Introduction
Virtual Teams are drawn from individuals who may well meet only rarely, often for the lifetime of a project but they sometimes operate as a Reomote organisational team. They are geographically (sometimes, globally) scattered and communication is by e-mail, telephone, tele- and video-conferencing.
Virtual Teams demonstrate a clear forward direction in the way businesses operate now, so it is of paramount importance to developing an understanding of the dynamics of people who are teamworking in this still relatively unexplored virtual context. We no longer have the luxury of getting to know our colleagues gradually as time ticks by, nor the opportunity to build rapport, trust and mutual respect in a whole series of face to face meetings.
We do not have the time to “slow grow” our relationships; we need to plant them ready flowering.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this programme, participants will be able to:
Define what Virtual Teamworking means in the context of their own organisation, work and goals
Clarify the essential components of effective Virtual Teamworking – clear outcomes, schedules, relationships, processes, commitment and motivation
Assess their own strengths (combined and individual) as a Virtual Team
inpoint where they are vulnerable (S.W.O.T.)
Use a range of tools and techniques to help them plan, communicate, influence, negotiate and resolve conflict in the “virtual” context
Programme Content This programme defines the key differences between Virtual/Remote teamworking and traditional teamworking and the resulting implications and the challenges. Emphasis is placed on the importance of face to face communication in the early stages of the team development and at certain intervals in the team development in order to establish sound relationships and effective performance. Finally the programme covers the technicalities and challenges around the effective use of remote communication channels.
