Athena Training and Consulting

The world as we know it is becoming a smaller place. Teams are more and more dispersed and yet required to communicate just as they did when they were side by side or face to face. We all have challenges that need to be addressed, such as: doing more with less, having faster turnaround in all that we do, cost cutting and bring more value to our customers.
In order to meet some those challenges listed above, one needs to face the realities and problems that are hindering our efforts to reach our desired goals.

·   Are we truly managing our team’s expectations?
·   Are our meetings as effective as they should be?
·   Are we still spending too much on travel?
·   Is the flow of our internal communication as fluid as it ought to be?
·   Are we meeting those deadlines?
This is where we can help you with our Virtual Programs and Services

VIRTUAL TEAM BUILDERS COURSE DESCRIPTION
Business environments are changing. Fueled by international competition, technological advancements and alternative work practices, organizations are embracing virtual team structures at an unprecedented rate.
Virtual teams:
1)   save costs,
2)   boost corporate productivity and
3)   bring about new levels of job efficiencies.

Making and managing the transition from traditional models of organizational operations to a geographically-dispersed mode requires exceptional interpersonal skills, strong leadership abilities, and the ability to communicate with diverse cultures… capabilities these sessions will teach you.

Our programs are taught in one of three ways or a combination of them:
1) In-class
2) Synchronously (on-line)
3) Asynchronously (recorded)

Course Descriptions

Module 1 (part I) - The Communication Connection: Getting it Right.
In this session we will determine our behavioral style and identify the strengths and challenges we bring to the team.
·   Determine the goals of the DiSC behavioral profile.
·   Identify the characteristics of each behavioral style.
·   Describe the strengths and challenges each style brings to the team.

Module 1 (part II) – Identifying Behavioral Styles and Making Them Work For You
At the end of this session you will be able to identify how to identify and adapt our behavioral style to people on our team.
·   Identifying and adapting to the teams behaviors
·   Identify three key questions you can use to recognize people’s styles
·   Develop strategies for adapting your behavior to others on your team

Module 2 – Making Norms the Norm (TOA)
In a virtual team setting it is critical to have guidelines for how your team is going to work together. These guidelines are called a “Team Operating Agreement”.
A Team Operating Agreement defines the set of behavioral norms that the team agrees to abide by. This session will focus on creating rules of engagement.
·   Describe the role that expectations play and how to manage them
·   Analyze how a TOA can help build a cohesive team
·   Define the components of a Team Operating Agreement
·   List an eight step process to creating a Team Operating Agreement
·   Develop the guidelines by which your team will operate

Module 3 – Harnessing the Power or Cultural Diversity
This session will look at effective ways to create, sustain and enhance a culturally dispersed work team.
·   Clarify influences that shape perspectives within a virtual team
·   Describe strategies to overcome cultural barriers
·   Identify how diverse perspectives can improve organizational performance in virtual teams

Module 4 - Leading a Virtual Team: Same Game, Different Rules
This session focuses on how to maximize your virtual team management skills and build the capabilities necessary to create a team environment which fosters continuity, growth and learning.
·   Identify the leadership skills necessary to succeed as a virtual team leader and member
·   Clarify how to implement these leadership skills
·   Define why trust is important to a successful team and how to get it

Module 5 -Technology Tips for Virtual Teams
Technology can be scary! Here you learn the top tips for virtual teams to use web-enabled tools for maximum productivity and participation.
·   Identify and share best practice use of various technologies for optimal virtual team communication
·   Incorporate best practice use of various technologies for keeping virtual team work productive
·   Learn what you need to know to better understand and use a variety of software, systems and computer set-ups that are a constant presence in all business environments
(This is a non-technical course, specifically geared to those who do not work within the information technology field.)

Module 6 - Meet me in Cyberspace
Virtual meetings are the lifeblood of the remote team. In order to be effective, these meetings must be well organized, efficient and structured. This 2 hour on-line session details techniques for optimizing any virtual meeting.
·   Identify the skills needed to effectively facilitate a virtual team meeting
·   Determine the three main challenges to facilitating an effective virtual meeting
·   Develop 5 techniques to improve interactivity and involvement on a teleconference

Module 7 - Bridging the Distance: Team Energizers

Virtual Teamwork is critical in today's fast paced, dynamic environment. Yet, getting people to work together towards a common goal is one of the most challenging tasks faced by Managers. This session will enable managers to build a strong team foundation using virtual team energizers.
·   Discover virtual team communication techniques
·   Experience 5 team energizers
·   Discuss how team energizers can help build collaboration

Our Process

Step one:
Prior to the training our team will conduct a survey and a series of interviews with a portion of your staff, who will be attending the on-line session. This will ensure that the Virtual Team Builders solutions that are provided will be customized to meet your unique requirements.

The Needs Assessment and Interview Methodology

Here’s how it all happens:
1)   All training participants are asked to complete a short needs assessment.
2)   The participants are asked to pick their top three virtual team issues/concerns from a VTB list and to briefly explain their reasoning.
3)   VTB in conjunction with your organization selects 20% to 40% of the participants to partake in one-on-one interviews. We do this in order to ensure the accuracy of the data collected in the surveys.
4)   Survey and interview data is then analyzed. Upon evaluating the findings, VTB will put together a full feedback report detailing those findings and a proposed recommendation action plan.

Virtual Team Builders will handle all communications and coordinating activities with approval of the company’s team leader.

Sample Needs Assessment Questions

What do you need to do to become a more efficient virtual team?
Please circle or highlight your top 3 areas of concern or challenges, which are critical
to the success of your virtual team.
¨   1. Greater trust between team members in different locations
¨   2. Better assessment of how your virtual team is performing
¨   3. Better communication skills for team members
¨   4. More effective virtual team meetings
¨   5. Improved productivity for your team’s uses of technology

Step two:
We will then conduct the training based on the interview results.
During the training the following items are compliments of Virtual Team Builders:
1.   E-books (5 free with every session)
2.   Allow the on-line training to be recorded for future use

Step three:
We want to ensure that the material learned is retained. To that end we offer you 3 tools to ensure that the learning continues.

1. Virtual Team Simulation
VTB provides an experiential learning opportunity to practice and apply virtual team work skills and to reinforce your learning.

2. Leadership Forum
Being part of The Virtual Team Building Leadership Forum is a great opportunity for your organization’s leaders to connect with other leaders and to continue the learning. Through its network of experienced directors and managers, VTB gives you the opportunity to discuss the challenges and virtual concerns that you may be facing. You will be able to explore solutions to those challenges with other leaders.

3. Virtual Team Builders Membership

The VTB has been specifically developed to meet some of your organizational needs. It’s a way to keep you ahead of the pack. All members have access to our dedicated knowledge network and by joining the VTB membership program you will be supported and connected within this ever changing virtual business environment.

Over a one year period you will receive the following tools that will help you in your continuous efforts to excel in virtual team communications.
What you get:
·   Group Mentoring Sessions (30 minutes each)
·   VTB e-books
·   VTB CD
·   VTB Webinars
·   VTB Newsletters
·   VTB Tips

After the training the following items are compliments of Virtual Team Builders:
1.   Full client debriefing
2.   Electronic copy of key training points

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