Virtual Teams

Guys - I have been "in managment" for

Guys - I have been "in managment" for 20 years, and your show hits it on the head. Really enjoying my half hour trip to work of a day listening to the show - real food for thought and action. Keep it up.

Steve

Steve- Thanks for the kind words!

Steve-

Thanks for the kind words! We try very hard to "hit it on the head" - and sometimes, Mike actually DOES hit me on the head to make sure we're addressing issues that everybody faces regularly. Keep up the feedback as well!

Mark

FOlks, I do 100% agreed withthe

FOlks,

I do 100% agreed withthe three steps to be implemented to make virtual teams work. Specifically to spend money at least in the inital phase of any team for face-to-face interactions helps a greta deal. I am working with and in virtual teams since more than ten years across continents (US, Europe, Asia) and cultures. Right now I am responsible for a project across CHina, India and Germany. The only poin I would add here from my experience is, that one has to take time zones into consideration in the set-up and pay special attention to the different cultures: There ar ecultures that go along more easy than others and if flexibility is there, one shouldn't force fit wildly the extremes.

You mentioned providing some tools on

You mentioned providing some tools on the web site for holding a team meeting (e.g., ways to have people introduce themselves). I don't see these tools posted yet -- or have I just missed them?

Thanks for your very practical and helpful advice. I am really enjoying your podcasts.

I am very interested in reviewing these

I am very interested in reviewing these techniques/tools having people introduce themselves. Any ETA for the listing or will this be included in an upcoming podcast?

Gary and Deblin- Sorry this took a

Gary and Deblin-

Sorry this took a bit. We'll be posting a one page pdf walk through of how to structure an "introductions" team meeting within 24 hours. I've used it for years. Some people initially think it's corny, but do NOT let that worry you - they will say it was the best part of the session.

It's my favorite simple (and sneakily good) tool.

It's a privilege to serve you.

Mark

Great podcast - would love to see notes

Great podcast - would love to see notes for this posted as a take-away.

Thanks

Excellent!

Excellent! Thanks!

Thanks Paul! It's a privilege to

Thanks Paul!

It's a privilege to serve you.

Mark

Hey, I am a new listener and

Hey,
I am a new listener and appreciate the job you are doing and will continue to grasp the knowledge you are supplying to the industry.
I just finished listening to your podcast on Virtual teams. Lot's of interesting ideas and challenges that I see are in front of my organization. I am fortunate enough to have had a offsite during January 2006 paid by the company that allowed my whole organization to travel and do some of the items you mentioned. Getting to know them face to face and watch the team interact during that time I strongly feel has already helped the group.
I have a lot to learn but already see steps to try to make my leadership and team better.
Thanks,
Brad

Mark, I do not see the "one page pdf

Mark,
I do not see the "one page pdf walk through of how to structure an 'introductions' team meeting." You wrote in your 11/17 comment that it would be posted? Has it been posted?

Thank you both for all your insight!

We probably misspoke on the podcast ...

We probably misspoke on the podcast ... although we didn't publish a PDF with the introductory team meeting structure, we did post the structure in the show notes themselves. You'll find the notes in the Registered Users Podcast section (see sidebar near the top), under the December Members-Only podcast.

Sorry for any confusion!

regards,
Mike

Mike: I'm looking for a Mike Auzenne

Mike:

I'm looking for a Mike Auzenne that I served with in 7-8FA in the late 80's.

Is that you out there Mike (HB)?

If not, please accept my apologies for using this forum to track a friend.

David Mullins (HB)

Yep, just listened to one of your

Yep, just listened to one of your broadcasts - that's you HB. Email me your phone number and I will call ASAP!

New tag line for Manager Tools ... Army

New tag line for Manager Tools ... Army buddy reunion central. Cool! You bet I'll email you!

Just found your Podcast, and am slowly

Just found your Podcast, and am slowly working my way through them. Right now I am slectively chosing a few. The Virtual Team podcast really struck home, because that is what I was just doing, plus I now work for a firm that leverages offshore resources.

You referred to a PowerPoint presentation, but I can not find it. Can I get a copy?

Great shows!

Paul

I loved this Podcast, however I am also

I loved this Podcast, however I am also searching for the PowerPoint presentation that was referred to in the Podcast.

Thanks and keep up the great work!
Ra Nae

Paul- Our apologies. For quite some

Paul-

Our apologies. For quite some time, we've been wondering what people were referring to regarding a PowerPoint, because we always thought we had referred to the introductory exercise. Well, I listened, and you were right, we DID say we would post it, which is unusual for us. We will post the PowerPoint as a pdf over the weekend.

The introductory exercise, by the way, is available to registered members. If you are registered, go to that section of the website and look for the December 2005 cast. The text there is a detailed description of the show/exercise - my favorite manager tool!

Thanks for keeping us on our toes, and for the kind words. It's a privilege to do this for you.

Mark

Ra Nae- Hopefully you've seen my

Ra Nae-

Hopefully you've seen my posted apology. I had promised it this weekend, but now that's only 70% probable because my schedule changed. Worst case, Monday night.

Glad you like the show!

Mark

Guys, This is my first time on the

Guys,

This is my first time on the website, but I want to say that I have listen and taken tedious notes on the first 5 Pod Casts I have listened to. I have only been a District Sales Manager for 10 months, and your wealth of knowledge has been a life saver. My MBA has been a wonderful foundation of knowledge, but you guys, give me "in the trenches" usable information.

I have not listened to it yet, but this Pod Cast on Virtual Teams should be very good for me. I manage a team of 9, remote sales reps across the Western United States (25 states) and staying in touch with them is a huge challenge. As I listened to the PC on "The Single Most Effective Manager Tool," I was challenged with how to conduct these weekly one-on-ones with a sales staff that travels heavily, 3-4 days a week.

Any tips you have in regard to my particular situation is greatly appreciated. Also, as you move forward with future Pod Casts, I would greatly appreciate you making comments about how certain strategies and tools should be altered if a person manages a team that is totally remote.

Once again....Thanks a ton for your passion to improve management.

John

John- Thanks for all the kind words.

John-

Thanks for all the kind words. You're the kind of person we're doing this for - someone who cares about being an effective managers and knows what they don't know.

We'll keep your situation in mind as we progress. Sorry that so many casts are already in the can.

Mark

This reply comes long after the fact,

This reply comes long after the fact, as I'm playing catch-up on old podcasts.
But I'm following up on Clas' post. There's a book I read a few years ago and have recommended to several colleagues, referring to the technical and the cultural challenges of global teams.
"Global Software Teams: Collaborating Across Borders and Time Zones" by Erran Carmel.

This was a great podcast, I am catching

This was a great podcast, I am catching up on old podcasts, I can't find the supporting materials as mentioned in the podcast, is there a link to them on the site?

Hi guys, I is ANISE from Brisbane

Hi guys, I is ANISE from Brisbane downunder. I have just listened to this pod cast for the third time in 2 years, and now I finally have a team to manage!! About 4 years ago I left my job and began my own business, operating as a sole trader. It is quite fashionable to do that in Australia - not sure what it is like in the US? Anyway I soon reached capacity, and spent a long time pondering what to do. I worked from home, so bringing someone into the home was kind of ok, and moving to a shop location would have added huge overheads to the business. As a mum, I was also only working 20 hours on/in the business. Eventually I worked out a virtual team was the way to go. Everyone working with me now is a mum (& a qualified accountant and trainer), so our time is very precious. I can send assignments / work projects via the internet and they can work on them in their own time. I also book client visits in their area, and they visit, fill out time sheets and send them back. Some ladies may only work 4 hours a week for me, but they can earn a decent hourly rate. (AND they are at home raising their child which I think is really important for society as a whole) The team has not met yet (Bad ANISE!) but I will endeavour to arrange something shortly. I especially like your tip about sending a week’s summary/round up to everyone; this will also hopefully enhance their ‘business’ confidence, as sometimes we lose our self a little when we have kids. I personally feel I have invested many hours in training them, and enhancing a team spirit, will benefit all concerned, and hopefully keep them with my business for the long term. I am off to search the internet for a web camera...goodbye from downunder.

Anise- Well done you! More and more

Anise-

Well done you! More and more work will be done your way in the future.

Mark