Managing Virtual Teams

Overview

One of the biggest challenges facing managers currently is how to successfully manage a team that is geographically disperse and primarily meets virtually – via web cast or conference call. Many managers have difficulty because they cannot see what their employees are doing. Even the most skilled managers find communication and building a team, when there is not physical proximity. In this class, participants will learn practical, easy to implement solutions to creating a high performance virtual team.

With globalization a reality, this will become an even more common team dynamic. Mastering the art of managing virtual teams will increase your team’s productivity. It is even an opportunity to increase the freedom and flexibility of a team that works in the same office!

The Problem

• Managers unclear on the key concepts to successfully managing a virtual team
• Virtual teams being unproductive, with a higher than usual turnover rate
• Friction within the team or between teams
• Frequent miscommunication or non-communication between team members causing unnecessary stress and re-work
• Poor relations on the team

Our Solution
To Learn...

• What are the 6 fundamentals to successfully managing a virtual team are?
• What the keys are to communicating virtually.
• How to build trust on a virtual team.
• How to motivate and recognize employees on a virtual team.
• How to create an action plan to put the virtual team management fundamentals into practice.

Course Outline

• Discussion – What is a virtual team? Why are they critical?
• Statistics and trends on virtual teams
• Virtual teams - Cases or great success and great failure
• Build a Strong Team, Starting with You
• Gather the Right People
• Put Technology to Work
• Master the Art of Communication
• Build a Sense of “We”
• Manage by Results
• Building a practical for your virtual team