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Virtual Teams: People Working Across Boundaries with Technology
Jessica Lipnack , and Jeffrey Stamps Manufacturer: Wiley ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0471388254 |
Book Description
Praise for the First Edition of Virtual TeamsCustomer Reviews:
Useful, but some fluff.......2003-09-28
I found the book to be a slow read, with nuggets of information separated by deserts of fluff. The first half of the book is filled with vague ramblings about how the information age has changed the way that teams work and with case studies that illustrate how the forming of virtual teams has helped various companies solve difficult problems.
In the second half, the book begins to pick up. In a chapter entitled "Teaming with People" the authors discuss team dynamics, including essential roles with a team, how teams form and which aspects of team dynamics are especially subject to the stresses of distance communication.
The authors suggest that the beginning and closing phases of most projects are the most stressful on team members and that extra effort be exerted at the beginning phase of the project to bring the core project team members together, even if they are geographically separated. This, say the authors, will help build interpersonal relationships that can hold the team together in times of stress.
There are several optimum team sizes. 3 to 5 is the size of a core team, 5 to 25 the size of a "team family" and 25 to 200 the size of a "team camp". In the authors' opinion, any team larger than 5 people will naturally divide into sub-teams.
The authors also point out the value of rewarding teams. Making teams compete, or making them completely independent of one another has little value for the company. Cooperative goals can encourage and motivate all of the teams, while competition can demoralize them.
Finally, the authors talk about starting up teams and provide a checklist of some elements such as a customer and a management sponsor which are essential to any team's success.
Overall, I found the book to have some good information on forming and maintaining teams, and what to do when those teams are not located in the same physical location. There is some fluff, I feel, and the book could easily be half its current length without sacrificing much.
Aphoristic.......2001-10-01
Highly Recommended!.......2001-07-11
"Teamwork" Re-defined for New Realities.......2001-04-06
The authors organize their excellent material within 14 chapters whose individual titles indicate each chapter's perspective on virtual teams: Why, Networks, Teams, Trust, Place, Time, Purpose, people, Links, Launch, Navigate, Theory, Think, and Future. I agree that a virtual team "is a group of people who work interdependently with a shared purpose across space, time, and organization boundaries." Nonetheless, I still have some quibbles about the authors' sequence of subject matter (not with the content itself) and am still convinced that cooperation between and among members of virtual teams is even more difficult than it is between and among those within physical boundaries. Moreover, my own rather extensive experience with all manner of corporate clients suggests that the most formidable barriers are between two ears. If you have some serious human barriers in your own organization, I urge you to check out O'Dell and Grayson's immensely thoughtful and practical book, If Only We Knew What We Know.
But please keep in mind that even if O'Dell, Grayson, Lipnack, and Stamps were retained to create virtual teams for your organization, unless and until everyone else involved buys into the enterprise, the results would be abysmal. Hence the importance of several points which Lipnack and Stamps make in the final chapter, notably the absolutely essential need for trust. "A presumption of trust enables a successful strategy of collaboration [enables everyone involved] to be better innovators, competitors, and survivors....If purpose is the glue, trust is the grease." I agree.
Of course, no single volume such as this can provide all the right answers but Lipnack and Stamps raise most (if not all) of the most important questions. Their answers seem sensible and practical. Of course, decision-makers must decide what the nature, extent, and duration of a virtual relationship should be in their organization at any given time. The authors do provide an excellent source of information and insight which can help virtually (pun intended) any organization increase cooperation and collaboration across boundaries through the effective use of various technologies. Especially, in this age of accelerating globalization, most organizations need all the help they can get.
Practical Ideas for Boundary-Crossing Teams.......2000-10-15
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Working Virtually: Managing People for Successful Virtual Teams and Organizations
Trina Hoefling Manufacturer: Stylus Publishing ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 157922069X |
Book Description
Virtual working is a fact of life as companies manage teams of individuals dispersed on sites across the country or around the globe; take increasing advantage of improving technology and software to telecommute and teleconference; and begin to think about the human element in disaster recovery.Customer Reviews:
An excellent, clearly written and positive instructional.......2003-10-10
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Virtual Teams That Work: Creating Conditions for Virtual Team Effectiveness
Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0787961620 |
Book Description
Virtual Teams That Work offers a much-needed, comprehensive guidebook for business leaders and managers who want to create the organizational conditions that will help virtual teams thrive. Each chapter in this important book focuses on best practices and includes case studies and illustrative examples from a wide variety of companies, including British Petroleum, Lucent Technologies, Ramtech, SoftCo, and Whirlpool Corporation. These real-life examples demonstrate how the principles identified in the book play out within virtual teams. Virtual Teams That Work shows how organizations can put in place the structure to help team members who speak different languages and have different cultural values develop effective ways of communicating when there is little opportunity for the members to meet face-to-face. The authors also reveal how organizations can implement performance management and reward systems that will motivate team members to cooperate across multiple boundaries. And they offer the information to determine which technologies best fit a variety of virtual-team tasks and the level of information technology support needed.
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Virtual Teams: Reaching Across Space, Time, and Organizations With Technology
Jessica Lipnack , and Jeffrey Stamps Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0471165530 |
Amazon.com
Teams have become an increasingly important part of business success. The creation of virtual teams with members geographically scattered but electronically connected has set many companies on fire. Yet for all their power and flexibility, virtual teams face greater obstacles than traditional teams do. Organizational networking experts Jessica Lipnack and Jeffrey Stamps provide the keys to successful virtual teams, showing how to harness their potential while avoiding their many potential pitfalls. The many case studies offered are particularly enlightening as the authors demonstrate the techniques, mechanics, and communications required to build the virtual teams that supercharge an enterprise.Customer Reviews:
A "must-have" for any consultant........1997-09-24
Simultaneously Fundamental and Visionary..........1997-09-10
In discourse with a fellow business consultant we bantered about the topic of Lipnack and Stamps latest book (of which I had received an advance copy). He said: "Unfortunately, Lipnack and Stamps(L&S) have been 10 years ahead of the curve with their understanding of the importance of networking."
"But," I replied, "With the book 'Virtual Teams' they offer the world-wide-race-to-the-Internet a well needed moment of reflection-during which they offer PURPOSE to connecting and give virtual teaming DEFINITION and DIRECTION." And the banter continued but we both agreed and got tingles as our chat echoed the truth of their statement:
"Communication technologies and computer networks-in particular the Internet-are underwriting this moment of pregnant potential." (p 240)
"You know," I concluded, "It's a good thing they (L&S) were ahead of their time-otherwise we would not have the language to discuss our 'interdependence' symptoms, to test our 'distributed business' hypothesis', and to realize how much responsibilty it is to be 'pregnant' with potential! Really! The capabilities and expectations we have to manage in these Internet days... how exciting, how dangerous! After all, 'net potential, without 'net performance is just predisposed waste, don't you agree?"
"Yeah, yeah Paula,--yadda, yadda, yadda; 'net, 'net, 'net...enough philosophy-so, should I read the book or not?"
"Go for it." I replied. "This book is not just an electronic blip about the latest fad of virtual teams- it is a study on careful communication, on planning and developing valuable distributed business relationships...a book to be savored and re-read over time."
(BTW --Mine is already all dog-eared and worn!)
Be prepared to THINK DEEP; when you read this book, SIP it SLOWLY and --ENJOY!
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Fifth Generation Management, Dynamic Teaming, Virtual Enterprising and Knowledge Networking
Charles Savage Manufacturer: Butterworth-Heinemann ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0750697016 |
Book Description
This revised edition of Fifth Generation Management helps executives out of the rigid mindsets of the Industrial Era into the vibrant and invigorating possibilities of co-creation in the Knowledge Era.
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Managing in Virtual Organizations
Malcolm Warner , and Morgen Witzel Manufacturer: Int. Cengage Business Press ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: 1861529848 |
Book Description
The virtual organization is a new and dynamic form of organization which is threatening to challenge more conventional forms of business organization. The benefits of this form of working are enormous, but these organizations can be very complex to manage. Managing in Virtual Organizations explores and simplifies the challenges of managing virtually and explains how the virtual firm can best be employed. Starting from the basic building blocks of these organizations - technology, knowledge and virtual `space' - the book conceptualises virtual organizations as human, knowledge-based organizations enabled but not dominated by technology, and looks at the three-way interaction between people, knowledge and machines. In particular the book considers knowledge, its nature and role in organizations, and how it is managed; at how technology functions as a tool of virtual organizations, and how people can be managed in virtual terms. It then reflects on the use of the virtual organization as a strategic option, how general managers of virtual organizations should be trained, how they should operate, and the new skills they require. This will be a key text for undergraduate, postgraduate and MBA modules on virtual management, knowledge management, and management information systems, and highly recommended on organizational behaviour and strategy modules at all levels. It will also be ideal reading for managers who need to know about the issues involved with managing virtual organizations.
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Human Resouce Management in Virtual Organizations (HC) (Research in Human Resource Management)
Manufacturer: Information Age Publishing ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 1930608179 |
Book Description
CONTENTS: PART I: INTRODUCTION. Robert L. Heneman, The Ohio State University. PART II: STRATEGY. Defining Virtual Organizations and Implications for Human Resource Management. David B. Greenberger and Monica Wang, Ohio State University. HR Strategy in Virtual Organizations. Marc Wallace and Fred Crandall, Center for Workforce Effectiveness. Outsourcing Human Resources. Brian Klaas, University of South Carolina. Role of HR Professional in Virtual Organizations. Dave Ulrich and Dick Beatty, University of Michigan. Virtual HR Departments. Scott Snell, Pennsylvania State University. PART III: PROCESS. Job Analysis and Competency Assessment. Kathy DeCaprio, Microsoft. Recruitment and Bill Mobley, Personnel Decision International. Selection, Jill Ellingson, Ohio State University. Training and Development. Ray Noe, Ohio State University. Performance Management. Jan Cleveland, Pennsylvania State University. Compensation. Robert L. Heneman and Judy Tansky, The Ohio State University. Negotiations. Roy Lewicki, Ohio State University. PART IV: CASES. AT&T/Bank One/IBM Virtual Organization. David Greenberger, Ohio State University and Glenn Swift, Bank One. Ericsson Cellular. Zhong-Ming Wang, Zhejiang University, China. SONY. Mark Wallace and Fred Crandall, Center for Workforce Effectiveness. PART V: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS. Robert L. Heneman, The Ohio State University.
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Managing and Developing People in the Virtual Organization (Professional Practices in Adult Education and Human Resource Development Series)
Deborah Lavin Colky , Michael T. Colky , and William H. Young Manufacturer: Kieger Publishing Co. ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: 1575240807 |
Book Description
As our business world becomes increasingly virtual, we are asked to meet the challenge of managing and developing those who work within this organizational structure. This book presents a customer-driven performance model for measuring performance of employees who are not co-located. Case studies illustrate the unique issues that managers of virtual workers face on a daily basis. The book is full of information and strategies to enable adult educators and human resource professionals to work within the virtual world in a more effective manner.
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Managing Imaginary Organizations (Advanced Series in Management)
Manufacturer: Pergamon ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: 0080439160 |
Book Description
Hardbound. Traditionally, organizations have consisted of collections of people who physically gather together in one place to carry out some kind of coordinated activity. Today, however, business is increasingly relying on "virtual" processes in which people engage in internet-mediated interactions that often span the globe. These processes create intangible "imaginary organizations" that exist largely as a concept in the minds of electronically interacting individuals. As more and more high value-added work is performed by knowledge workers interacting through electronically mediated networks, however, managers and management researchers must evolve new concepts for monitoring, interpreting, assessing, and managing activities carried out in such virtual settings. This volume presents an important multidisciplinary approach to understanding these new kinds of imaginary organizations and their processes. Close reading of the papers in this volume will rew
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Mastering Virtual Teams: Strategies, Tools, and Techniques That Succeed
Deborah L. Duarte , and Nancy Tennant Snyder Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0787941832 |
Amazon.com
Office face-time may always play a critical role in certain corporate settings, but technology and globalization have combined to thrust "virtual meetings" into an increasingly important place on today's overall business stage. With once-rigid boundaries of time, geography, and even organization now rapidly disappearing, members of almost any workplace team can communicate and collaborate regardless of physical location. How to do so most effectively? Deborah L. Duarte, assistant professor at George Washington University, and Nancy Tennant Snyder, chief learning officer for Whirlpool Corporation, outline suggestions applicable to large and small organizations alike in Mastering Virtual Teams. Designed for those who work in--as well as lead--such teams, it is divided into sections that focus on their unique inherent complexities, their creation, and their operation. Real-life examples and the authors' experienced observations are complemented by an abundance of helpful checklists and practical exercises. --Howard RothmanBook Description
MASTERING VIRTUAL TEAMS is the only book with a truly practical focus for leaders of virtual and global teams; it lays out specific guidelines, exercises, strategies and best practices for virtual team leaders and offers solutions for the unique challenges of working cross-culturally and cross-functionally.Brief Description: Over 80% of today's companies use virtual teams, and these teams need practical information about working successfully. This book provides practical tools and advice on how to lead and be a member of a virtual team. Geographic expansion and globalization of corporations has been a widespread phenomenon; however, after strategies and structure are put into place, many organizations find that achieving business objectives relies on teamwork among people from different parts of the company, and from different cultures, in different locations. These teams must work across distance, time, and organizational boundaries to leverage intellectual capital and apply it as quickly as possible. These often-global project teams do not operate according to team models designed for teams that reside in the same location-the competencies demanded of team members differ, and team leaders are responsible for managing the task itself, as well as a new complex set of issues such as managing time, differences in culture, and ways of doing business.
Download Description
This third edition of the best-selling resource Mastering Virtual Teamsoffers a toolkit for leaders and members of virtual teams. Deborah L. Durate and Nancy Tennant Snyder include updated guidelines, strategies, and best practices for working effectively with virtual teams across time and distance to see a project through. The useful tools, exercises, and real-life examples show how anyone can master the unique dynamics of virtual team participation in an environment where the old rules no longer apply.Customer Reviews:
Pretty good, but do you really need to read a book to figure this out?.......2007-03-10
Another Human Resource Book with no Business case.......2001-11-03
Not great prose, but thorough coverage.......2001-03-27
Interspersed are jewels of wisdom. For example: communication and collaboration are the two most important factors in team success; sometimes it's better to wait until team members get to know one another as dependable and competent before initiating in-depth team building; trust depends on performance and competence, integrity, and concern for the well-being of others; information overload can slow down a team's decision-making process. I was pleased to find they documented that video conferencing requires a different skill set than running regular meetings.
I sometimes yearned for more real life stories and persuasive arguments, in other words, a less formulaic style. But that's my bias as a reader and not their intent.
Excellent overview of technology and techniques.......1999-08-03
Great balance of high level strategy detailed operations........1999-05-21
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