5 Responses

1. Managing Virtual Teams
   Dear Buffy

   In 2003 I reviewed a very useful publication from Ken Blanchard, entitle The Virtual Teams Handbook.

   The Handbook is a monochrome 121 page spiral-bound manual in soft-back colour covers, offered complete with a CD-ROM. The first 55 pages describe key challenges faced by virtual teams and suggest some sensible best practice approaches to the management of these issues. Where appropriate, cues in the left hand margin prompt the reader to refer to one or more of 26 Virtual Teams Tools reproduced in print on pages 57 to 121 and also in MSWord/Adobe Acrobat format on the accompanying CD-ROM. The topics covered include:

   1 An overview of virtual teams and how they function

   2 The 3 key challenges faced by groups working virtually- trust, attentiveness and communication

   3 Guidelines for helping teams get off to the right start by following the chartering process

   4 Worksheets, forms and activities to assist in structuring, improving relationships and productivity

   5 Tips on troubleshooting common communication problems.

   For further information see:

   http://www.trainingfoundation.com/articles/default.asp?PageID=1164

   I hope this helps.

   Best wishes

2. Bite-sized module
   Hi Buffy, I can recommend an online tool called umbel (www.umbel.co.uk). It has a module called ‘How can I manage people remotely?’. It tells you what you need to know in a really easy to understand way.

3. What I say to my remote team member
   I am a Training Manager, and one of my team members works (very successfully) remotely from the rest of the team. I don’t have any material as such, but perhaps a comment that I have always used with her. I told her quite early on that I trust her until she gives me a reason not to. She is an adult, so is quite capable of managing her own time. If the team member is productive and conscientious (which mine is), then there should not be any problems.
   Anyway, there is my 2 cents worth. This may be useful when developing your workshop.

4. A website that may be helpful
   Hello

   I am just putting together a workshop on virtual working and have found a number of articles on the website http://www.knowab.co.uk very interesting and helpful.

   Happy browsing.

   Anna
   (anna@elancoaching.co.uk)

5. Articles, Books and A Survey
   Personnel Today (15 March 2005) have an article on ‘How To Successfully Manage Remote Teams’ by Scott Beagrie.

   The article refers to free online report called Survey ‘PK500 Remote and International Team Working’ July 2005 which is interesting as background information.

   A couple of books I have used and would recommend are (1) Virtual Leadership by Jacklyn Kostner and (2)The Distance Manager by K Fisher and M Fisher.

   Regards. Shirley