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Remember Second Life?
Do you?
Dang, feel old already?
The game, which launched nearly 20 years ago, allowed you to play out your wildest fantasies online. You could buy virtual real estate or build a company that sells digital items.
Many considered the game an early version of the Metaverse. But the concept of the Metaverse has been around long before Second Life.
Now, thanks to the backing from tech giants like Microsoft and Facebook, people have started paying attention to it.
The Metaverse may enter our lives sooner than many think. In some ways, it already has.
Metaverse in the Office: The Next Step in Remote Work
In fiction, Metaverse is an immersive 3D virtual world that can be accessed through VR goggles. Think Oculus Rift. The Metaverse conglomerates various tech elements to create a world in which users can play, purchase and own virtual possessions, and, of course, work.
Basically, it's a world in which digital interactions are all becoming part of one big virtual online game.
Some see the Metaverse as the next chapter in tech development, while others are concerned about its impact on our lives. All of these elements are already making their way into our day-to-day.
Within the next decade, tech companies think that technology will evolve in the following ways:
- Virtual Headquarters: Virtual offices where team members can go to perform many of the interactions that previously were only possible in the physical office (e.g., 1 on 1s, quick catch-ups, coworking)
- Enhanced Collaboration: Meetings in VR spaces can help teams, team leaders, and clients collaborate on projects from anywhere in the world in a way that may be more convenient and even not even possible in the physical world.
- Richer Interactions: 2D meetings with a lack of depth & presence will be replaced by headsets that can help team members interact with each other in more in a more immersive way (we already have platforms like Immersed or Horizons Workrooms)
Yes. Your office can soon be replaced by a virtual platform.
Can Remote Work Challenges Be Addressed By the Metaverse?
Most teams today are remote. A lot of them are global. While this brings diversity, better expertise, and success, it comes with certain challenges.
Teams are struggling to stay connected. In fact, a recent HBR report showed that 75% of cross-functional teams are failing to meet their objectives due to troubles with communications & virtual isolation.
Yes, isolation is still the biggest issue in the modern, remote-work world.
While some use phrases "isolation" and "loneliness" interchangeably, we shouldn't confuse the two here. You see, loneliness is an emotional state, while isolation is the lack of access to things you need to get the task done.
Basically, it means you have a task, you don't know how to get it done, and you don't know who can help you do it. You're isolated from the rest of the team, and you're left to fail all on your own.
How can we combat this? Enter the Metaverse.
In the Metaverse, we have the potential to address both loneliness and isolation with rich collaborative experiences.
For example, imagine you're in a virtual office with your team. You can see them, they can see you, and you can all easily interact. That would help solve the communication issues that often plague teams.
Why is Cross-team Collaboration so Important?
A modern company has many teams. You have your designers, developers, salespeople, and marketers, among others. For your company to succeed, these teams need to work together.
That's what's called cross-team collaboration, of course.
There are many benefits of cross-team collaboration, including:
- Innovation and creativity (when teams bounce ideas off one another, the more creative they become)
- Faster progress (teams have the same vision and can work toward the same goal)
- More engagement (collaboration creates great working relationships and makes for happier team members)
It's often difficult to achieve, especially with remote teams. But it's essential for success.
Needless to say, the Metaverse can help with that.
In the Metaverse, we can have rich interactions that help us understand each other better. We can see each other, talk to each other, and collaborate in ways that wouldn't be possible in the physical world.
Challenges in the Metaverse Before Cross-Function Team Collaboration is Fixed
Yes, we're still far from spending full days working the Metaverse. Certain issues still need to be addressed, sure.
But that doesn't mean that the Metaverse can't help us.
So let’s look at a few ways to improve cross-team collaboration in the Metaverse.
1. Use a Centralized Communication Channel
Virtual meeting space is a great way to hold group discussions and meetings with your team. You can also use it as a place to brainstorm and communicate with each other on a richer level than video conferences.
The best part about using the same meeting space for all of these activities is that you don't need to worry about switching between different tools or apps.
A platform like Kosy allows for everything to be done from within the same room, so coordination and collaboration become a lot easier. And when you add in the ability to visit anyone's personal space whenever you want, it becomes even better!
2. Have a Team Charter on Display
When business is booming, people tend to become careless and projects more complex. Tackling project visibility and understanding the split of responsibilities among teams early can help everyone down the line.
You can use a virtual noticeboard to keep everyone informed about the latest changes in your company. That creates awareness regarding what different teams are working on, where they're heading, and what goals they have to achieve.
By putting important information up for everyone to see, team members can check out their peers' progress and communicate whenever they need to.
3. Check-In On Team Members Often and Create Shared Context
This one's much easier said than done, especially if your team is huge. But there are ways to keep track of the activities within teams.
For small teams, it might be enough to have a visible whiteboard in the meeting room where everyone can post updates whenever they're available. You need a digital communication platform for larger groups that allows you to track team members’ progress and communicate with them whenever you need.
Sure, a tool like this will take time away from work. But the benefits of better understanding & visibility will outweigh the time spent.
Refining Remote Work in the Metaverse
It’s difficult to say when the Metaverse will become the norm. Some think that we're decades away from it. Others think years.
Nonetheless, one thing is certain: people are becoming more and more open to the idea of the Metaverse. The original creator of Second Life is certainly is. He did, in fact, come back to advise the company and help them move forward.
Do you want to get a sample of the overall Metaverse experience? Then you need to check out Kosy Office.
Our platform will not only improve cross-team collaboration but boost your overall productivity by making teammates more engaged. Give us and the Metaverse a try.
