In the last post I described an example of a co-located team functioning effectively across time, which can create its own kind of distance. In their book The Distance Manager, Kimball Fisher and Mareen Duncan Fisher identify six different types of virtual teams based on different combinations of time, distance and culture. I will address cultural differences within teams in a future post and here list Kimball Fisher and Mareen Duncan Fisher’s suggestions for functioning effectively depending on different combinations of time and location.
Teams sharing space, functioning in different times.
Examples include tele-service teams, warehouse teams and factory teams.
- Use the shared space to house collaborative tools. This may be as simple as a whiteboard to share important messages or as elaborate as charts and documents containing information all team members need to know.
- Use the shared space to create a sense of identity. The furniture and decor of a space conveys a lot about the persona of a team. If the decor is impersonal or unkempt, it is harder for people who rarely meet each other face-to-face to overcome this. If the team is working in a factory or warehouse, a small lounge or kitchen area can serve this function. Allowing team members to post things on the wall to personalize the space can make a big difference for teams functioning across time to feel like a team.
- Posting goals, timelines and milestones in the shared reminds team members that they are part of something they are working towards collectively. Also it provides metrics that help inform each other on the progress they are making.
- Communicating across time for co-located teams can be accomplished via shift overlap, an information repository, or through a small number of people functioning as information coordinators. This functions easier if information can be collected ahead of time using any number of web-based tools (see xxx)
Teams working across time and location:
Examples include teams working in different time zones: global teams, inter-organizational projects or large organizations with distributed locations
- Effective use of communication technologies is very important
- A good start up is critical
- Some face-to-face time is desirable
- Opportunities to share information informally facilitates relationship-building which helps to get work done. An informal virtual “chat room” is a helpful tool.
- Set up a virtual team space – an integrated website, social networking site and wiki
Teams operating within the same time frame at different locations:
Examples include local sales teams and regional services teams.
- Set up regular meetings using conferencing technology
- As teams working within the same time zone are usually close enough to come together without prohibitive costs, a monthly or quarterly face-to-face meeting is feasible. At this time topics that are better accomplished in face-to-face settings can be addressed.
References and Links:
The Distance Manager, Kimball Fisher and Mareen Duncan Fisher
