ELEV-TS 005: Virtual Team Building And Management

Description: In today’s ever-evolving work landscape, the prevalence of virtual workers has soared to an estimated one billion in 2012, with continued growth anticipated in the years to come. With a global workforce at your disposal, you gain access to a cost-effective and highly talented pool of employees. A virtual team presents the advantages of a “Follow the Sun” production environment.

However, virtual teams come with unique challenges. In addition to the typical issues faced by localized teams, they must contend with the complexities of distance and cultural differences. Our course, “Effective Virtual Team Building and Management,” equips participants with the knowledge and skills required to navigate these challenges and succeed in a rapidly expanding global workforce.

Course Modules:

Module One: Getting Started

• Course Overview
• Housekeeping Matters
• The Parking Lot
• Workshop Objectives
• Pre-Assignment
• Action Plans and Evaluations

Module Two: Assembling Your Virtual Team (Part I)

• Selecting Self-Motivated and Initiative-Driven Individuals
• Initial Face-to-Face Meetings
• Embracing Diversity for Added Value
• Proficiency with Technology
• Case Study
• Review Questions

Module Three: Assembling Your Virtual Team (Part II)

• Valuing Personality as Much as Skills
• Establishing Rules of Engagement
• Defining Ground Rules
• Initiating Icebreakers and Introductions
• Case Study
• Review Questions

Module Four: Managing Virtual Team Meetings

• Overcoming Scheduling Challenges
• Defining Clear Objectives and Agendas
• Encouraging Advance Topic Submissions
• Avoiding Solely Providing Status Reports
• Case Study
• Review Questions

Module Five: Effective Communication (Part I)

• Emphasizing Early and Frequent Communication
• Establishing Rules of Responsiveness
• Opting for Face-to-Face Interaction When Possible
• Choosing the Most Suitable Communication Tools
• Case Study
• Review Questions

Module Six: Effective Communication (Part II)

• Practicing Honesty and Clarity in Communication
• Maintaining Constant Contact
• Avoiding Assumptions
• Implementing Email Protocols
• Case Study
• Review Questions

Module Seven: Building Trust

• Trusting Your Team to Foster Reciprocal Trust
• Navigating “Us vs. Them” Territorial Issues
• Sharing Best Practices
• Cultivating a Sense of Ownership
• Case Study
• Review Questions

Module Eight: Addressing Cultural Differences

• Embracing and Respecting Cultural Variances
• Acknowledging Diverse Work Styles
• Understanding Team Members’ Cultural Backgrounds
• Challenging Stereotypes
• Case Study
• Review Questions

Module Nine: Achieving Success with a Virtual Team

• Defining Clear Goals
• Creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Developing a Team Culture
• Providing Timely Feedback
• Case Study
• Review Questions

Module Ten: Managing Underperforming Team Members

• Evaluating Results, Not Activities
• Adopting a Proactive Approach
• Frequent Check-Ins
• Consideration for Removal
• Case Study
• Review Questions

Module Eleven: Selecting the Right Tools

• Exploring Communication Software
• Leveraging Collaboration and Sharing Tools
• Utilizing Project Management Software
• Choosing Tools that Best Suit Your Team
• Case Study
• Review Questions

Module Twelve: Wrapping Up

• Insights from Experienced Practitioners
• Review of Key Takeaways
• Lessons Learned
• Completion of Action Plans and Evaluations

Join our “Effective Virtual Team Building and Management” course to master the art of effectively managing and building virtual teams, ensuring success in today’s global workforce.