Yael Zofi's Blog, page 4
March 28, 2014
Virtual Team Comic Relief: Just In Time For Cocktails – Part 2
You may recall our recent post describing a scenario not uncommon to most teams – multiple complications with an added network failure to liven things up. If you didn’t get a chance, you can read it here, Virtual Team Comic Relief: Just In Time For Cocktails, before continuing with Part 2 below. (We don’t want to spoil the story for you.)
So the question posed in Part 1 was “What occurred during the 30-minute call?” How is it possible to solve a client’s issues in just thirty minutes? True, thirty minutes isn’t a lot of time if you think about it. That’s not even enough time to perform a simple task like washing and drying a load of laundry. So, what did occur during the call to cover all of the points and guarantee a successful outcome?
Well, that’s kind of a riddle. It’s not so much the call, but what occurred around the call that kept it within 30 minutes and created the result this virtual team and, ultimately, the client desired. The success factors in this story involve the efficient use of the following:
Staff – Only three team members were needed in the client meeting and two out of the three were offsite, though the remaining team members were on alert.
Time – During the client meeting, both remote attendees were free to make contact with team members without disrupting the meeting. This allowed the team to set responses to client needs in motion while the manager/team leader gave his full attention to the client – all before the meeting with the client ended (and the network malfunctioned).
Resources – Clearly this team knows how to leverage the benefit of their virtual structure by transforming into a solar team extending their productivity with a 24-hour workday and by utilizing several communication options.
Communication – You’ll notice the communication with this team never stopped, but was always purposeful. Our research demonstrates frequent communication is common in high performing virtual teams.
Planning – Regardless of the network failure, this team was organized to succeed. And, this is the point you have all been waiting for…the 30-minute call! The call would have occurred whether the client requested new information or not. It was always part of the plan. The call would either have been a virtual celebration for a great client meeting or a touch point to ensure everyone was on track with results, which it turned out to be.
In this scenario, the manager would have opened the call with a brief network update before quickly moving to a report from John and Seiko detailing the action plan from that very moment to the release of the deliverable including required team members and scheduled hand-offs. The manager would know from the report what was accomplished up to that point. The how and why of those accomplishments would be discussed on a different call, if at all. This call is about future action. After presentation of the report, the manager would quickly provide feedback on critical items before releasing the team – all within 30 minutes.
Does all of the above seem realistic? Has it generated any ideas for your own virtual team? Let us know your thoughts. And, join us next Friday, April 4 for a new installment of Virtual Team Comic Relief.
March 26, 2014
Workplace Trends: Green, Green, My Staff Is Green
Green Staff – Now that could mean a lot of things, right? Maybe they just fell off a turnip truck, maybe they are envious of your new office furniture…or maybe, just maybe…they are among the 2.9 million US telecommuters who save 390 million gallons of gas and prevent the release of 3.6 million tons of greenhouse gas yearly according to Telework Research Network (TRN).
Telecommuting is increasing for many reasons. Employee demand for more flexible work environments could be one reason. Real estate footprint reductions caused by rising lease costs could be another, but whatever the reasons; there are clearly benefits beyond personal interest and company bottom lines.
As in another factoid from TRN that blew our environmentally-conscious minds: “energy saved annually from telecommuting could exceed the output of all renewable energy sources combined”. Now, not only are more families happy to see their loved ones home for dinner more often, so are the trees (benefiting from stay-at-home-workers that is).
We at AIM® say, embrace the redefined workplace, because the millennial you please today might be your boss tomorrow. Just kidding (sort of); no, because a virtual workplace is very possible in many positive ways. And never fear, we are always available to help you through the transitions.
March 13, 2014
Sticky: Virtual Team Comic Relief: Just In Time For Cocktails
t’s 12 noon, the in-person Chicago meeting you led just ended; the client wants answers; John is heading home from the UK office; Seiko in Japan is asleep; you’re expected in Atlanta for dinner with your spouse and your spouse’s boss; and the network just went down. These are real-world issues for the 21st century executive. What do you do next? You’ve built your team’s success around work/life balance and choosing an approach inconsistent with those values could be dangerous. However, losing valuable client business would be equally devastating.
Fortunately, you mapped your team’s destination long ago and the results are in motion. Seiko tele-presented the financials at the beginning of the meeting and has emailed client concerns to her team. John tele-attended the entire meeting communicating details to key colleagues throughout. Text messages have already arrived from your team stating everyone will be prepared for the 30-minute call once you land in Atlanta. You make one call to IT for updates before boarding your flight. The 30-minute call runs smoothly, finishing prior to joining your spouse for cocktails. You sleep soundly knowing you represented your spouse well and your client will have answers by 9 a.m.
The key to managing expectations is quality leadership and trust. Knowing how to navigate roadblocks, such as technology malfunctions, requires proper contingency planning with your team—well before mishaps occur. Clear direction regarding responsibilities and delegation creates the balance we all want in our lives.
Catch up with us next week for part two of this post. You curious types will want to know what occurred during the 30-minute call. In the meantime, let us know you are out there and send a quick comment about this post.
Virtual Team Comic Relief: Just In Time For Cocktails
t’s 12 noon, the in-person Chicago meeting you led just ended; the client wants answers; John is heading home from the UK office; Seiko in Japan is asleep; you’re expected in Atlanta for dinner with your spouse and your spouse’s boss; and the network just went down. These are real-world issues for the 21st century executive. What do you do next? You’ve built your team’s success around work/life balance and choosing an approach inconsistent with those values could be dangerous. However, losing valuable client business would be equally devastating.
Fortunately, you mapped your team’s destination long ago and the results are in motion. Seiko tele-presented the financials at the beginning of the meeting and has emailed client concerns to her team. John tele-attended the entire meeting communicating details to key colleagues throughout. Text messages have already arrived from your team stating everyone will be prepared for the 30-minute call once you land in Atlanta. You make one call to IT for updates before boarding your flight. The call runs smoothly, finishing prior to joining your spouse for cocktails. You sleep soundly knowing you represented your spouse well and your clients will have answers by 9 a.m. the following morning.
The key to managing expectations is quality leadership and trust. Knowing how to navigate roadblocks, such as technology malfunctions, requires proper contingency planning with your team—well before mishaps occur. Clear direction regarding responsibilities and delegation creates the balance we all want in our lives.
Catch up with us next week for part two of this post. You curious types will want to know what occurred during the 30-minute call. In the meantime, let us know you are out there and send a quick comment about this post.
March 12, 2014
Sticky: 4 Tips For Finding The Best Coach For You
Winter comes and goes, but a quality executive coach weathers all seasons.
We just released the latest edition of our signature AIM® Newsletter featuring a piece on choosing an executive coach. Many of you have shared that it is not easy to find a person who ‘gets you’ from a business perspective, understands your capabilities, and has your interest in mind when offering advice. In this eNews segment, I provide tips to assist your search!
Choosing to work with an executive coach is more important than ever. Why? Many companies have shed the responsibility for executive development and placed the onus back on the individual, which means you. You are responsible for managing your career.
Effective coaches understand what this means and can confidentially guide you through a successful career management process. But again, it is about finding the right ‘fit’. You want a coach who will help you gain the competitive edge you need to move your career toward promotion.
So, consider the following steps when selecting your coach:
1. Methods
2. Style
3. Longevity
4. Chemistry
Learn more about these steps in the latest AIM® Newsletter. While you’re there, check out the announcement on our new blog series called “Virtual Team Comic Relief“. It is a special treat for our loyal readership and welcomed new subscribers. If you enjoy it, spread the word and share the link. It’s only available on Fridays at the Virtual Teams Guide!!!
4 Tips For Finding The Best Coach For You
Winter comes and goes, but a quality executive coach weathers all seasons.
We just released the latest edition of our signature AIM® Newsletter featuring a piece on choosing an executive coach. Many of you have shared that it is not easy to find a person who ‘gets you’ from a business perspective, understands your capabilities, and has your interest in mind when offering advice. In this eNews segment, I provide tips to assist your search!
Choosing to work with an executive coach is more important than ever. Why? Many companies have shed the responsibility for executive development and placed the onus back on the individual, which means you. You are responsible for managing your career.
Effective coaches understand what this means and can confidentially guide you through a successful career management process. But again, it is about finding the right ‘fit’. You want a coach who will help you gain the competitive edge you need to move your career toward promotion.
So, consider the following steps when selecting your coach:
1. Methods
2. Style
3. Longevity
4. Chemistry
Learn more about these steps in the latest AIM® Newsletter. While you’re there, check out the announcement on our new blog series called “Virtual Team Comic Relief“. It is a special treat for our loyal readership and welcomed new subscribers. If you enjoy it, spread the word and share the link. It’s only available on Fridays at the Virtual Teams Guide!!!
February 4, 2014
A Look Back
Last year was another year of relentless change and great uncertainty in a constantly shifting world. Technological marvels and and geo-political upheavals once again filled headlines all year long. Our focus at AIM continues to be helping our core audience navigate the complexities inherent in 21st century leadership. Through an exceptionally busy year we worked with the ever-expanding virtual community, helping organizations connect their people resources to achieve business goals. Their support keeps us firmly on track as the ‘go to resource’ for meeting the challenges of the virtual workplace. With the year receding into history, I would like to make note of some key achievements and appearances that were especially meaningful for me.
Thanks to my book, A Manager’s Guide to Virtual Teams, I have gained credibility with a wide variety of organizations that value my insights about virtual work arrangements. This year I have been fortunate to share my passion about effective management in the virtual world with a wide range of individuals, teams and organizations, across many locales, time zones and continents. As I have said repeatedly for the past few years, the Virtual Office increases in demand, and I anticipate further cross cultural communication expansion in the New Year.
I’m pleased to appear in different venues, reaching a diverse audience on a number of key virtual leadership topics. Here are selected highlights:
Working on Virtual Teams:
Video Blog on Virtual Team Leadership
Columnist on Working @ Home
Panelist on ODNNY on How to Support a Global Workforce
Three-time Guest Speaker on HR and Virtual Teams for NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering
Guest Lecturer at NYU OB Program on Virtual Teams and Global Communications
Keynote speaker at ACTE Conference on Virtual Teams Trends
Author recording interview (3 Questions with Author Yael Zofi) AMA Video on A Manager’s Guide to Virtual Teams
Webinar Presenter with AMA on Leading Effective Virtual Team Meetings
Interviewed about Global Management by Virtual Work Teams
Guest Appearance at NYU Business Conference speaking on Virtual Teams now and future
Radio SME on Managing Virtual Teams Successfully with Virtual Work Team
Keynote Virtual Teams Expert Speaker at a global conference for a Pharmaceutical Client in Lisbon
Leading in Challenging Times:
Three-time Seminar Leader with AMA on Collaborative Leadership Skills for Managers
Four-time Seminar Leader with AMA on Successfully Managing People
Graduate Instructor for Executive Coaching Program at NYU School of Engineering
Graduate Summer Course Leader at NYU Polytechnic (Topic: Leadership and Team Development)
Featured Speaker at Build Network Webinar on Managing The Virtual Workforce: The Keys To High Performance
Developing Your Career
Featured Speaker at the annual Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business Conference in New Orleans on Managing Up
Webinar Instructor for Foundation for Accounting Education (FAE) on networking to grow your career [based on my book, Work Your Network, Making Impactful Business Connections]
Attendee and Participant at PwC Alumni Event at Rockefeller Center
Virtual Coach for a growing IT/Tech company in Israel
For specifics and resources, go to the blog Newsroom.
My work is incredibly satisfying, with wide access to diverse cultures, groups and types of organizations. This access allows me to constantly refine my connections – and I can get to the heart of what my audience finds most meaningful. It’s no wonder I consider myself fortunate! Last year deepened my insight into what works today, and I often told clients that although people differences exist, what remains constant is the human drive to engage, focus and succeed. In our global business environment, the opportunities to create joint success grow stronger every year, and I have every expectation that the New Year will be even more spectacular. You’ll find a wealth of resources on my blog, and I am excited that this year we launch www.yaelzofi.com. I know you will find this site the place to go to grow your knowledge about developing people and teams that truly grow global organizations.
May 2014 bring you personal growth, professional fulfillment and much business success.
January 22, 2014
Facilitate Now!!!
Yael’s Presentation At The International Association of Facilitators (IAF) NYC Chapter
Do you often find yourself having to lead a group of people, perhaps at church or philanthropic events or on a conference call, and wish you had more training? Or, are you a professional facilitator at work and want to learn new techniques? There is an excellent group of people and an organization I would like to recommend to you — The International Association of Facilitators (IAF).
Last week I had the pleasure of presenting to the NYC Facilitators Chapter of this very credible organization. This is a knowledgeable group of women who hosted the event (not a gender-specific organization by the way…so, join up guys). Deb Seidman, the woman with the colorful scarf directly to my left in the photo, arranged my visit. I’ve known Deb for many years and am grateful our schedules finally coordinated for me to interact with the members and speak on the topic of facilitating virtual team meetings. Over the past couple of years, I have seen a disappointing drop off in enthusiasm for face-to-face facilitation among corporations. Facilitation should be supported and respected as a finely-developed craft in every organization. Those who do it well are effective at communicating highly complex details to diverse groups effortlessly. So, I am fully behind the IAF’s mission.
For this event, I chose a facilitation exercise called “Conference Call Blues”, which I adapted from my latest book, A Manager’s Guide to Virtual Teams. It depicts the horrors of bad phone etiquette and the confusion that occurs when conference calls are poorly organized, and is based on actual events. Sound familiar?
The group really took to the role-playing portion (I’m convinced a few have had formal acting training). All functioned beautifully in teams during the breakout sessions and delivered great suggestions at the conclusion of our program — more reasons why I encourage participation in this organization.
Julie Larsen, to my direct right in the photo, helps plan the bi-monthly meetings, which attract notable guest speakers on worthwhile topics. To learn more about the NYC chapter and the national organization, here are their links: NYC Facilitators and IAF.
For more facilitation ideas, check out Yael’s book, A Manager’s Guide to Virtual Teams or visit www.yaelzofi.com
Facilitate Now!!
Yael’s Presentation At The International Association of Facilitators (IAF) NYC Chapter
Do you often find yourself having to lead a group of people, perhaps at church or philanthropic events or on a conference call, and wish you had more training? Or, are you a professional facilitator at work and want to learn new techniques? There is an excellent group of people and an organization I would like to recommend to you — The International Association of Facilitators (IAF).
Last week I had the pleasure of presenting to the NYC Facilitators Chapter of this very credible organization. This is a knowledgeable group of women who hosted the event (not a gender-specific organization by the way…so, join up guys). Deb Seidman, the woman with the colorful scarf directly to my left in the photo, arranged my visit. I’ve known Deb for many years and am grateful our schedules finally coordinated for me to interact with the members and speak on the topic of facilitating virtual team meetings. Over the past couple of years, I have seen a disappointing drop off in enthusiasm for face-to-face facilitation among corporations. Facilitation should be supported and respected as a finely-developed craft in every organization. Those who do it well are effective at communicating highly complex details to diverse groups effortlessly. So, I am fully behind the IAF’s mission.
For this event, I chose a facilitation exercise called “Conference Call Blues”, which I adapted from my latest book, A Manager’s Guide to Virtual Teams. It depicts the horrors of bad phone etiquette and the confusion that occurs when conference calls are poorly organized, and is based on actual events. Sound familiar?
The group really took to the role-playing portion (I’m convinced a few have had formal acting training). All functioned beautifully in teams during the breakout sessions and delivered great suggestions at the conclusion of our program — more reasons why I encourage participation in this organization.
Julie Larsen, to my direct right in the photo, helps plan the bi-weekly meetings, which attract notable guest speakers on worthwhile topics. To learn more about the NYC chapter and the national organization, here are their links: NYC Facilitators and IAF.
For more facilitation ideas, check out Yael’s book, A Manager’s Guide to Virtual Teams or visit www.yaelzofi.com
January 7, 2014
Happy New Year from AIM Strategies®!!
AIM Strategies® Applied Innovative Management®
T: (718) 832-6767 / 6699, F: (718) 832-6660
www.aim-strategies.com www.yaelzofi.com
www.virtualteamsguide.com info@aim-strategies.com
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