As I delve into the Virtual business world, it is obvious that the number of people working virtually continues to rise each year. This is good news.  Mindtools just listed interesting statistics on their newslettter:

• The Telework Research Network states that there are currently 2.9 million full-time virtual workers in the U.S. This is a 61 percent increase since 2005.
• One survey found that 44 percent of U.S. companies plan to increase their virtual workforce in the coming years.
• A study conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management reports that 37 percent of organizations have experienced an increase in the number of requests for “flexible work arrangements.”
• Statistical Indicators Benchmarking the Information Society (SIBIS) found that 13 percent of the total population of the EU can be classified as virtual workers.
• Alongside Germany, the U.K. leads the EU in the number of virtual workers. The BBC estimates that 1.3 million U.K. people work virtually full time, and that 3.7 million people do so part time.

See more at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/working-virtual-team.htm#np

A study conducted by The Academy of Management Executive on Lessons from Sabre Inc.  discusses 5 valid challenges of virtual staffing.  All of these issues can be overcome by forward-thinking managers.

1. Building Trust Within Virtual Teams
2. Maximizing Process Gains and Minimizing Process Losses on Virtual Teams
3. Overcoming Feelings of Isolation and Detachment Associated With Virtual Teamwork
4. Balancing Technical and Interpersonal Skills Among Virtual Team Members
5. Assessment and Recognition of Virtual Team Performance

Personally, I like to use Skype and other tools that allow collaboration and visual contact rather than relying solely on email. Face-to-face meetings also help build relationships if possible.  One thing is true, it is hard to go back to an office cubicle after experiencing the possibilities of the virtual world.