Format: Either a 20-25+ slide deck or a Group Report of 6-10+ pages. Either format must have 10 or more references.

This assignment has been adapted from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Managing Virtual Work Teams A SHRM case study by Frankie S. Jones, PhD.

Assignment 4:

Three Parts 1. Opportunities and challenges faced

2. Recommendations for Building a Virtual Team

3. Managing Conflict Virtually

The Case

Lauren is assigned a team leader for a project that has the attention of senior company leaders. Because the project is important, and because Lauren is also new to team leadership, Laurens boss suggested that Lauren hire a set of experts (your team) to help her launch the teamworkget forming the team done so well that later, when demands are high, the team will hold the trust to function effectively, and to solve unexpected problems, including conflicts. Your team of experts reports to Laurenshe is your client.

Lauren reviews the profiles of the six (6) team members her boss gave her.

She is both intrigued and anxious when she sees that team members are geographically dispersed, and that they have a range of technology skills. Where the Team Members are Located: Lauren works in the Atlanta office. One team member is in India; another is in Germany; and the rest live in the United States, but in different time zones. Two staff members are in the Eastern time zone (Virginia and North Carolina) and two staff members are in the Central time zone (Texas and Louisiana).

Lauren has never managed a virtual team and is unsure what special skills it will take to be successful. She begins to wonder what competencies are necessary for virtual team leaders and members. So, she studies the team member profiles and creates a matrix (chart) to evaluate each members strengths and weaknesses from the perspective of working virtually. Lauren includes herself because she realizes she needs to evaluate her own strengths and weaknesses. At this point in the case, Lauren has reviewed the challenges and opportunities that could arise as she manages her virtual team.

But she wants to hear from you: What does your team see as the opportunities and challenges? What will you recommend she focus on?

Identify the Challenges and Opportunities

Analyze the team member matrix (chart). See below

Identify challenges and opportunities Laurens team might face. Include: - A designated section of a report, or slides (1-3) to summarize key factors from the team matrixthe chart thats included in this Guide - 1 slide that offers opportunities available in this team - 1-2 slides that outline challenges for the team. Use the note section below the slides to add important theories or research that supports slide text. Use in-text citations for your notes as needed. There is no need to have cites appear in the main section of the slide.

Team Member Matrix Team Member Location (Time Zone) Communication Preferences Virtual experience Strengths Weaknesses Lauren (Team Manager) Atlanta, GA (Eastern) E-mail No

Building and maintaining trust.

Performance management and coaching.

Networking.

Appropriate use of information technology.

Developing and adapting standard team processes.

Managing across cultures. Santosh Pune, India (GMT+05:30) Instant messaging Yes

Interpersonal awareness.

Use of technology.

Self-management.

Project management. John Wilmington, NC (Eastern) Telephone No

Networking face-to-face.

Use of technology.

Spanning boundaries. Joyce Norfolk, VA (Eastern) E-mail Yes

Self-management.

Project management.

Networking. Helga Berlin, Germany (Central European) SharePoint; Web conferencing (with video) Yes

Use of technology.

Interpersonal awareness.

Project management. Adam Dallas, TX (Central) Instant messaging, discussion boards No

Networking via technology.

Spanning boundaries.

Use of technology. Brenda New Orleans, LA (Central) Instant messaging; blogs; SharePoint; e-mail Yes

Use of technology.

Interpersonal awareness.

Networking.

Spanning boundaries.

Self-management.

Recommendations: In your teams report or in the PPT deck, you are to develop (up to 8 slides/PPT, or a section of a report). These actions are recommendations to Lauren.

Describe a set of suggested ground rules for team operations--a section of the report, or 1-4 slides. The ground rules should be explained for what rules Lauren provides as direction (non-negotiable) and what rules the team has options for developing/negotiating.

Create a meeting agenda for the kick-off--either a section of the report or one 1-slide.

Explain the rationale for the agenda topics (either a paragraph for the report, or a 1-slide overview using bullets).

Describe technology useful to Laurens team--either a special section of the report, or 1-2 slides (PPT).

Recommend ways that Lauren should lead the team to build relationships (form) and to establish norms, either as a special section of the report, or 1-2 slides (PPT). 3. Managing Conflict Virtually (Storming and/or solving problems) These problems include:

Lags or delays in e-mailing replies

Differences in preferences for use of technology tools

Uneven attention to comprehending written materials needed for the project Add a set of Recommendations for Reducing and Managing Conflict (2-5 slides, or a section of a report)

Suggested actions to address likely conflicts ahead. Write as a designated section of the report, or 1-3 slides (PPT).

Laurens role as team lead to minimizing team conflict. Write as a special section of the report, or develop 1-2 slides (PPT). OPTION: Add a section that describes a future strategy for the case team (2-4 slides or a section of a report). Give Lauren and her team a bonusand your team will earn content-related points. Use trend data and a little more research, to identify trends likely to shape strategy in the next 18 or so months.