Yael Zofi's Blog, page 14

Mastermind on Virtual Teams

This week AIM Strategies® hosted a Mastermind Brainstorming session with experienced colleagues to share ideas about meeting the challenges of managing virtual teams. There as unanimous interest to further explore human connection topics I wrote about in A Manager's Guide to Virtual Teams and figure how to better leverage these concepts going forward. Cross cultural communication was the big issue of the day, and several participants would like to see more coaching to support people who work together across continents.

 

While we didn't figure out the priorities to take this forward, I can definitely say that we exercised our brains and engaged our time together in constructive discussion about something of great interest to all.

 

For those of you following my blog posts, I pose this question: What additional cross cultural challenges do you encounter in your virtual teams?

 

Feel free to share and continue the dialogue/conversation.



 

 

Yael Zofi speaking at ASTD TechKnowledge 2012

I'd like to share some exciting news.  This Friday, January 27th, I am speaking at ASTD's TechKnowledge™ 2012 conference in Las Vegas. Over 1,200 professionals are expected to attend 140 sessions which focus on some aspect of the design, delivery, management and strategy of technology and learning.

 

My "Implementation Strategy" session, called "A Manager's Guide to Virtual Teams: Bringing Reality to Your VT" will run from 9:45 am – 11:15 am PST (12:45 pm – 2:15 pm EST).  Here's what my session will cover: Participants will learn how to apply the four key elements of successful virtual team performance to their own virtual teams. I'll address relationship challenges in the virtual environment (including Context Communication), how to engage 'lost riders' and 'silent riders' and provide guidance on how to develop an action plan to achieve that 'people connection' so vital to virtual team success.

 

You can connect with me about this conference in the comments section below the post or directly on ASTD TechKnowledge blog, where you can find my recent Q&A with Justin Brusino.

 

 

ASTD 2012 TechKnowledge Twitter Chatter: #ASTDTK12

High Performing Virtual Teams Slide: http://t.co/s0oqH4BG http://t.co/NSTjQI2X

— Yael Zofi (@yaelzofi) March 8, 2012

 

2011 Year-End Review: Our Developing Virtual World

Researched by Karina Koloch, Posted by AIM Strategies®

[image error]Before we fully enter 2012, let's reflect on the previous year's events and share a few thoughts and resources that demonstrate how the virtual world has evolved. The past year continued to gain momentum on bridging the human connection in the virtual world. Virtual team arrangements continued to rise as more people work on virtual projects, attend virtual classes, learn in virtual settings, meet in virtual rooms and collaborate on a daily basis with their virtual teammates.

 

Some facts that illustrate how our evolving virtual world gained new perspectives in 2011:

Sharp increase in remote work was reported by Forrester Research, noting that 62% of information workers in North America and Europe now work remotely. Harvard Business research also indicates that 40% percent of IBM's 400,000 global employees work remotely.
Survey of Senior Leaders and Hiring Mangers of Fortune-500 Companies reports on Virtual Work Environments in the Post-Recession Era.
Online talent outsourcing platforms, such as Elance, have grown dramatically, with Global wages set to surpass $500 Million. Despite a stagnant employment market, online hiring went up 120%. There was also an increase in people pursuing independent careers and using online platforms to reinvent their professions.
Online freelancers made million dollar revenues by working solely on virtual projects. Amazon business bookshelves continue add advice on how to "Get Rich Click", and make profits by running virtual and home based businesses.
We lost one of the most important innovator, Steve Jobs, who helped create the world's first personal computers, opened the gates of mobile virtual worlds and inspired millions of creative people and entrepreneurs to live their passions.
Virtually outsourced projects and social media platforms are continuing to expand and make local changes, organize events, sell products & services, and build project platforms.
Technology continues to provide online communication tools for virtual teams, and the numbers of web conferencing, web collaboration and web projects are growing rapidly.
We witnessed millions of people gathering globally to protest their freedom in places such as Egypt, Libya, Spain; social community digital platforms quickly evolved in real-time on Twitter and Facebook to raise awareness and provide up-to-date information. For further data about how digital media is changing society and culture through a rapidly growing virtual medium via digital activism, see PBS Mediashift series The Guide to the Digital Media Revolution.

 

These trends are consistent with my research and consulting work on this important topic. As Yael Zofi noted in her book, A Manager's Guide to Virtual Teams, technology and globalization have made virtual teams an everyday reality that has transformed the workplace. Many teams do not work in face-to-face environments anymore.

 

You might ask, is that good or bad? 2011 brought us various new online communication platforms, but we still have to remind ourselves to constantly strengthen the human bond – those relationships, or connections that are vital to every virtual situation despite time and space constraints. Happy virtual 2012!

 

5 Secrets to Engaging 'Lost Riders' on Your Virtual Teams

Join me this week for my second webcast with hr.com this Wednesday, January 11th at 11am EST.  Last October I shared highlights from my recent book, "A Manager's Guide to Virtual Teams" during the Contract Workforce and Talent Exchange Virtual Conference. Please click here to view that session.

 

In this week's session, I will unveil the "5 Secrets to Engaging "Lost Riders" on Your Virtual Teams" and elaborate on 'Lost Riders' (someone who may be lost, missing or just avoiding you).

 

As a Virtual Team member or manager, have you ever asked yourself these questions?

How can I tell if someone is really working?
When a team member continually pushes back deadlines, how do I know if the reasons are valid?
How long does it take me to detect that a team member is not fulfilling his/her responsibilities?
What can I do if someone stops responding to my emails and phone calls, and it just isn't possible to stop by his/her desk?

 

Many clients tell me that the virtual environment makes it easier for team members to hide, due to the lack of daily oversight. The first clue is that deadlines are continually pushed back, and then deliverables aren't produced for days, weeks, or even months. Sound familiar?

 

Whether you are a global project manager, an entrepreneur, a team-leading freelancer or a member of a virtual team I am sure that you have come across at least one unresponsive colleague. It's not always easy to identify and handle such behaviors, which can lead to long delays or even conflicts.

 

During my webinar, I will share techniques for helping you identify and engage such 'Lost Riders'.  You will find your own rhythm to keep the communication flowing so the team can produce high quality deliverables for your organization.

 

The event is free of charge. You can attend it by registering here.

 

Looking forward to your questions and examples of how you handle 'Lost Rider's on your projects. Enjoy!

 

Happy Holidays from Yael Zofi and AIM Strategies®!

The AIM Strategies® NY family wishes our extended business family a happy holiday and a joyous New Year. It has been our honor to collaborate with you and we appreciate your continued interest. We strive to make AIM Strategies® the consulting firm of choice for your human capital development and virtual team management needs.

 

May the holiday season and coming year bring you much joy and success.

 

 

Yael Sara Zofi and the 2011 AIM Team

Susan Victor, Alex Bazirganian, Karina Koloch, Monnica Honrade,

Yuko Takahashi, Brigitta Valas, Isaac Altmann