Chapter 11
Exercises
Skills Practice 11.1: Applying Self-Management
Flashcards
Case Study #1: Global Virtual Teams for Value Creation and Project Success: A Case Study
- What are the characteristics of effective virtual teams that you can identify in the case?
- What challenges of virtual teams can you identify in this case study?
- What specific managerial interventions would you recommend to increase a virtual team’s ability to realize its full potential?
- What are the practical implications from this case for managing virtual teams in the real world?
There are multiple characteristics of effective virtual teams that were identified in the case. Virtual teams allow for cross-functional and cross-boundary skill inputs and allows, especially in regards to time zones and cultural issues. The virtual teams in the case were effective in meeting overall performance criteria of time, budget and functionality, meeting user requirements and satisfaction and project team satisfaction and self-assessed success.
There are a variety of barriers identified in this case study. Some conventional issues that were identified such as management agenda and leadership style, requirements creep, dissonance, asymmetry in processes and unclear roles and responsibilities. In addition, an over-reliance on a technological infrastructure can impede growth as global companies expand into regions where the necessary infrastructure does not yet exist. Lastly, face-to-face contact is often deemed as necessary and that is lost in virtual teams.
I would recommend careful team selection so that every global team will have at least some members who have prior distanced working experience and who can help other global members new to virtual projects deal with possible language, accent or attitudinal differences. Another managerial invention is tailored personal development programs and teambuilding exercises. Adopting a more structured project management approach can help provide role clarity and increase predictability in expected behaviors and quality performance.
There are many practical implications from this case for managing virtual teams. Proper training and development programs are important for onboarding employees into a virtual team. In addition, virtual teams are important for connecting employees around the world.
Case Study #2: Coca-Cola Latin America: A Virtual Programme to Develop Organizational Capacity for Managing Virtual Teams
http://www.towardsmaturity.org/elements/uploads/Coca_Cola_LA_Managing_Virtual_Teams.pdf
- What are the key characteristics of virtual teams can you identify?
- What challenges of virtual teams can you identify in this case study?
- What specific managerial interventions would you recommend to increase a virtual team’s ability to realize its full potential?
- What are the practical implications for managing virtual teams in the real world?
Virtual teams help to minimize costs, avoid duplication and leverage capabilities. It is important when creating a virtual team to develop the leaders’ capability to work in this type of environment. Virtual teams allow team members to be from all over the world and give them a place and chance to connect.
Many of the cultures that participated in the online virtual teams are based on a high level of interpersonal, real-time contact. This often leads to leaders spending as much as 8 or 9 hours a day on the phone. On a more technical basis good quality headsets, access to blogging tools and shared drives to manage information are often necessary. Lastly, team members can’t expect managers to be fully up to speed on the technologies and tools.
After implementing the program and giving participants an action plan to roll out over the 18 months the management intervention that should be used is the norming stage. This stage requires development of processes for customizing task requirements, specification of responsibilities and deadlines, designation of procedures for transfer of information, and (perhaps) assignment of a team coach. Due to the fact that the company already has the program developed they now need to make this program a normalized aspect of your company.
Virtual teams are an important aspect of any company. They allow for the connection of team members around the world, help to minimize costs and allow for 24-hour workdays. When creating a virtual team you need to make sure everyone on the team knows the policies and procedures, you have the right technological equipment and the team leader has adequate training.
Additional Resources
Articles on Teams
- Basic Six Environment Types
- http://pseducraft.com/basic-six-environment-types.html
- How to Design a Team Environment to Minimize Job Dissatisfaction
- http://smallbusiness.chron.com/design-teamwork-environment-minimize-job-dissatisfaction-48535.html
- Will Workplace Robots Cost More Jobs than They Create?
- http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-27995372
- Making Virtual Teams Work
- https://hbr.org/2013/06/making-virtual-teams-work-ten&cm_sp=Article-_-Links-_-Top%20of%20Page%20Recirculation
- How to Manage Conflict in Virtual Teams
- https://hbr.org/2012/11/how-to-manage-conflict-in-virt/
- Six Rules for Better Communication in Virtual Teams
- http://www.computerworld.com/article/2519498/it-management/6-rules-for-better-communication-in-virtual-teams.html
- The Ultimate List of Virtual Team Technology Tools
- http://www.thecouchmanager.com/the-ultimate-list-of-virtual-team-technology-tools/
- The Four Keys to Success with Virtual Teams
- http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/19/virtual-teams-meetings-leadership-managing-cooperation.html
Videos on Teams
- Robots on the Rise in the Workplace
- http://www.cbsnews.com/news/robots-on-the-rise-in-the-workplace/
- Leading Virtual Teams
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVBeGw8GpQQ
- Optimizing Virtual Teams
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SzWrazgt7Y
- Managing Global Virtual Teams
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1YokiumAkQ
- What is Self-Management?
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac13iuGByRQ
Books on Teams
- Kurtzberg, T.R. (2014). Virtual Teams: Mastering Communications and Collaboration in the Digital Age. New York: Praeger.
- Zofi, Yael (2011). A Manager’s Guide to Virtual Teams. New York: AMACOM.
- Lepsinger, R. & DeRosa, D. (2010). Virtual Ream Success: A Practical Guide for Working and Leading from a Distance. New York: Peiffer.
- Van Der Haagen (2014). Seven Habits of Highly Effective Virtual Teams: Make a Success of Your Virtual Global Workforce. Amazon Digital Services.