Table of Contents
List of Tables, Case Studies, Figures, and Exhibits xi
Acknowledgments xv
Foreword xvii
Introduction xix
Section One: Building High-Performing Virtual Teams 1
Chapter One: Why Virtual Teams Fail 3
Key Challenges 6
Four Pitfalls to Virtual Team Performance 8
Conclusion 12
Chapter Two: Profiles of Virtual Team Success—What Good Looks Like 15
Team Composition 15
Communication and Training 19
Leadership 24
Conclusion 25
Chapter Three: Virtual Team Launch Kit 27
Test Your Virtual Team Launch IQ 27
Setting Virtual Teams Up for Success 30
Is Your Organization Prepared to Support Virtual Team Work? 49
Conclusion 50
Chapter Four: What Differentiates Great Virtual Teams—How to RAMP Up Your Team’s Performance 51
What Differentiates Top Virtual Teams? 51
The Shingle Seal Standstill: How Would You Handle It? 57
RAMP Up Virtual Team Performance 60
Conclusion 78
Section Two: Leading Virtual Teams 81
Chapter Five: How to Lead Virtual Teams—Tips, Techniques, and Best Practices for HighPerformance 83
Challenges Virtual Team Leaders Face 83
Raygen Company Slump: How Would You Handle It? 88
Virtual Team Leadership Self-Assessment 91
What Makes an Effective Virtual Team Leader? 92
Obstacles at a Glance: A Quick Reference Guide 107
Conclusion 110
Chapter Six: What Factors Really Accelerate Virtual Team Performance—The Four TopPerformance Boosters 113
Taking Virtual Team Performance to the Next Level 113
Conclusion 129
Chapter Seven: How to Facilitate High-Impact Virtual Meetings—Techniques That ReallyWork 131
The Facilitator’s Role 132
V-Meeting Checklist 134
Building a V-Meeting Agenda 134
Keeping Virtual Meetings on Track 136
Dealing with Other Common Challenges 140
Conclusion 142
Conclusion: Six Lessons for Successful Virtual Teams 147
Lesson 1: Focus on People Issues 147
Lesson 2: No Trust, No Team 148
Lesson 3: ‘‘Soft” Skills Are Essential 149
Lesson 4:Watch Out For Performance Peaks 150
Lesson 5: Create a ‘‘High-Touch” Environment 151
Lesson 6: Virtual Team Leadership Matters 152
Closing Thoughts 153
Appendix: On Point’s Global Virtual Team Study 157
Notes 173
About the Authors 177
Index 181
