creating and shaping productive and happy virtual teams · creating and shaping productive and...
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Creating and Shaping Productive and Happy Virtual
Teams
Rebecca Achurch, PgMP, PMP, CSM, [email protected]
@r_achurchwww.achurchconsulting.com
What’s your experience with virtual teams?
Why are you here?What questions do you need
answered?
Let’s have a discussion and some fun!Why go virtualTypes of TeamsCharacteristics of good virtual team membersVirtual Team obstaclesTips for effectively managing your team and all sorts of virtual
interactionsNorms and ground rulesCommunication Technology
Surviving the isolation of working remotely
Things that make you go hum?
What is the average age of a teleworker in the U.S.?
Things that make you go hum?
What is the average age of a teleworker in
the U.S.?
49
How many (estimated) gallons of gas are saved
annually by the 2.9 million teleworkers in the US?
How many (estimated) gallons of gas are saved annually by the 2.9 million teleworkers
in the US?
390 Million Gallons of GasAND
3.6 Million Tons of Green House Gases
Benefits of Embracing Virtual Teams
Cost savingsSupports a “green” initiativeEmployee satisfactionRemoved from office politicsAvoidance of “group think”
Fosters InnovationMore productive – better able
to focusShifts focus to measuring
performance!
Put more money back into the mission of your organizationFind new and retain great talent AND expands your talent pool
Don’t just take my word for it!!!Attrition cost 10K – 30K per person36% would CHOOSE working from home over a pay raisesIncreases in productivity from 15%– 45%JD Edwards – Virtual 20% - 25% more productive than office
counter partsAmerican Express - Virtual 43% more productive than office
counter partsReal Estate Savings – Approx 10K/staff/year
Virtual Teams
• Choice – Strategic Decision
• Compulsory, when a virtual team required • Project teams/implementations/vendors)
High Functioning TeamStrong leader Teams of 12 or fewerTeams that feel vested in the outcome
• Self-starters – can work from home efficiently• High EQ• Results-oriented• Resilient• Pro-active communicator• Curious – always wanting to learn• Tech savvy
Creating your team
When Forming a New TeamEstablish SWIFT trust. First interactions and commitments are critical!
Take the time to learn about the team members: New to “virtual team?” Know each team member’s experience with co-located/virtual teams. Understand styles. Consider using DiSC assessment to better understand team. Know each team member’s time commitment to your team. Clearly define individual roles.
Strongly encourage one in-person meeting at the beginning of team formation.
Swift trust is a form of trust occurring in temporary organizational structures,which can include quick starting groups or teams. It was first explored byDebra Meyerson and colleagues in 1996. In swift trust theory, a group orteam assumes trust initially, and later verifies and adjusts trust beliefsaccordingly.
Top 2 reasons why virtual teams fail?
Top 2 reasons why virtual teams fail?
1. Lack of trust2. Poor Communication
No different than an “in person” team
Key to Success – Setting Ground RulesSET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS!• Set communication framework
• Meetings times – Phone communication• Email
• Response times • Ping-pong• As a cop-out
• Informal communication• Establish multi-channel communication strategy (form and function)• Set documentation framework
Ground Rules and Tips• Meeting Etiquette
• Be on time (or early)• Stop multi-tasking• Speak Slowly• Ask for participation• Speak like the person IS in the room with you• Talking over each other• Non verbal cues to indicate you have a contribution/something to say• Use your mute button - PLEASE
• Virtual Etiquette• Respect the “red” meeting status• Immediate response….really?????
Who’s up for a Challenge?
General Communication Challenges• Verbal versus non-verbal communication• Oral versus written communication
Team and Management Tips – Your leadership style matters!STOP multi-tasking – Yep, that’s right. It’s in here twice!Increase frequency of interactionPick up the phoneListen to the tone/voiceCreate personal interaction
Learn about the teamGo first!Create water-cooler moments – find the right balanceUnderstand other’s goals
Follow up and follow throughBe as absolutely transparent as possible
Managing Performance
Set clear expectationsFocus on the outcomeConsider take a page from “SCRUM” methodology
Make Communication Easy• Conference lines
• Use a GOOD phone line • Get a headset … PLEASE!
• Use video – especially for new teams• Two monitors (minimum)• Take notes on-screen. Reduce homework • Tech tools to consider – know tradeoffs• Consider recording your meetings• Test your tech – and be patient
• Plan for failure/have a backup
IM Tools• Slack• Google Hangout • Lync (Skype for business)
Conference tools• Webex• join.me• Zoom• Blab• gotomeeting• Adobe Connect• Lync (Skype for business)
Which U.S. state has the highest percentage of FULL-TIME telecommuters?
Which U.S. state has the highest percentage of FULL-TIME telecommuters?
1. Colorado: 6.92. Vermont: 6.83. Oregon: 6.34. Montana: 6.05. Maine: 5.76. Arizona: 5.57. Idaho: 5.58. New Hampshire: 5.49. Washington: 5.310. California: 5.2
11. South Dakota: 5.212. Florida: 5.113. Utah: 5.114. Georgia: 4.915. Minnesota: 4.916. North Carolina: 4.517. Virginia: 4.518. DC: 4.419. Hawaii 4.420. Massachusetts: 4.4
Beyond Yoga Pants and T-Shirts!
• Stay connected• Take breaks – socialize• Set boundaries (for teammates and family)• Have a defined workspace• Develop a transition strategy• Don’t forget about your remote team members They miss the office
“events”
Keys to success• Establish trust• Communicate deliberately• Check your management style• Take advantage of technology• Understand team member commitments and
obligations• Don’t isolate yourself or your teammates
Rebecca Achurch, PgMP, PMP, CSM, CAEO: 704.510.0100 | M: 202.439.4293
Questions?
References
https://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/compensation/articles/pages/wage-growth-up.aspx
http://www.eremedia.com/tlnt/what-was-leadership-thinking-the-shockingly-high-cost-of-employee-turnover/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/cameronkeng/2014/06/22/employees-that-stay-in-companies-longer-than-2-years-get-paid-50-less/#7113ad9f210e
http://www.forbes.com/sites/vanessaloder/2014/06/11/why-multi-tasking-is-worse-than-marijuana-for-your-iq/#6e61d95a4e51