leading collaborative virtual teams

© 2015 NetSpeed Learning Solutions. All rights reserved. 1

Leading Collaborative

Virtual Teams

April 21, 2015


Webinar Objectives

• Design your “game plan” around eight

practices

• Bring attention, direction, and

recognition to your virtual team

• Build accountability among virtual team

members


About Cynthia Clay

• 25+ years of experience

• Author of Great Webinars

• An expert in collaborative,

engaging virtual learning


Tweet

#virtualleader


Purpose

What moved you to register for this

webinar?


Definition

“groups of individuals who work across time,

space, and organizational boundaries and who

interact primarily through electronic

communications”

Source: SHRM, Virtual Teams


Who Uses Virtual Teams?

46% of organizations polled

66% of multi-national organizations

Source: SHRM, Virtual Teams


Who Uses Them?

In companies of 10,000+ employees, 80%

rely on virtual teams.

Source: i4cp


Poll

Why does your organization use virtual

teams?• include talent in multiple locations

• increase collaboration

• improve productivity

• minimize travel costs

• work on global projects


Poll: Obstacles

What primary obstacle causes virtual teams to fail?

• Lack of systems and processes

• Inability to build team cohesion

• Time differences

• Work distribution

• Differing cultural norms

• Poor communication

• No access to technology


Darn Hard

“Leadership in my book comes down to

communication. But communicating in person

and communicating electronically are

not the same thing. It is darn hard

to motivate and inspire from

long distance.”

Manager quoted in “Leading Virtual Teams,” Academy of Management

Perspectives


Poll: Virtual Team Leaders

What characteristics (qualities or

skills) must team leaders demonstrate?

• Listen well

• Build trust

• Establish clear expectations

• Facilitate virtual meetings

• Build consensus

• Demonstrate cultural awareness

• Maintain a sense of humor


Virtual Leaders Must Provide…


Your Virtual Game Plan™


GGrow Trust


G

Grow Trust


Grow Trust

G• Set expectations

• Discuss norms

• Establish communication

channels

• Respect time zones


Virtual Presence


Create Virtual Presence

How can you help team members create

virtual presence?


AAttend to Diversity


Attend to Diversity

A• Create a Talented Expert

directory

• Build virtual presence

(photos, bios, skills and

experience)

• Respect cultural norms and

differences


MManage Accountability


Manage Accountability

M• Set clear goals and targets

• Create processes to

manage responsibilities and

results

• Have team members post

progress reports


EExpect Teamwork


Expect Teamwork

E


Expect Teamwork

E• Encourage collaboration

• Brainstorm and problem

solve

• Have sub-teams meet

outside team meetings


Plan Meetings

P


Plan Meetings

P• Prepare and send agendas

in advance

• Segment meetings:

information-sharing, idea

generation, project reporting

• Document discussions and

action items


Keep Communication Flowing

What technological tools

contribute to open, effective

communication on a virtual

team?

What virtual team

workspaces do you use?


LLeverage Technology


Leverage Technology

L• Use Skype with video

• Meet weekly via web

conferencing

• Set up micro-blogs and IM

• Implement project

management software

• Create virtual collaboration

spaces


AAppreciate and Celebrate


Appreciate and Celebrate

A


Appreciate and Celebrate

A• Celebrate milestones and

results in team meetings

• Recognize individual and

team contributions

• Include appreciation in

every conversation


NNurture Relationships


Nurture Relationships

N

• Get to know each individual

personally

• Learn about hopes and

dreams

• Help them

develop their careers


The Virtual Team Leader


Decisions

40© 2015 NetSpeed Learning Solutions. All rights reserved.

Our Story

1992

•Began as an independent consulting practice

•Provided organization and leadership development to Pacific NW clients

2000

•Developed NetSpeed Leadership (blended learning)

•Expanded nationally

2006

•Developed Blazing Service (blended learning)

•Began to experiment with interactive, ILT using web conferencing

2007•Developed NetSpeed Fast Tracks™ (integrated learning system)

2008•Rebranded the company as NetSpeed Learning Solutions

2009

•Introduced the Virtual Facilitator Trainer Certification course

•Published Great Webinars

2012

•We help clients transition to virtual learning and leadership

•Great Webinars and Peer Power published by Wiley

2015

•Work internationally with clients such as Novartis, Genentech/Roche, Penn National Gaming, BP/ARCO, Providence Healthcare, Ontario Lottery & Gaming, and the US GAO


NetSpeed Leadership 2®


NetSpeed Leadership2®

1. Face-to-face (3 hour) or

Virtual Classroom (90-

minute)

2. Post-class reinforcement

tools

3. NetSpeed Administrator™

(to report the impact of

training)


Three Tracks – 24 Modules

Leadership Development – 8 modules

Performance Management – 8 modules

Professional Development – 8 modules

Available for classroom and virtual delivery


• Five, 90-minute web workshops

• Delivered by our virtual trainers

or your virtual trainers

• Combined with NetSpeed Fast

Tracks mobile for pre- and post-

class reinforcement

• May be licensed and

customized


Virtual Facilitator Training


Virtual Facilitator Training

• Deep dive, comprehensive course

• Focused on virtual design and delivery

• Next public VFTC courses begin April 29 or July 9

• Customized for private delivery in your web conference platform


• Link to download our eBook (Eight Essential Strategies to Lead Virtual Teams).

• Schedule a private Virtual Facilitator course by June 15 and receive 15% off the standard price.

Take Our Survey


Q & A

49

Thank You!

leading collaborative virtual teams

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