In this post, I would like to get back to a really basic interest of the Leading Virtually group. There are at least a few prominent articles (see, for example, the Seriosity report and an HBR article) that predict multiplayer online games offer us a preview of the future of the business environment and leadership. While this may be true, we are interested primarily in the potential of… Read more →
What: New York Times article on the use of virtual meetings. Posts to which it is related: The Mind Has a Body of Its Own, Improving Virtual Team Leadership Using Technology, Freeing Yourself from Email, So You Think You’d Like to Telecommute Bottom line: This article begins with the premise of virtual meetings (specifically, teleconferencing) increasing in business, as a… Read more →
We have pointed out in several Leading Virtually Digest posts that telecommuting is all over the popular press lately (check out the coverage captured by Google News). But the majority of articles merely mention telecommuting without providing any specific information about doing telework. However, research does exist on this topic, and we have some evidence about the conditions that make a… Read more →
A common problem that office workers face today is email overload. For some, email has taken over their work life and it is damaging, rather than improving, their productivity. In our Leading Virtually Digest of June 20th, we point to an article that reports how the onslaught of email or webmail is hurting productivity. A major reason for email’s negative… Read more →
What: This past week, there continued to be a number of articles in regional newspapers about companies who are considering or trying out telecommuting. Check out a few from Michigan, Virginia, and Connecticut. There are plenty more available with a search. Posts to which it is related: Journal article cited in the Digest on June 13, Leading in Face to… Read more →
There are three members of the Leading Virtually team who are currently the most active core. Of the three of us, I know Surinder well (he was my teacher and research collaborator when I was in graduate school). But I met Angelo for the first time in person last week. We have been working together for about 8 months without… Read more →
For those who are interested in virtual team collaboration, the concept of teamwork is crucial. But rarely is “teamwork” actually defined. Just as the adage goes, we know it when we see it, but we may have trouble explicitly saying what makes for good teamwork. This week, Surinder sent me an academic journal article by Martin Hoegl and Hans Georg… Read more →
What: Forbes.com article about doing business in geographically dispersed virtual teams (also see: accompanying slide show). Posts to which it is related: Implicit Communication and Culture: What it means for leading virtual teams; Culture Matters in Virtual Teams. Bottom Line: The author has a consulting business that helps companies manage IT-focused virtual teams that are globally dispersed. He points out… Read more →
What: CIO News article interviewing CIOs who believe virtual collaboration tools enable creativity when properly chosen and implemented. Posts to which it is related: Virtual Teams – Beneficial or Detrimental?, Leading to Increase Commitment in Virtual World Collaboration, The Future of Virtual Teams: Collaboration in 3D Web. Bottom Line: The article recaps what several CIOs had to say during an… Read more →
Without a doubt, technology plays an important role in the modern workplace. In most organizations, employees must have certain technology skills in order to complete their work. Most people in office jobs need to demonstrate proficiency with a word processor or spreadsheet; in some positions much more specific software proficiency is required. We seem to assume that proficiency with a… Read more →