There are an estimated one billion virtual workers in 2012, and the number is expected to continue climbing well into the future. With a global workforce you are provided with a cost effective and talented pool of employees to draw from. With a virtual team you are given a Follow the Sun production environment.

With a virtual team you have the normal issues of a localized team, with the additional challenges of distance and cultural differences. Virtual Team Building And Management will give you participants the knowledge to work with these challenges and succeed in a growing global workforce.

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Know the keys to establishing a virtual team
• Learn how to hold effective meetings and group sessions
• Learn effective ways to communicate with team members
• Use tools to build trust and confidence among employees
• Know how to handle poor performing employees
• Know how to manage a virtual team during any project

Course Outline:

Module One: Getting Started

Housekeeping Items

The Parking Lot

Workshop Objectives

Pre-Assignment

Action Plans and Evaluations

Module Two: Setting Up Your Virtual Team (I) 

Choose Self-Motivated People with Initiative

Face to Face Meeting At First

Diversity Will Add Value

Experienced with Technology

Case Study

Module Two: Review Questions

Module Three: Setting Up Your Virtual Team (II) 

Personality Can Count as Much as Skills

Rules of Engagement

Setting up Ground Rules

Icebreakers and Introductions

Case Study

Module Three: Review Questions

Module Four: Virtual Team Meetings

Scheduling Will Always be an Issue

Have a Clear Objective and Agenda

Solicit Additional Topics in Advance

Discourage Just Being Status Reports

Case Study

Module Five: Communication (I) 

Early and Often

Rules of Responsiveness

Face to Face When Possible

Choose the Best Tool

Case Study

Module Five: Review Questions

Module Six: Communication (II) 

Be Honest and Clear

Stay in Constant Contact

Don’t Make Assumptions

Setup Email Protocols

Case Study

Module Six: Review Questions

Module Seven: Building Trust 

Trust Your Team and They Will Trust You

Be Aware of “Us vs. Them” Territorial Issues

Share Best Practices

Create a Sense of Ownership

Case Study

Module Seven: Review Questions

Module Eight: Cultural Issues 

Respect and Embrace Differences

Be Aware of Different Work Styles

Know Your Team Members Cultural Background

Dealing With Stereotypes

Case Study

Module Eight: Review Questions

Module Nine: To Succeed With a Virtual Team

Set Clear Goals

Create a SOP’s

Build a Team Culture

Provide Timely Feedback

Case Study

Module Nine: Review Questions

Module Ten: Dealing With Poor Team Players 

Manage Their Results, Not Their Activities

Be Proactive Not of Reactive

Check in Often

Remove Them

Case Study

Module Ten: Review Questions

Module Eleven: Choosing the Right Tools 

Communication Software

Collaboration and Sharing Tools

Project Management Software

Use Whatever Works for You and Your Team

Case Study

Module Eleven: Review Questions

Module Twelve: Wrapping Up 

Words from the Wise

Review of Parking Lot

Lessons Learned

Completion of Action Plans and Evaluations