Managing Remote Teams Training
Currently, one of the biggest challenges facing virtual teams is how to successfully work within that team. Teams that are geographically dispersed and primarily meet virtually – via webcast or conference call – present new sets of challenges.
Many team members have difficulty because they can not see what other members are doing. Even the most skilled managers find difficulty in communicating and building a team when there is no physical proximity.
In TrainSMART’s managing virtual teams course, participants will learn practical, easy-to-implement solutions to create a high-performance virtual team. With globalization a reality, this will become an even more common team dynamic.
Mastering the art of working in virtual teams will increase your team’s productivity.
It is even an opportunity to increase the freedom and flexibility of a team that works in the same office!
The Problem
- Managers are unclear on the key concepts to successfully managing a virtual team
- Virtual teams are unproductive, with a higher-than-usual turnover rate
- Friction within the team or between teams
- Challenges with virtual teams
- Frequent miscommunication or non-communication between team members causes unnecessary stress and re-work
- Poor relationships on the team
Our Solution
- Define the 5 fundamentals to successfully working with a virtual team
- Implement best practices when communicating virtually
- Build trust in a virtual team
- Motivate and recognize employees on a virtual team
- Create an action plan to put virtual team fundamentals into practice
Managing Virtual Teams Course Outline
Discussion – what is a virtual team? why are they critical?
This section will define virtual teams and explore their importance in today’s global business environment. It will cover the unique characteristics of virtual teams, such as geographic dispersion, reliance on technology for communication, and diverse cultural backgrounds. The discussion will also highlight why virtual teams are becoming increasingly critical for organizations, including factors like access to global talent, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility.
Statistics and Trends on virtual teams
Here, we’ll examine current data and emerging trends related to virtual teams. This may include statistics on the prevalence of remote work, productivity comparisons between virtual and traditional teams, and projections for future workplace models. The section will also discuss how recent global events (like the COVID-19 pandemic) have accelerated the adoption of virtual teams across industries.
Virtual Teams – Cases of great success and great failure
This part of the course will present real-world case studies of both highly successful virtual teams and those that have faced significant challenges or failures. By analyzing these cases, participants will gain insights into best practices and common pitfalls in managing virtual teams. The section will emphasize learning from both positive and negative experiences to inform better management strategies.
Build a Strong Team, Starting with You
This section focuses on the crucial role of the team leader in virtual team success. It will cover self-assessment of leadership skills, developing a leadership style suited for virtual environments, and strategies for building trust and credibility with remote team members. The importance of leading by example in areas like communication, availability, and work ethic will be emphasized.
Gather the Right People
Here, we’ll discuss strategies for assembling an effective virtual team. Topics will include identifying necessary skills and personality traits for successful remote work, conducting virtual interviews, and onboarding new team members in a remote setting. The section will also address the importance of diversity and inclusion in virtual team composition.
Put Technology to Work
This part of the course will explore the various technologies that support virtual team collaboration. It will cover communication tools, project management software, file sharing platforms, and other relevant technologies. The focus will be on selecting appropriate tools, ensuring all team members are proficient in their use, and establishing protocols for technology usage within the team.
Master the Art of Communication
Effective communication is crucial for virtual team success. This section will delve into strategies for clear, frequent, and purposeful communication in a virtual setting. It will cover topics such as active listening in virtual meetings, writing clear emails, and using visual aids effectively. The importance of establishing communication norms and addressing potential cultural and language barriers will also be discussed.
Build a Sense of “We”
Creating team cohesion and a shared identity is challenging but essential in virtual teams. This section will explore strategies for fostering a strong team culture, building relationships among team members, and creating a sense of belonging despite physical distance. It will include ideas for virtual team-building activities, celebrating successes, and promoting informal interactions.
Manage by Results
This part of the course will focus on results-oriented management in virtual teams. It will cover setting clear expectations, establishing measurable goals, and implementing effective performance monitoring systems. The section will also discuss how to provide feedback, conduct performance reviews, and manage accountability in a virtual setting.
Building a practical plan for your virtual team
The course will conclude with a workshop-style session where participants will develop a practical plan for managing their own virtual teams. This will involve applying the concepts learned throughout the course to their specific work contexts. Participants will create action plans addressing key areas such as communication strategies, technology implementation, team building, and performance management.
Target Audience
- Those who lead or participate in geographically separate teams
Delivery Options
Managing Virtual Teams is available in the following delivery formats: Half-Day Training Workshop, Full Day Training Workshop, Multi-Session Webinar, and Live Virtual Instructor-led Classroom Training
Team Building Workshops
Strategic, Tech-Focused, Results Driven
Managing Virtual Teams
Boost collaboration, productivity, and innovation by sending your virtual team leaders and members to our strategic training focused on implementing best practices for communication, relationship building, and results.
Strategic, Cohesive, Empowering
Building Successful Teams
Boost teamwork, collaboration, and results by sending your leaders and team members to our strategic and empowering workshop focused on building shared goals, trust, and effective working relationships.
Insightful, Strategic, Actionable
Developing & Managing Effective Teams
Boost team alignment, collaboration, and performance by leveraging our insightful team assessments and strategic development framework to create targeted action plans tailored to your team’s specific needs.
Fundamental, Interactive, Empowering
Team Building For
New Leaders
Boost new team leader success by leveraging our fundamental yet interactive team development training where they will gain the core techniques to expedite team growth, cultivate collaboration, and drive results.
Insightful, Trust-Building, Customized
Building Teamwork & Commitment
Reignite stalled teams by leveraging our insightful DiSC®-based workshop to rebuild trust and commitment with customized delivery focused directly on your team’s specific needs.
Insightful, Customized, Transformational
Five Behaviors of A Cohesive Team
Get to the root of team dysfunction and catalyze performance by sending your group to our customizable workshop experience built around the renowned Five Behaviors model.
Need A Virtual Instructor-Led Team Training?
Building Virtual Teams
This virtually facilitated series helps you identify team purpose, maximize strengths, and create a more productive team environment.
Team Building & Improv In A Covid Era
The highly interactive, fun team-building activity brings Improv to a virtual environment and incorporates activities that incorporate your company’s core values.
Launching High-Performing Teams
This half-day workshop for intact teams allows the group to create a shared understanding of what great teamwork looks like and how each person can add their unique value.
Launching New Teams With Lego Serious Play
This program uses the power of storytelling and making 3-dimensional models to quickly develop psychological safety and trust among team members.
MacGyver Team Challenge
Learn how to develop an agile mindset, diverge to seek more wild and novel ideas (Stretching what is possible), and teach tools that help reverse the assumptions we impose on ourselves.
Need Virtual Instructor-Led Training?
Ready to discuss your managing remote team’s training needs with TrainSMART? Schedule a 30-minute call to learn more about each other and determine if we are a good fit. This is a no-obligation consultation.
We look forward to hearing from you. Call us at 800-807-8030 or email inquiries@trainsmartinc.com.