Manager's Guide to Virtual Teams

by Fisher, Kimball; Fisher, Mareen

• ISBN13: 9780071754934
• ISBN10: 0071754938
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-05-17
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education

Summary

Get solid collaboration fromteam members in remote locations Globalization and new technologies have made team collaboration from distant geographical locationson the road, from home or client sites, even on the other side of the globea routine part ofbusiness. Managing these teams requires new skills and sensitivities to maximize team and organizationalperformance. Emphasizing pragmatism over theory and offering helpful tips instead of vague observations, Manager'sGuide to Virtual Teamshelps you bridge the communication gaps created by geographical separationand get peak performance from employees you rarely see. You will learn how to: Keep team members in remote locations motivated and involved Coach for peak performance via e-mail, telephone, teleconference, and videoconference Help widely scattered team members understand their contribution to the business Build consensus for decisions among virtual team members Learn effective communication and feedback techniques for enhancing team performance Briefcase Books, written specifically for today's busy manager, feature eye-catching icons, checklists,and sidebars to guide managers step by step through everyday workplace situations. Look for theseinnovative features to help you navigate each page: Clear definitions of key terms and concepts Tactics and strategies for managing virtual teams Tricks of the trade for executing effective management techniques Practical advice for minimizing the possibility of error Warning signs for when things are about to go wrong Examples of successful virtual managing Specific planning procedures, tactics, and hands-on techniques

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
What Is a Virtual Team?	p. 1
The Challenges of Working with Virtual Teams	p. 3
Why Are Virtual Teams Becoming So Common?	p. 4
Defining Virtual Teams	p. 5
What's in This Book?	p. 6
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 1	p. 7
Managing Space, Time, and Culture	p. 9
The Three Key Variables Affecting Virtual Teams	p. 9
What Besides Geography Causes Cultural Distance?	p. 11
Use Whatever Advantages You Have	p. 13
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 2	p. 16
The Seven Competencies of Effective Virtual Team Leaders	p. 19
Key Competencies of Virtual Team Leaders	p. 20
Distance Manager Effectiveness Assessment	p. 29
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 3	p. 32
What Virtual Team Employees Need from Their Manager	p. 35
How Do You Control Distance Workers?	p. 36
What Do Virtual Team Members Need from Their Leaders?	p. 37
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 4	p. 45
Bridging Cultural Differences	p. 47
How Do Cultures Differ?	p. 50
Dealing with Different Country-of-Origin Cultures	p. 55
Cultural Self-Awareness Assessment	p. 58
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 5	p. 59
Starting Up (or Refocusing) a Virtual Team	p. 61
Selecting Virtual Team Members	p. 62
Orientation for New Virtual Team Members	p. 65
Creating a Team Charter	p. 66
Practical Tips for Chartering	p. 68
Role Clarification	p. 69
Operating Guidelines	p. 71
Technology-Use Protocols	p. 73
Setting Technology Protocols	p. 75
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 6	p. 76
Building Trust from a Distance	p. 79
The Problematic E-Mail	p. 80
Tips for Developing Trust	p. 81
How Overcoming Isolation in Virutal Teams Builds Trust	p. 84
Celebrating from a Distance	p. 86
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 7	p. 88
Using Telephonic Collaboration Technologies	p. 91
Mini-Case Study: A Day in the Life of a Virtual Team Leader	p. 91
Using Communication Technologies Effectively	p. 93
Effective Phone Use	p. 94
Telephone Tips	p. 94
Effective Teleconferencing	p. 97
Tips for Effective Teleconferences	p. 97
Instant Messaging	p. 100
Videophones	p. 100
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 8	p. 101
Using Videoconferencing and Internet-Based Collaboration Tools	p. 103
Videoconferencing	p. 103
Using E-Mail-Without Letting It Take Over Your Life	p. 106
Web Conferencing	p. 109
Using Whiteboards	p. 111
Social Networking	p. 111
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 9	p. 113
Improving the Business IQ of Team Members	p. 115
Understanding Your Business	p. 116
Basic Economics	p. 116
Understanding Customer Expectations	p. 118
Working with Business Partners	p. 122
Improving the Value Chain	p. 124
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 10	p. 126
Teaching Finance Fundamentals to Virtual Teams	p. 129
Budgets	p. 130
Calculating a Cost/Benefit Analysis	p. 130
Understanding Profit	p. 132
Reading Income Statements	p. 133
Financial Terms and Concepts	p. 133
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 11	p. 138
Improving Communication and Feedback Skills	p. 141
The Communication Process	p. 141
Empathic Listening	p. 143
Giving Feedback	p. 145
Receiving Feedback	p. 150
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 12	p. 151
Creative Problem Solving for Virtual Teams	p. 153
Six-Step Problem-Solving Process	p. 154
Problem-Solving Tools	p. 159
Creativity Tools	p. 165
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 13	p. 171
Managing Performance from a Distance	p. 173
Performance Management Basics	p. 174
Goal Setting and Accountability Systems	p. 176
Mini-Case: Lars and the Disconnected Team Members	p. 176
Six-Step Goal-Setting Process	p. 177
Individual Development Plans	p. 179
Socratic Coaching	p. 180
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 14	p. 183
Effective Decision Making over Distance	p. 185
Decision-Making Challenges	p. 185
Common Decision-Making Methods	p. 186
Why Virtual Teams Usually Use Consensus	p. 187
Reaching Consensus as a Virtual Team	p. 188
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 15	p. 193
Virtual Team Building	p. 195
Two Types of Team Building	p. 195
Assessing Virtual Team Effectiveness	p. 196
Road-Tested Team-Building Examples	p. 199
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 16	p. 203
Maintaining a Balanced Personal and Work Life	p. 205
The Work and Home Life Balance Problem	p. 205
A Brief History of Organizational Design	p. 207
The Technology Tether	p. 209
The Personal System	p. 209
Tips for Working at Home	p. 212
Manager's Checklist for Chapter 17	p. 213
Index	p. 215
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