Virtual Teams - the Good, the Bad, and the Real Beauty

Brainstorming has proven to be an effective means of collaborating and generating ideas for different types of organization. Multiple research findings has also revealed that virtual teams (long distance teams) consistently outperform real teams (face-to-face teams) in brainstorming. While some believe innovative virtual collaboration delivers magical wonders, others still prefer the warm-fuzzy in-person interactions. This week's assigned articles pose some benefits and challenges associated with virtual teams as follows:

Benefits (the "Good")

• Embrace technological advancement by using collaboration tools to stimulate face-to-face interactions


• Complete project work under-budget and ahead of schedule, if managed properly


• Offer flexible work arrangements to employees


• Avoid air travel, lodging, and lengthy non-productive meetings


• Reduce commuting time and cost


• Promote environment-friendly work options


• Have information readily available from one's desktop


• Afford team members equal opportunity to contribute regardless of their physical location


• Empower innovative thinking through diversity in team members

Challenges (the "Bad")

• Require team leaders to put in extra effort in keeping their teams together


• Build and maintain trust among team members, given little face time and a diverse team membership


• Require team leaders to be creative in generating ideas, and effective in making decisions and resolving conflicts


• Ensure that availability, competency, consistency, fairness, openness, and commitment are not compromised


• Orchestrates conference calls, set expectations and accountability for team members


• Overcome organizational resistance to change regarding the new way of collaboration


• Win over individuals who prefer inventing themselves and developing their own work processes rather than collaborating with others


• Large meetings tend to be more informational and political in nature rather than collaborative

The real beauty in these "far flung" virtual teams lies in the ability of smart organizations in integrating new innovative technologies into their businesses. Collaboration tools such as video conferencing via Skype, web conferencing with screen-sharing, sharing online workspaces and applications via WebEx, have facilitated collaboration and fueled productivity. Recently, the improved security features have extended the applicability of virtual collaboration to military use. Like other work teams, successful virtual teams require an effective team composition. Core players include the Leader, the Brain, the Anchor, the Soldier, and occasionally the Freelancer. The Leader comes up with new ideas, sets up a plan, and holds the team together. Based on the ideas, the Brain creates strategy and develops action plans. The Anchor identifies potential problems at the onset. The Soldier executes the action plan with determination. The Freelancer who possesses specific skills is often brought in to fill an assigned role.

If organizations are willing and able to transition their workers to virtual offices, and that we can order groceries online and have them delivered to our door steps, and that we can purchase food tablets (such as pizza, chicken, etc.) and turn them into real food in our high-tech ovens (just like the movie Back to the Future), then we may not have to leave our house at all!

Sources:
Beizer, Doug. "Collaboration Tools Are Ready For the Battlefield." Government Computer News -- Government Computer News. 1 Mar. 2005. Web. 10 Mar. 2010.

"How to Pick Your Million Dollar Crew Mind of a Hustler." Welcome to the Mind of a Hustler. Web. 10 Mar. 2010.

Kostner, Jaclyn. "6 Ways to Build Trust with Your Virtual Team." Web Meeting Conferencing Web Meeting: Web Conferencing. Web. 10 Mar. 2010.

Lipnack, Jessica, and Jeffrey Stamps. "The Strange Beauty of Virtual Teams - Jessica Lipnack & Jeffrey Stamps." Business Development Strategy Milestone Group. Oct. 2007. Web. 10 Mar. 2010.

"Michael Sampson: The Implementation of Collaboration Tools Does Not Require a Change in Culture." Michael Sampson: Independent Advisory Services on Collaboration Strategy. 16 Oct. 2007. Web. 10 Mar. 2010.

Sebastio, Nuno. "Brainstorming? Try doing it virtually." Endless Knots. 03 Dec. 2007. Web. 10 Mar. 2010.

Visser, Gerrit. "Coworking Is (also) : Working Together Online." Smart Mobs. 19 Mar. 2010. Web. 10 Mar. 2010