I was not expecting to be fully engaged on the call - I was
only expecting to be an observer. Through Lee and Claire's skill in
generating interaction I become fully engaged. It was the best on-line
session that I have ever experienced.
Dr. Vafa Ram
Head of Training Solutions Development for SITA/Equant |
Virtual Team Certificate Program
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 save costs, boost corporate productivity and bring about new levels of job satisfaction.
 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 this series will teach you. Each session is 2 hours in duration. At the conclusion of this Certificate, you will leave with practical ways to communicate effectively within a virtual team setting.
Session 1-The Communication Connection: Getting it Right-part one
Whether communicating with the person in the next office or across the world, virtual working is the norm of the 21st century. Managing the pressures and challenges of this emerging business environment requires new procedures, protocols and effective communications.
In this two part series, learners will acquire the real-world working skills to deliver results across multi-site environments. You will learn to manage the human communications that are necessary for collaboration by using the DiSC Behavioral Profile. An innovative approach to behavioral insight, DiSC not only uncovers unique personality traits of those profiled, this session gives participants practical solutions for interacting more effectively with different behavioral styles from a distance.
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to …
- 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.
Session 2- Identifying Behavioral Styles and Making Them Work For You-part two
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.
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to …
- Identify three key questions you can use to identify people’s styles.
- Develop strategies for adapting your behaviour to others on your team.
Session 3 – Making Norms the Norm
In a virtual team setting it is critical to have guidelines for how your team is going to work together. These guidelines are often called a Team Operating Agreement.
A team operating agreement defines the set of behavioral norms that the team agrees to abide by. It guides the team’s actions and interactions. Geographic, ethnic and cultural differences can impact the effectiveness of how individuals and teams operate. Creating a Team Operating Agreement will minimize the potential for conflict and increase the understanding and tolerance of the entire team. This session will provide you with the tools to create a Team Operating Agreement.
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to …
- Describe the role that expectations play and how to manage them.
- Analyze how a Team Operating Agreement can help build a cohesive team.
- Define the components of a Team Operating Agreement.
- List a six step process to creating a Team Operating Agreement
Session 4 - Leading a Virtual Team: Same Game, Different Rules
Virtual teams, by nature, provide the opportunity for businesses to take advantage of globalized expertise, opinions, and strategy. The workplace is truly becoming borderless, and working with geographically-dispersed people can be extremely beneficial to an organization. However, successfully working and communicating across borders requires an understanding of who’s on the other side.
Taking advantage of and understanding diversity within today’s business community as a whole, and indeed within geographically-dispersed virtual teams, is absolutely critical to success. This session will look at effective ways to create, sustain and enhance a culturally dispersed work team.
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to …
- 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.
- Develop the guidelines by which your team will operate.
Session 5 - Leading a Virtual Team: Same Game, Different Rules
Making and managing the transition from traditional models of organizational operations to a geographically-dispersed model requires exceptional interpersonal skills, strong leadership abilities and technology skills. Virtual teams have unique needs which require new leadership and management skills that go beyond those used in collocated teams. Key requirements of managing virtual teams include the need for a culture that motivates individuals who work remotely and the means to develop trust among distant workers.
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.
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to …
- 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.
Session 6 - Technology Tips for Virtual Teams
Technology can be scary! Employees are expected to understand and use a variety of software, systems and computer set-ups that are a constant presence in the business environment …but often with little or no formal training. This session will provide the top tips for virtual teams to use computer-based or web-enabled tools for maximum productivity and participation. This is a non-technical course, specifically geared to those who do not work within the information technology field.
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to …
- 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 maximally productive.
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