/Podcasts
  • Be a Guest Blogger

5 Simple Tips for Staying Connected with Coworkers and Associates

November 24, 2020 / By Barbara Weltman

“We don’t accomplish anything in this world alone…and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.”   ~ Supreme Court Justice (ret.) Sandra Day O’Connor

5 Simple Tips for Staying Connected with Coworkers and AssociatesStaying connected is vital for many reasons. Collaboration is a key underpinning of innovation. And connection is important for mental health. One of the biggest complaints from those who’ve been forced to work remotely because of the pandemic is the lack of connection with coworkers. They used to connect in person at the watercooler, now everything must be done virtually. Having worked from home for most of my career—first my law practice and then my business—I think I’m ‘kinda’ an  expert on how to connect with people who are far from you…distance wise. Here are some things I’ve learned about how to stay connected.

1. Reach out

Connections in an office happen automatically. You bump into people in the break room, you sit next to someone at a meeting, your desk is positioned near other workers. This proximity enables to you maintain social connections (How’s your child doing in school? Do you like your new neighborhood? How’s your mother feeling?).

When working from home, those automatic connections don’t exist. You have to make them happen. It takes effort and planning to connect with people, especially when they’re on different schedules or in different time zones. It’s up to you to arrange for times to connect on virtual platforms or by phone. Commit to maintaining not only the business connections, but also the social connections with coworkers and other business associates.

2. Communicate effectively

When you speak to someone in person, you have body language and other clues to help you understand what’s really being said. Virtually, it’s up to you to be sure you’re conveying your meaning and understand what’s being said to you. It’s up to you to say what you mean…very clearly. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re unclear about what you’re hearing.

3. Have an agenda in mind

The time you spend in a meeting—whether in person or virtually—is precious and should be used effectively. Know what you want to cover so that you don’t go off track. You can share a formal agenda with the person or persons you’re meeting with virtually (circulate it before the meeting starts) or have a checklist in front of you when you talk.

4. Handle background noise

Sure, there’s noise in an office…from the next cubicle, fire engines outside, and chatter all around. There are different noises at home…children, pets, other occupants, doorbells, phones. Plan to have a quiet place and time for virtual meetings or phone calls.

5. Practice good manners

In person meetings are helped along with visual clues from those who are present. A virtual meeting can easily fall apart when people talk over each other. Make sure that each participant gives everyone the courtesy of listening and speaking in turn. It’s up to the person hosting the meeting to ensure that this happens.

Final thought

Whether workers return to the workplace or remain in their homes after the pandemic subsides remains to be seen. Most experts suggest that remote working arrangements are here to stay for many of us. Be sure to master the new skills needed for successful communication from afar. CNET offers 15 video chat tips to help you improve your online communications.

Tags collaboration is a key communicate effectively communication from afar remote working staying connected with coworkers and associates virtual meetings

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • General Business (506)
  • Guest Blog (113)
  • Homepage (24)
  • Small Business (1,004)
  • SMB Financial (329)
  • SMB Legal (67)
  • SMB Taxes (326)

Barbara’s Recent Posts

  • What the U.S. Supreme Court Told Small Businesses in This Term: Part 1 July 3, 2025
  • Mid-Year Business Planning for 2025 July 1, 2025
  • 10 Ideas for Coping with Cash Flow Challenges June 26, 2025
  • 5 Insurance Traps to Avoid June 24, 2025
  • Creating a Feng Shui Office Layout for Your Business June 20, 2025
  • Scaling Your Business by Optimizing Social Media Marketing June 19, 2025
  • The Timeless Value of Business Cards in a Digital World June 18, 2025
  • What Does the Latest IRS Data Book Tell Us? June 17, 2025
  • Business Advice from Famous Dads June 12, 2025
  • How Important Is Higher Education for Small Business Owners June 11, 2025
  • Business Planning in a Period of Uncertainty June 10, 2025
  • 9 Smart Financial Decisions for Business Owners in Retirement June 6, 2025
Awarded Top 100 Small Business Blog medal (link will open in a new window or tab)
Marquis Who's Who 2023 Badge
Top Small Business Blogs (Link will open in a new window or tab.)
8 Financial blogs small business Owners Need to Read. Invoice home.  (link will open in a new window or tab)
Best Small Business Blog, Expertido.org
Top 50 Small Business Blogs 2018
Best Small Business Blogs
BizHumm Top 100 Business Blog Award to Barbara Weltman
FitsSmallBusiness.com: Award for Best Small Business Blog 2017 (link will open in a new window or tab)
FitsSmallBusiness.com: Award for Best Small Business Blog 2016 (link will open in a new window or tab)

Footer

Big Ideas for Small Business logo

Small business ideas, business tax news and small business consulting from Barbara Weltman to provide business owners with the information they need to succeed. Visit our small business blog, Idea of The Day®, small business books and articles on small business taxes, small business finance and small business legal advice.

Contact Us

[email protected]

(772) 492-9593

gacor maxwin situs slot thailand terpercaya situs slot gacor situs gacor akun pro thailand slot bandar togel terpercaya

Latest Tweets

bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
July 4

New Ecommerce Tools: July 3, 2025 https://bit.ly/3TTvrxh #ecommerce

Reply on Twitter 1941263347644498047 Retweet on Twitter 1941263347644498047 Like on Twitter 1941263347644498047 Twitter 1941263347644498047
bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
July 4

Tariffs Trigger the Sharpest Drop in Online Spending in Over a Decade https://bit.ly/44drREi

Reply on Twitter 1941227365117407242 Retweet on Twitter 1941227365117407242 Like on Twitter 1941227365117407242 Twitter 1941227365117407242
bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
July 4

Mid-Year Business Planning for 2025 -With uncertainty still high, what are your plans for the second half of the year? https://bit.ly/40zxs5s #smallbusiness #bizplanning #midyear

Reply on Twitter 1941166899481456820 Retweet on Twitter 1941166899481456820 Like on Twitter 1941166899481456820 Twitter 1941166899481456820
Load More

Copyright © 2008–2025 Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc  |  Designed by Hudson Fusion

  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap