Read more
Set your virtual team on a path to success
In the global marketplace, people can work practically anywhere and anytime. Virtual teams cut across the boundaries of time, space, culture, and sometimes even organizations. Rising costs, global locations, and advances in technology are top reasons why virtual teams have increased by 800 percent over the past 5 years.
Packed with solid advice, interviews and case studies from well-known companies who are already using virtual teams in their business model and their lessons learned, Virtual Teams For Dummies provides rock-solid guidance on the essentials for building, leading, and sustaining a highly productive virtual workforce. It helps executives understand key support strategies that lead virtual teams to success and provides practical information and tools to help leaders and their teams bridge the communication gaps created by geographical separation--and achieve peak performance.
* Includes research findings based on a year-long study on the effectiveness of virtual teams
* Mindset and skill shift for managers from old school traditional team management to virtual team management
* Covers the communication and relationship strategies for virtual teams
* Examines how the frequency of in-person meetings affects a remote team's success
Written by an award-winning leadership expert, this book is your one-stop resource on creating and sustaining a successful virtual team.
List of contents
Introduction 1
Part 1: Getting Started with Virtual Teams 5
Chapter 1: The Big Picture of Virtual Teams 7
Chapter 2: Envisioning Virtual Teams in Your Business 23
Chapter 3: Preparing for Your Career as a Virtual Team Member 45
Part 2: Building a Strong Virtual Team 73
Chapter 4: Planning Ahead for Your Team's Success 75
Chapter 5: Finding and Hiring the Right People 93
Chapter 6: Contracting with Contract Workers 113
Chapter 7: Structuring and Assembling Your Team 123
Part 3: Creating and Nurturing a Productive Team Culture 143
Chapter 8: Making Work Culture Considerations 145
Chapter 9: Managing Differences in Gender, Generation, and Culture 161
Chapter 10: Transitioning from Old-School Manager to Virtual Team Leader 175
Part 4: Getting Your Team Rolling 189
Chapter 11: Establishing Best Practices of Engagement 191
Chapter 12: Building Trust and Rapport 207
Chapter 13: Adopting Best Practices in Communication 225
Chapter 14: Measuring Virtual Team and Team Member Success 245
Chapter 15: Training Your Virtual Team 253
Chapter 16: Checking All Things Technology: What You Need to Know 265
Chapter 17: Rolling with the Changes 281
Part 5: Best Practices in Managing Your Virtual Team 293
Chapter 18: Leading by Example 295
Chapter 19: Understanding What Drives Motivation 305
Chapter 20: Managing Workflow and Execution 319
Part 6: The Part of Tens 327
Chapter 21: Ten Predictors of Virtual Team Success 329
Chapter 22: Ten Signs Your Organization Is Ready for Virtual Teams 335
Index 341
About the author
A 20-year talent development professional,
Tara Powers is an international best-selling author, award-winning leadership expert, and sought-after keynote speaker. She's worked with more than 200 companies and 15,000 leaders worldwide, building and launching talent initiatives that deliver high touch and high impact for her clients.
Summary
Set your virtual team on a path to success
In the global marketplace, people can work practically anywhere and anytime. Virtual teams cut across the boundaries of time, space, culture, and sometimes even organizations. Rising costs, global locations, and advances in technology are top reasons why virtual teams have increased by 800 percent over the past 5 years.
Packed with solid advice, interviews and case studies from well-known companies who are already using virtual teams in their business model and their lessons learned, Virtual Teams For Dummies provides rock-solid guidance on the essentials for building, leading, and sustaining a highly productive virtual workforce. It helps executives understand key support strategies that lead virtual teams to success and provides practical information and tools to help leaders and their teams bridge the communication gaps created by geographical separation--and achieve peak performance.
* Includes research findings based on a year-long study on the effectiveness of virtual teams
* Mindset and skill shift for managers from old school traditional team management to virtual team management
* Covers the communication and relationship strategies for virtual teams
* Examines how the frequency of in-person meetings affects a remote team's success
Written by an award-winning leadership expert, this book is your one-stop resource on creating and sustaining a successful virtual team.
