...Managing a virtual workplace The article Managing a Virtual Workplace focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of virtual workplaces and the tools needed for managers. There are many business reasons for a virtual workplace: reduced real estate expenses, increased productivity, higher profits, improved customer service, access to global markets and environmental benefits. There are also many disadvantages of a virtual workplace: set-up and maintenance costs, loss of cost efficiencies, cultural issues, feelings of isolation, and lack of trust. Virtual teams are not appropriate for every job or company. This article is about how to overcome the disadvantages and emphasizes the advantages of a virtual workplace and hoe managers will adapt to the new challenge of managing a virtual workplace. Critical success factors for global virtual teams This article focuses on the success and failures of virtual teams. There are several factors that determine the success or failure of virtual teams and they are: • Team Formation • Trust and Collaboration • Team Communication Within the team foundation, there has to be a clear sponsorship, agreed goals, awareness of cultural influences, and the right competencies and skills. Trust and collaboration are key skills in having a successful virtual team. Team communication is also a very important key in the success of a virtual team. You must stay connected with the members on your team and meet on a regular basis via e-mail...
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...organization, and whole social system. Workplace diversity can be defined as difference between people within an organization. It might sound simple but it encompasses: gender, race, ethnic group, age, cognitive style personality, tenure, organizational function, education, background among other. Diversity not only involves how individual perceive themselves but the manner in which they perceive others. The perception is likely to affect the interactions. For wide assortment of employees to function effectively within a given organization, human resource management professionals must deal with issues of diversity appropriately. Such issues include adaptability, change, and communication. This is due to the fact that diversity is likely to increase significantly in the coming years. Successful organizations recognize the need for immediate action and are ready and willing to spend resources on managing diversity at workplace. Challenges of diversity in the workplace Taking full advantage of the benefits of diversity in an organization or workplace is not without its challenges, some of these challenges include: Communication – Perpetual, cultural, and language barrier need to be overcome for diversity programs to succeed. Ineffective communication leads to confusion, lack of team work and low morale. Another challenge is being resistant to change; there are various employees who will not accept the fact that social and cultural makeup of their workplace is changing. This is usually...
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...2014 Teamwork and Motivation Within a business, the employees or the team are a vital component. They are responsible for doing most of the work that keeps the company going. When employees are not motivated, production can decline which adversely affects the organization. Motivated employees are key in keeping an organization moving on a forward, profitable path. One of the best ways to motivate employees is through teamwork. When employees feel 'included' as part of a team and part of a work family, they can be more productive and more efficient. The information below will examine how a motivational plan works positively, what motivational theory is the basis for the motivational plan, how managers can motivate minimum wage employees, team performance, and my individual experiences working with a team. Job Flexibility as a Motivational Plan Workplace flexibility programs such as telecommuting, flexible hours and flexible start and end times have a positive effect on employees’ motivation, engagement and satisfaction. According to a recent study conducted by WorldatWork, 85% of employers who have a flexible culture in their office reported that the flexibility has had a positive effect on engagement, 84% reported a positive impact on motivation, and 92% reported a positive impact on employee satisfaction. Additionally, the survey showed that a flexible work environment can reduce employee turnover (WorldatWork, 2013). Workplace flexibility programs such as flex...
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...Individual Assignment Two March 21, 2016 Virtual teams have become much more common in organizations and when utilized properly can be extremely effective. Virtual teams are “teams whose members operate across space, time, and organizational boundaries and are linked through information technologies to achieve organizational tasks.” (Steven L.McShane, p. 208) Using a virtual team within a company is quite different than using a traditional team. There are two ways in which virtual teams differ from traditional teams. Virtual teams are “not usually co-located and due to their lack of co-location, members of virtual teams depend primarily on information technologies rather than face-face interaction to communicate and coordinate their work effort.” (Steven L.McShane, p. 208) With the ever changing modes of communication within the workplace having virtual teams can provide many advantages to the company. For one “globalization makes virtual teams increasingly necessary because employees are spread around the planet rather than one building or city.” (Steven L.McShane, p. 210) Virtual teams are excellent for companies which have many different locations in different parts of the world. Virtual teams are able to bounce ideas off of each other and find opportunities to help each other even though they are located so far from each other. Virtual teams also help companies to save money and resources. This is done “by not having a physical location, the company...
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...Virtual vs Face to Face Teams More and more organizations today are moving away from the traditional tall hierarchical structure towards a more flexible and team work based structure. Generally speaking, working in teams has proved more efficient and effective than in separate departments, although tall structures are still in operation in many industries depending on their competitive environment. Working in teams helps employees make important decisions on their own, instead of relying on an often delayed response from a superior. This increases productivity and flexibility and helps an organization respond faster to opportunities in the environment. Teams also consist of employees from across several departments which allow them to work together more cohesively, increasing interdependence toward common goals. Teams have many more advantages over a tall organizational structure, but this essay will focus more on the types of team structures. The two types of teams here are virtual teams and face to face teams. This essay will compare and contrast the benefits received when interacting with these two mediums in a team environment. It will also highlight any shortfalls between the two forms of team structures. The first part of this essay will focus on virtual teams. Virtual Teams Wikipedia also terms a virtual team as a Geographically Dispersed Team (GDT) and defines it as a group of individuals who work across time, space, and organizational boundaries with links...
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...teams and examine the reason why organisations rely on teams and what are the advantages and disadvantages in this process. Then, it will describe why are some teams effective and other fail. Finally, the essay will introduce a new form of team called “virtual teams”. Assignment 3 The aim of this essay is to define teams and examine the reason why organisations rely on teams and what are the advantages and disadvantages in this process. Then, it will describe why are some teams effective and other fail. Finally, the essay will introduce a new form of team called “virtual teams”. Human beings have always worked in collaboration with each other for creating friendship and social relationship with others, or for the benefits of their diverse perspectives, support and competences for a situation. As a consequence people create group, which include individuals together, even if they have any interdependence or organizationally focused purpose. In a company, managers form teams, which are groups of two or more people who collaborate with and influence, each other. People in a team are mutually accountable for achieving common goals associated with organizational objectives and perceive themselves as a social entity within an organisation. The aim of building teamwork is for meeting new challenges and achieving results that a person cannot realize alone. For example, New Zealand Post’s largest delivery branch in Marua Road, Auckland, was the poorest performing branch in...
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...Communication Communication is considered to be an important factor within our every day lives. Communication is viewed in many different ways. However, when working with virtual teams communication is a number one factor especially for the leader of the project. Lack of communication can steer up a lot of issues. A team leader needs to make sure the goals that need to be complete is addressed to all members of the team. There are different types of communication. There is business communication, family communication, social communication, common interest communication, intellectual communication and student/teacher communication. The three types of communication that stand out is business, family and social communication. I will discuss two out of the three types of communication. They will be business communication and social communication. Business communication is typically what people do to get products and services sold in order to make money. Business communication needs to be consistent across the board. There could be different ways to communicate with a business. One could communicate via phone, emails, memos and through meetings within the organization. Usually communication is coming from the president of the company to one level down manager which in turn get relayed to the associates who work to keep the company up and running. Another type of communication would be social communication. Social communication is for entertainment purposes. Social communication...
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...OrContents Part III/ The usefulness of motivational theory for managers. 2 1. Distinction between Maslow’s Theory and Hertzberg’s Theory of motivation 2 2. Application for Manager 3 3. Apply to LG Electronics 4 Part IV. Understand mechanisms for developing effective teamwork in organizations 4 4.1. Explain the nature of groups and group behaviour within organisations. 4 A. Definition 4 1. Group and group behavior 4 2. Group norms 7 3. Group decision-making 8 4. Group contribution 10 5. Formal and Informal group 11 6. Advantages and disadvantages of informal organisation 12 B. Apply in LG Electronics: 13 4.2: The factors that may promote or inhibit the development of effective teamwork in organizations 13 A: Definition 13 4.1.1: Inhibit the Group 14 4.1.2: Successful teamwork 16 B: Application for LGE 20 4.3 Evaluate the impact of technology on team functioning within a given organization 22 A: Definition 22 4.3.1 The importance of technology in business 23 4.3.2 The important of technology in team 23 4.3.3. Virtual teams of technology 24 4.3.4 Critical Success Factors of Virtual Teams 26 B: Application 27 CONCLUSION 30 Part III/ The usefulness of motivational theory for managers. 1. Distinction between Maslow’s Theory and Hertzberg’s Theory of motivation | Maslow’s Theory of Motivation | Hertzberg’s Theory of Motivation | Meaning | Maslow’s theory is based on the concept of human needs and their satisfaction. | Hertzberg’s theory is based...
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...and teamwork can be found in the workplace today and with organizations struggling to be flexible and responsive to a healthy work-life balance they have had to experiment with new information technologies. (Kreitner, Organizational Behavior pg. 316) This experimentation has led to virtual teams or physically dispersed task groups that conduct their business primarily through modern information technology and that exist outside normal channels of authority and communication. (Kreitner, Organizational Behavior pg.317) Virtual teams have become a product of modern times and Kilburg is demonstrating that he can still plan for the strategic growth of his company even by not being physically in the office, spending six weeks each summer in a beach house. With the information technologies such as the mobile internet, email, social media, and groupware he can be a member of his work team without really being there and still effectively manage. (Kreitner, Organizational Behavior pg. 317) As long as Kilburg’s employees feel properly supported by him then being out of the office can be redeeming in freeing up others to grow and develop on their own. If he has done his job then he has developed a motivated, passionate and responsible team that will produce whether or not he is there and in face to face contact with them. Kilburg feels as a competent boss that he has provided his employees with the proper tools, training and expectations to be part of a virtual team and continued to perform...
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...Business communication is critical in day-to-day business. Without business communication, it would be very hard to be successful. In today’s business world, it is much easier to communicate to my leaders, co-workers, employees and business partners. With communication technology growing so strong over the last decade, it is nearly impossible to be “out of the loop” in the workplace. In fact, business can be conducted from virtually anywhere as long as the person has an internet connection. This paper will discuss the role business communication plays in my day-to-day work activities, trends in business communication in the workplace and the messages types that results from these trends. The most common way for me to manage my daily activities is through my company email. My email account is accessible from my business laptop and Smartphone. I can work while in my home office; or I can work from my Smartphone while having lunch at a sandwich shop. What helps me manage my workload within the email function is the ability to “flag” messages. I can “flag” messages for follow up at a later date to remind me when a deadline is due or when I need to respond to that particular message. The “flagged” message will remind me of the follow up based on the timeframe I set. The online calendar in my email allows me to set up appointments and invite attendees. The calendar is also linked to my Smartphone which sends me reminder alerts when appointments are coming up. Another communication...
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...• Business Communication Trends Paper Ann Coward University of Phoenix COM/285 – Business Communications Professor: Daniel Cleary September 1, 2010 • Business Communication Trends Paper Business practices, communication and technology is changing at a rapid pace. Successful businesses rely on effective communication to sustain itself. Gone are the days of writing business letter, sending memos, and mailing correspondences. With offices going green and paperless new technological trends include e-mail, interactive video and teleconferencing, and social electronic networking. It becomes essential to know how to communicate using these trends and still maintain basic corporate etiquette and decorum such as tone, wording, organizing information, spelling, and grammar. In this paper I will outline the role business communication play in my day-to-day activities at work, how it helps to manage daily activities, visible trends in the workplace, and the message types that are a results of these trends. Business communication play the most important role in day-to-day activities at work by cohensively linking coworkers, managers, and executives. The moment one enters the office, the tone of greeting sets the temperature for the day’s activity. A vibrant and positive greeting is more inviting than a faint mumbling acknowledgement. Working in a multicultural organization, requires employee to be mindful and respectful in communicating across...
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...The Impact of Technology in the Workplace The impact of computer technology in the workplace has been enormous within the past decade, both positive and negative. Distant communication through the use of computers and mobile devices have overhauled the office setting completely. Email, social networking sites and the world of the Internet have opened a whole new avenue of communication. Technology has changed the entire workplace environment, the relationships, and how things get done. Office workers and businesses are not limited to phone calls, meetings or mail to communicate with each other anymore. Electronic email can be used and not interrupt the recipient. The recipients can respond immediately or at a later time.Virtual calls and meetings allow for distant participation in meetings without everyone actually being physically present. Clients, business partners and employees can telecommunicate from their location of choice. The use of mobile of technology has eliminated the importance of an actual physical office space. Work can be done while traveling, across continents, or even from home. Even employees in the same office can chat, share projects, SKYPE to share screens and make group decisions without even being in the same room. Customer Service Departments use technology to serve customers in a timely manner as well. Automated phone systems and email expedite customer service questions and issues...
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...price or productivity. Human resources plays an active role in the development of an organizational culture. Great workplaces with a great corporate culture are more financially successful than their peers. Great workplaces have lower employee turnover than their competitors and are able to recruit top talent that fits their culture and needs. The end result is that they provide top quality customer service and create innovative products and services that contribute to their overall financial success. There is a strong relationship between cultures and hiring that comes into play with employee sourcing, selection and retention. Cultural fit is the makeup of someone. It’s who they are and what they bring to the table. Generally it can’t be taught. If your corporate culture is not in synch with your candidate, it will be difficult to change them. Most people can pick up new skills with relative ease if you have the time to train them. Most companies pay relatively little attention to culture despite its importance. It has been proven that actively managing and developing culture through hiring can significantly improve employee retention and performance. In the end, this directly influences organizational profitability and growth. The Nation Media Group is a specific example of a multinational that has invested in developing a positive culture within the workplace environment to enable it grow into a profitable media house. The company has cultivated a culture of commitment by...
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...assessments, and general guidance which is based in the scholastic research this team conducted. Slide 3 – Current Structure The current structure of the organization consists of workgroups in five locations within the U.S. and Portugal. The members of this virtual team are highly diverse, possessing different backgrounds from distinct perspectives in areas such as career, nationality and level of experience. Currently the organization is operating within a vertically aligned structure which negatively impacts the organization’s speed to market for decisions, hinders cross-departmental collaboration, and creates inter-departmental conflict of responsibilities. In transitioning to a team-based model, we seek an improved structure which allows for efficiency on project execution and management as well as improved information sharing, decision making, and conflict resolution. Slide 4 - Current Structure Based on Fiol and O’Conner (2005, p. 25), the current structure most closely resembles the needs of Hybrid teams with occasional face-face interaction. Given the characteristics of hybrid teams, interpersonal trust is paramount to effective teamwork (Thomas & Bostrom, p. 46) within virtual groups and group success is “dependent on effective communications and knowledge sharing among members” (Townsend & DeMarie, p. 19). This dynamic makes it a priority that specific culture attitudes are propagated through the organization when the organizational...
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...lRole of Emotional Intelligence in Virtual Project Management Shazia Nauman MEM, MBA shaznaum@yahoo.com CASE, Pakistan Maliha Elahi, PMP, MCT malihaelahi@yahoo.com SPO, Pakistan Zeeshan Ahmed Bhatti xeeshan@gmail.com CASE, Pakistan Umair Khalid umair.khaled@gmail.com Ericsson,Pakistan Abstract- In today's competitive global environment, projects in organizations consist of cross-functional teams that are formed to utilize individual expertise. A project manager whose primary responsibility is to achieve project objectives deals these individuals. Since the rational and emotional aspects of a project vary in complexity, the role of the project manager is critical to project success. The objective of this study was to demonstrate linkages between emotional intelligence and the challenges faced by virtual project managers. The study will also show that there exists a multi tier relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and challenges/elements of VPM. 1. INTRODUCTION Emotional Intelligence has its roots in the concept of "social intelligence", as first identified by E.L. Thorndike as early as in the early 1920s. The term Emotional Intelligence first appeared in a series of academic articles authored by John D. Mayer and Peter Salovey [1]. Goleman defined Emotional intelligence as a person’s self-awareness, self-confidence, selfcontrol, commitment and integrity, and a person’s ability to communicate, influence, initiate change and accept change [2,3]. In...
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