virtual team two - final presentation ashley kingsley ashley mcconnell ashly mittleider jessica...
TRANSCRIPT
Virtual Team Two - Final Presentation
Ashley Kingsley
Ashley McConnell
Ashly Mittleider
Jessica Knock
Lori Lins
Purpose of Presentation
To learn how teams function in
local organizations by conducting individual interviews.
Company and Contact information
Ashley Kingsley Kitchen Enterprises: Nordic Lanes & The Creamery / Debbie Kitchens
Ashley McConnell The Ronald McDonald House /
Ashly Mittleider Make A Wish Foundation / Lisa, Office
& Volunteer Coordinator
Jessica Knock Allianz life Insurance Company / Nicole, Manager of Contact Center
Lori Lins Pearson / Bruce Karpenko, Manager of Software Quality Assurance, Digital Product Development
Interview Questions
What are the biggest challenges you face having virtual teams? Can you give me an example of some of the successes you have experienced
with your virtual teams? How do you overcome language and/or time zone differences? What technologies do you use to communicate between your virtual teams? How do you decide what task(s) to assign each team?
What do you think are three key items to having a meeting or project run smoothly?
How do you handle if there is a member who is not participating on the project and has a poor attitude?
Do you find the time at meetings is used correctly? Why?
What was the most beneficial thing you found by having groups? What was least beneficial?
Results from Kitchen Enterprises
Computer, Webcam, Microphone, as well as
e-mail is important for communication. When a member is not doing
his/her part they should not be
given credit or just asked to
apply themselves better.
Results from Kitchen Enterprises
Time is never wasted during meetings
and with language being a barrier,
they are able to use instant
messaging. Tasks are given to each member
based on experience and knowledge.
Results from Kitchen Enterprises
Success occurs when everyone does their
part in the project, not just
one person. 3 Key items: Ideas, To be
on time, Express opinion.
There is no “I” in “Team”
Results from The Ronald McDonald House
The positives outweigh the negatives when working with virtual teams.
Skype, Yahoo, and E-mail are some
of ways found of successful communication. Meetings are arranged to discuss the
positives and negatives.
Results from The Ronald McDonald House
Weekly reviews are conducted of the
negative aspects and revised to see
any changes. This is very helpful
when it comes to teams. When there are negative aspects ongoing,
it’s figured out as a team.
Results from The Ronald McDonald House
Weekly updates is the best way
they have found to keeping positive. Every team member has different weekly
duties to complete. Virtual teams can be a SUCCESS
if you let them be.
Results from Make a Wish Foundation
Often times the biggest challenges are
deciding who to place where and
the responsibilities and deadlines. Teams run smoother with a great
deal of communication. Email and telephone
are the primary sources of that.
Results from Make a Wish Foundation
Tasks are assigned based on individuality,
along with dedication and previous success. Poor professional attitude is unacceptable and
not tolerated within this organization. Staying focused and on task greatly
helps the success of the project.
Results from Allianz Life
While working in Virtual team setting
needing to have patience due to
turn around time for replies. To conduct a successful meeting; make
sure agenda and purpose of meeting
is known to all attending.
Results from Allianz Life
Key word that continued through out
the interview
Communication Creative and
different ideas
Understanding the purpose of the meeting
Understand what your strengths are and individuals on your
team
Results from Pearson
• When English is a second (or third) language written language is sometimes better.
• Communication technologies used for virtual teams—Phone, Email, SharePoint, WebEx, Instant Messenger.
• Tasks are assigned based on “best fit” and likeliness for success.
• Biggest challenges with virtual teams—Physical distance, Communication and Honesty.
• Successful meetings start on time, time-boxed agenda, parking lot for tabled/controversial issues.
Results from Pearson
• Successful projects need clearly defined requirements, lots of planning, constant review of Plan, team members that work well together.
• Most beneficial thing about teams; building relationships that never existed.
• Least beneficial thing about teams; silo-building, competitiveness, toxicity within the group.
• Handling non-productive team members
–
Determine root cause– Assess if you can help (work-
related vs. personal).– Don’t be afraid to escalate the
issue– Reassign person to another
projectWorst case, terminate
Compares between Companies interviewed
The organizations seem to be alike
in many ways.
Examples are communication, and handle situations that arise in the same manners.
However they are different by the
way of managing meeting times correctly.
Lesson Learned
Although each organization is its own
but they tend to all run
things the same way.
Working as a team can be
a great help if you have
dedicated from each team member.
Lesson Learned
Team Discussion Board as our main
means of communication also proved to
have its challenges.
We needed to be devoted more
times to check the site than
we normally would have to.
Final Thoughts
Team members need to want to work hard, communicate often and clearly, and how important new technologies are working with team members located in different locations, cities, and or countries.
Conducting these interview gave us another insight how to work as a successful team member.