successful global virtual teamwork

Global

Virtual

Teamwork

© Transnational Management Associates Ltd. All Rights Reserved. [Global virtual teams vc] 2

Roadmap

Global Virtual Teams

1 Achieving virtual team collaboration 2 Generating team spirit -Cooperation & Convergence

3 Being inclusive -Cultural Intelligence

4 Synchronizing -Coordination & Communication

5 Leveraging expertise -Capability


What makes virtual collaboration difficult?


Overcoming the barriers


Trusting relationships Supporting alignment Synchronized workflows Leveraging expertise Shared understandings Being inclusive

Successful GVTs

COOPERATION

CAPABILITY

Isolation

Engagement

Confusion

Clarity

Fragmentation

Cohesion

The 6C framework


Roadmap







Cooperation & Convergence: Mindsets

We help each other We pull in the same direction

Mindsets

COOPERATION

CAPABILITY


Take away | Cooperation

● Build trust by increasing openness

● Develop swift trust through relationships and deepen that trust by proving yourself

● Keep promises

● Be accessible

● Treat everyone with respect and consideration

● Fix problems, do not blame

Key team member responsibilities

How can team members help each other cooperate?


Mission Team Charter, including:

scope and strategy success criteria

Resources and Support Timelines and Budgets Team Organization and Roles Authority & decision making guidelines Define extent of local / regional flex

Clear Global Objectives Optimised Regionally/

Locally Updated when

required

Definition of team values

Operating principles

Metrics and Monitoring Procedures Daily/Weekly/Monthly Validation

Convergence: Pulling in the same direction

MARKERS

Performance Indicators

Purpose

Plans

Priorities Principles


Take away | Convergence

● Follow a shared purpose

• Have shared priorities

● Have a plan in place

• Work according to a set of team principles

• Measure team performance


How can you make sure you all pull in the same direction?


Roadmap







Cultural intelligence: Mindset

We play well together Mindsets

COOPERATION

CAPABILITY


The TMA Worldprism™

REASONING

RELATING

REGULATING

CULTURAL LENS History Geography Language Religion


Cultural Intelligence

TASK RELATIONSHIP

EXPLICIT IMPLICIT

INDIVIDUAL GROUP

RISK TAKING RISK AVOIDING

TIGHT LOOSE

SHARED CONCENTRATED

LINEAR CIRCULAR

FACTS THINKING

SIMPLE COMPLEX

RELATING - How we interact

REGULATING - How we manage

REASONING - How we think

P

ers

on A

Pers

on B


Take away | Cultural Intelligence

• Understand the factors that influence culture

• Recognize, acknowledge and respect cultural difference

• Avoid stereotypes

• Use the TMA Worldprism™ to profile cultural difference to understand areas that impact on business activities

• Adapt working styles and preferences to work well with other cultures and generate business value

• Be aware of the virtual environment


How can team members play well together?


Roadmap







Synchronization: Mindsets

We work together We pay attention to each other

Mindsets

COOPERATION

CAPABILITY


Coordination: Mindset

We work together

Mindsets

COOPERATION

CAPABILITY


Coordination: Clarity

Operating Agreements How we do things around here

Shared Processes How tasks are done

Shared Tools & Technologies

How information is created & shared

Roles & Responsibilities Who will do what & when

Work Analysis What needs to be done


Take away | Coordination

• Be aware of local priorities and time zone differences of other team members

• Ensure you understand and know how to follow shared team procedures

• Be clear on roles and responsibilities for you and your team members

• Check for mutual understanding

• Use technologies to be coordinated synchronously and asynchronously

• Engage in regular formal and informal communication


How can you work well together to support coordination?


Communication: Mindset

We pay attention to each other

Mindsets

COOPERATION

CAPABILITY


Communication protocols: Best practices

• Make sure the right information is getting to the right people at the right time and in the right format

• Use a variety of collaborative technologies

• Develop explicit agreements on which media channels to use for specific types of communication

• Provide frequent and timely information and feedback


Take away | Communication

• Make sure the right information gets to the right people at the right time and in the right format

• Follow agreed protocols and use a variety of tools for effective communication:

Which tool

When to use

Why to use

• Follow agreed best practice on how to use:

Emails: Include prefixes, project details, actions, times and dates, adopt written communication best practice

Virtual meeting processes: Before, during and after


How can you ensure team members pay attention to each other?


Roadmap







Capability: Mindsets

We share what we have

Mindsets

COOPERATION

CAPABILITY


Making best use of diverse expertise

Disturbers Generate and shape knowledge

Experimenters Originators Questioners Transformers Seekers

Destructors Block and distort knowledge

Blockers Charlatans Chaotics Escalators Hoarders Toxics Whirling Dervishes

Mobilizers Communicate and use knowledge

Accelerators Amplifiers Channelers Implementers Integrators Multipliers Prioritizers Sense Makers Validators

Knowledge Labyrinth


Take away | Capability


How can you and the team share what you have?

• Promote constructive team roles

• Challenge (constructively) negative team roles

• Communicate your knowledge, skills and experiences

• Identify your strengths and developmental areas

• Take the lead when you have the requisite knowledge or skills for a situation

• Create opportunities for sharing your knowledge, skills and best practices with the team and learning from others

• Pay attention to the capability needs of the team as a whole and identify how you could help meet those needs


Contact us at [email protected]

or Eugene directly at [email protected]

Get in touch!

Please visit our website

www.tmaworld.com

TMA World is a leader in developing talent for the global workplace.

Thank you for your participation

mailto:[email protected]




TMA World is a leader in developing talent for the global workplace. Across 50 countries we apply a blend of experiential workshops and e-learning methodologies to enable individuals at all levels to lead and collaborate across distances and difference:

Develop leaders - who possess appropriate global mindsets and competencies

Engage global teams - to collaborate seamlessly and support international growth

Achieve consistency - across cultures, methodologies and management

Harmonize cross-border relationships - both internally and externally

Unify your people - to enable the free flow of ideas and skills globally

To find out more about how we can help you address your learning and development challenges, please contact us at [email protected] or visit our website www.tmaworld.com

London New York San Francisco Hong Kong Singapore Bangalore Moscow


TMA World Publications

Written by Terence Brake, President, TMA World-Americas

Where In The World Is My Team? Making a success of your virtual global workplace

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Managing Globally

‘Managing Globally’ is a practical, self-help guide to help you develop key management skills for working with other cultures. Packed with essential tips and advice you will learn how to adapt to different working practices, from overcoming language barriers, making presentations and carrying out negotiations to working in global teams and managing conflict.

Manager's Handbook

A comprehensive guide to learning key management skills, understanding core business concepts, and planning a successful career, ‘Manager's Handbook’ is both an introduction for new managers and an up-to-date reference for experienced managers and those working in new businesses.

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The work revolution is here and now! This blog builds on the work of my new book - Where in the World is My Team? by discussing the latest thinking on virtual teamwork and collaboration. Enjoy!

http://virtualteamwork.blogspot.com

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