Capterra released the results of a two-part study, which delves into challenges faced by hybrid and remote employees who collaborate virtually with colleagues, some of whom are located abroad. As virtual teams become commonplace, well-defined meeting strategies are needed to maintain effective relationships across borders. With businesses anticipating growth in international collaborations, the survey underscores the importance for organizations to adapt to evolving trends and establish collaboration norms. In this survey spanning 13 countries, Canada emerged as a leader in adopting mostly virtual meeting policies, with 45% of respondents indicating a preference for virtual meetings. The survey sheds light on the popularity of virtual meetings and the factors contributing to their success. In the second part of the study, the large majority of Canadian remote and hybrid employees affirm the efficacy of their workplace collaboration tools. The survey highlights the need to address the remaining 13% and optimize digital workspaces for heightened teamwork.

As employees collaborate more frequently with international colleagues, the likelihood of having a manager located abroad increases. To foster successful virtual connections, it is essential for team leaders to establish reliable schedules and leverage the right communication tools. The survey indicates that 38% of respondents foresee an increase in cross-country collaboration within the next year. With 83% of business leaders predicting growth in the following year, including potential global expansion, it becomes crucial to adapt to evolving trends in international teamwork. The top-cited benefit of participating in global teams is the flexible work environment, as reported by 33% of survey-takers. Other benefits include gaining an understanding of different work cultures (32%), fostering creativity and innovation (31%), gaining new perspectives for problem-solving (30%), and experiencing a technology-enabled workplace (30%). Despite the challenges of volatile work hours, language barriers, and cultural differences, 85% of surveyed employees view cultural differences as learning opportunities, which is promising for the future of diverse teams.