Page 259 - Managing the Mobile Workforce

238 � mAnAgIng the moBIle workForCe

in the same building at the same time, sitting at their desks,
but they were using Shauna’s virtual online tools.
She has taken tools used for quality processes and rede-
signed them for virtual teams. One of the mistakes teams
make, she thinks, is that they bring their old meeting habits
into a virtual environment. She uses tools to make the meet-
ings more active. Some collaborative whiteboards, she says,
allow everybody to write at the same time, for example, so
everyone is participating in drawing diagrams, flowcharts,
and whatever is needed to get people actively working in
the meeting itself. Another tool she uses is something she
calls GROW, which stands for Gap Analysis, Research, Or-
ganize, and Wealth. The process is a simple one for the team
to figure out what they want to take away from their meet-
ings. Having effective meetings is very important, she says,
and she has created tools to use for effective online meet-
ings, including sample meeting agendas and online meet-
ing competencies for virtual teams.
Her book, InterneTeaming.com, is a handbook for virtual
teams, and has tools and processes that cover everything
from assessing team needs, to developing a team culture,
to problem solving.
When you talk to her, you can tell she is a true believer in
managing virtually. She says: “If you’ve got a virtual rela-
tionship, we’re to a point now where you have friends that
you like better online than you do in person.” 11

performing
The process of transformation occurs while the team performs
its tasks. At this time the relationships are formed, understanding
is achieved, problems are solved, and goals are accomplished while
members are working both independently and together. Team leaders