Effective Management of Virtual Teams

This presentation provides three strategies for successful management of virtual teams across different time zones. Communication strategies include both synchronous and asynchronous modes of communication. Project management systems should be used to monitor progress and highlight room for improvement. Collaboration can be ensured through clear communication, team bonding, periodic face to face meetings, and knowledge sharing systems. Recommendations include clarifying mission and vision, optimizing communication resources, and encouraging knowledge sharing and innovative strategies.

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF VIRTUAL TEAMS

VIRTUAL TEAMS
• In order to set up effective
virtual teams across four time
zones in Mumbai, New York,
Sydney and Beijing, certain
factors have to be kept in mind.
The following slides will provide
three strategies for successful
management of virtual teams.

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
• Both synchronous and asynchronous
modes of communication are
recommended in order to avoid
chances of miscommunication (Pinjani
and Palvia 2013).
• Synchronous communication refers to
communication in real time and would
include instant messaging, chats,
webcams and video conferences.
• On the contrary, asynchronous modes
of communication would include text
messages, faxes and emails.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
• A project management system
should be used by the marketing
team leader to ensure that each
member of the virtual team is
functioning to his fullest potential.
• Such a project management
system would allow evaluation
and monitoring of the team’s
progress and highlight room for
improvement.

COLLABORATION
• One of the most important
aspects of virtual team
operations is cooperation and
collaboration between different
team members. This can be
ensured through clear lines of
communication, team bonding,
periodic face to face meetings
and knowledge sharing systems
(Klitmøller and Lauring 2013).

RECOMMENDATIONS
• Clarification of mission and vision behind virtual team
implementation (Barnwell et al. 2014).
• Optimized use of available communication resources (both
synchronous and asynchronous).
• Project management systems.
• Real time communication
• Periodic face to face meetings.
• Encouragement of knowledge sharing, knowledge management
and innovative strategies.

REFERENCES
• Barnwell, D., Nedrick, S., Rudolph, E., Sesay, M. and Wellen, W.,
2014. Leadership of international and virtual project
teams. International Journal of Global Business, 7(2).
• Klitmøller, A. and Lauring, J., 2013. When global virtual teams share
knowledge: Media richness, cultural difference and language
commonality. Journal of World Business, 48(3), pp.398-406.
• Pinjani, P. and Palvia, P., 2013. Trust and knowledge sharing in
diverse global virtual teams. Information & Management, 50(4),
pp.144-153.

THANK YOU!