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.