1. The Virtual TeamThe Virtual Team
ChallengeChallenge
By: Lance PoehlerBy: Lance Poehler

2. What are Virtual TeamsWhat are Virtual Teams
• A group of employees located in differentA group of employees located in different
locations who must collaborate tolocations who must collaborate to
accomplish tasks.accomplish tasks.

3. Virtual Team FactorsVirtual Team Factors
• GrowthGrowth
– Kirkman, B. L., Rosen, B., Tesluk, P. E., & Gibson, C. B. (2004).Kirkman, B. L., Rosen, B., Tesluk, P. E., & Gibson, C. B. (2004).
The impact of team empowerment on virtual team performance:The impact of team empowerment on virtual team performance:
The moderating role of face-to-face interaction.The moderating role of face-to-face interaction. Academy ofAcademy of
Management Journal, 47Management Journal, 47, 175-192., 175-192.
• CommunicationCommunication
– Wallace, P. (2004). The internet in the workplace: How newWallace, P. (2004). The internet in the workplace: How new
technology is transforming work. Cambridge: Cambridgetechnology is transforming work. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.University Press.
• DiversityDiversity
– Duarte, D. L., & Snyder, N. T. (2006). Mastering virtual teams.Duarte, D. L., & Snyder, N. T. (2006). Mastering virtual teams.
San-Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.San-Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

4. Virtual Team FactorsVirtual Team Factors
• Distance and TimeDistance and Time
– Saunders, C., Van Slyke, C., & Vogel, D. R. (2004). My time orSaunders, C., Van Slyke, C., & Vogel, D. R. (2004). My time or
yours? Managing time visions in global virtual teams.yours? Managing time visions in global virtual teams. Academy ofAcademy of
Management Executive, 18Management Executive, 18, 19-31., 19-31.
• TrustTrust
– Cascio, W. F. & Shurygailo, S. (2003). “E-Leadership and virtualCascio, W. F. & Shurygailo, S. (2003). “E-Leadership and virtual
teams.”teams.” Organizational Dynamics, 31Organizational Dynamics, 31, 362-376., 362-376.

5. Common PitfallsCommon Pitfalls
• SubgroupsSubgroups
– Dahlin, K. B., Weingart, L. R. & Hinds, P. J. (2005). TeamDahlin, K. B., Weingart, L. R. & Hinds, P. J. (2005). Team
diversity and information usediversity and information use. Academy of Management Journal,. Academy of Management Journal,
4848, 1107-1123., 1107-1123.
• Conflict avoidanceConflict avoidance
– Von Glinow, M. A., Shapiro, D. L., & Brett, J. L. (2004). Can weVon Glinow, M. A., Shapiro, D. L., & Brett, J. L. (2004). Can we
talk and should we? Managing emotional conflict in multiculturaltalk and should we? Managing emotional conflict in multicultural
teamsteams. Academy of Management Review, 29. Academy of Management Review, 29, 578-592., 578-592.
• MisinterpretationsMisinterpretations
– Duarte, D. L., & Snyder, N. T. (2006). Mastering virtual teams.Duarte, D. L., & Snyder, N. T. (2006). Mastering virtual teams.
San-Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.San-Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

6. Common PitfallsCommon Pitfalls
• Lack of Management CommunicationLack of Management Communication
– Furst, S. A., Reeves, M., Rosen, B., & Blackburn, R. S. (2004), ManagingFurst, S. A., Reeves, M., Rosen, B., & Blackburn, R. S. (2004), Managing
the Life Cycle of Virtual Teamsthe Life Cycle of Virtual Teams, Academy of Management Executive, Academy of Management Executive, 13,, 13,
6-20.6-20.
• Lack of Quality/Quantity of MeetingsLack of Quality/Quantity of Meetings
– Cascio, W. F. & Shurygailo, S. (2003). “E-Leadership and virtualCascio, W. F. & Shurygailo, S. (2003). “E-Leadership and virtual
teams.”teams.” Organizational Dynamics, 31Organizational Dynamics, 31, 362-376., 362-376.
– Kirkman, B. L., Rosen, B., Tesluk, P. E., & Gibson, C. B. (2004).Kirkman, B. L., Rosen, B., Tesluk, P. E., & Gibson, C. B. (2004).
The impact of team empowerment on virtual team performance:The impact of team empowerment on virtual team performance:
The moderating role of face-to-face interaction.The moderating role of face-to-face interaction. Academy ofAcademy of
Management Journal, 47Management Journal, 47, 175-192., 175-192.

7. Suggested SolutionsSuggested Solutions
• Initial kickoff meeting (orientation)Initial kickoff meeting (orientation)
– Devine, D. J. (2002). A review and integration of classificationDevine, D. J. (2002). A review and integration of classification
systems relevant to teams in organizations.systems relevant to teams in organizations. Group Dynamics:Group Dynamics:
Theory, Research, and Practice, 6Theory, Research, and Practice, 6, 291-310., 291-310.
• Culture-training courseCulture-training course
– Duarte, D. L., & Snyder, N. T. (2006). Mastering virtual teams.Duarte, D. L., & Snyder, N. T. (2006). Mastering virtual teams.
San-Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.San-Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
• Good Communicatios NormsGood Communicatios Norms
– Jarvenpaa, S. L., & Leidner, D. E. (1999). Communication andJarvenpaa, S. L., & Leidner, D. E. (1999). Communication and
trust in global virtual teams.trust in global virtual teams. Organization Science, 10Organization Science, 10, 791-815., 791-815.

8. Suggested SolutionsSuggested Solutions
• Meeting NotesMeeting Notes
– Duarte, D. L., & Snyder, N. T. (2006). Mastering virtual teams.Duarte, D. L., & Snyder, N. T. (2006). Mastering virtual teams.
San-Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.San-Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
• Social NetworksSocial Networks
– Cummings, J. N. (2001). Work groups and knowledge sharing in aCummings, J. N. (2001). Work groups and knowledge sharing in a
global organization.global organization. Academy of Management Proceedings, OBAcademy of Management Proceedings, OB,,
D1-5.D1-5.
• Managing DifferencesManaging Differences
– Saunders, C., Van Slyke, C., & Vogel, D. R. (2004). My time orSaunders, C., Van Slyke, C., & Vogel, D. R. (2004). My time or
yours? Managing time visions in global virtual teams.yours? Managing time visions in global virtual teams. Academy ofAcademy of
Management Executive, 18Management Executive, 18, 19-31., 19-31.

9. Suggested SolutionsSuggested Solutions
• Conflict ResolutionConflict Resolution
– Montoya-Weiss, M. M., Massey, A. P., & Song, W. (2001).Montoya-Weiss, M. M., Massey, A. P., & Song, W. (2001).
Getting it together: Temporal coordination and conflictGetting it together: Temporal coordination and conflict
management in global virtual teams.management in global virtual teams. Academy of ManagementAcademy of Management
Journal, 44Journal, 44, 1251-1262., 1251-1262.
• Team LeadershipTeam Leadership
– Kirkman, B. L., Rosen, B., Tesluk, P. E., & Gibson, C. B. (2004).Kirkman, B. L., Rosen, B., Tesluk, P. E., & Gibson, C. B. (2004).
The impact of team empowerment on virtual team performance:The impact of team empowerment on virtual team performance:
The moderating role of face-to-face interaction.The moderating role of face-to-face interaction. Academy ofAcademy of
Management Journal, 47Management Journal, 47, 175-192., 175-192.

10. Need for training?Need for training?
• The HP virtual team projectThe HP virtual team project
– Dr. Schumacher was hired by HP to designDr. Schumacher was hired by HP to design
a virtual team training simulationa virtual team training simulation
• Confirms the need & interest of corporations.Confirms the need & interest of corporations.

11. Game DesignGame Design
• Paired-game designPaired-game design
– Alpha vs. BetaAlpha vs. Beta
• Advisor Suggested StrategiesAdvisor Suggested Strategies
• 6 fully automated simulated characters (Bots)6 fully automated simulated characters (Bots)
– Merged Photos and Voice RecordingsMerged Photos and Voice Recordings
– 2 Virtual Advisor2 Virtual Advisor
– 4 Virtual Team Members4 Virtual Team Members
• 14 external characters14 external characters
– Social NetworkSocial Network

12. Game Design ElementsGame Design Elements
• PERT ChartPERT Chart
• Detailed CalendarsDetailed Calendars
– Local Time ZonesLocal Time Zones
• TutorialsTutorials
• Tracked VariablesTracked Variables
– TrustTrust
– OpennessOpenness
– ProductivityProductivity
– Process AlignmentProcess Alignment
– Project VisionProject Vision

13. Player ChoicesPlayer Choices
• Schedule and Attend MeetingsSchedule and Attend Meetings
– Face to FaceFace to Face
– Video ConferenceVideo Conference
– Phone ConferencePhone Conference
• NetworkNetwork
• Work on TasksWork on Tasks
• Work on Administrative DutiesWork on Administrative Duties
• Check GraphsCheck Graphs
• Meet with AdvisorMeet with Advisor

14. The Virtual TeamThe Virtual Team
ChallengeChallenge
Lets BeginLets Begin

15. Initial TrialsInitial Trials
• Group ParticipationGroup Participation
• Group Sizes: 6,12,5Group Sizes: 6,12,5
• Length of Presentation: 2 hoursLength of Presentation: 2 hours
• Identical Before & After QuestionnairesIdentical Before & After Questionnaires

16. Results of Initial TrialsResults of Initial Trials
Statistically
Significant
Changes
Questions X Y
I have NO experience or knowledge regarding virtual teams. Yes No
Developing trust among VIRTUAL team members is a critical success factor. Yes Yes
ENCOURAGING virtual team members to explore SOCIAL NETWORKS is a recommended practice for team leaders. Yes Yes
AWARENESS of cultural DIFFERENCES among team members is a KEY success factor for virtual teams. No No
EMAIL is the OPTIMAL way to communicate on a VIRTUAL team. No No
When time is running out on a task, VIRTUAL team members should communicate the situation with the team. No No
ALL virtual team members should be INVOLVED in creating and accepting the project OUTLINE and TIMELINE. Yes No
TASK FOCUS in virtual teams will help to PREVENT problems during the project. Yes Yes
It is IMPORTANT to SHARE your social and culture experiences with the team. No No
During the BEGINNING of the project team members should spend MORE time NETWORKING THAN working on TASK. Yes No
Face-To-Face meetings should be held at ONE location to maintain regularity. No No
Getting to know the members of the team on a PERSONAL level is important to team success. Yes No
What percentage of time do you think should be spent in meetings during project initiation? Yes No
What percentage of time do you think should be spent in meetings during the middle of the project? No No
What percentage of time do you think should be spent in meetings during the end of the project? No No
• X = Two-Sample Test of Means: Small SamplesX = Two-Sample Test of Means: Small Samples
• Y = The Kolmogorov-Smirnov Two-Sample TestY = The Kolmogorov-Smirnov Two-Sample Test

17. • The change in 8 of the 15 questions is statisticallyThe change in 8 of the 15 questions is statistically
significantsignificant
• The direction of change of 7 of the 8 questions conforms toThe direction of change of 7 of the 8 questions conforms to
prior expectationsprior expectations
• 14 of the 15 questions did show an average improvement.14 of the 15 questions did show an average improvement.
• These are only the initial trial results. The results mayThese are only the initial trial results. The results may
change as more participants take the Virtual Teamchange as more participants take the Virtual Team
Challenge.Challenge.
Results of Initial Trials

18. CompetitionCompetition
• Training SimulationsTraining Simulations
– Virtual ConnectionVirtual Connection
• Virtual@Work = $299/person/6-monthsVirtual@Work = $299/person/6-months
• SeminarsSeminars
– The Fisher GroupThe Fisher Group ≈≈ $10000$10000
• Contains training simulationContains training simulation
– Synergest, Inc.Synergest, Inc. ≈≈ $4000 - $7300$4000 - $7300
• Training VideosTraining Videos
– Diversity Resources, Inc.Diversity Resources, Inc.
• Building the Virtual Team = $495 to $595Building the Virtual Team = $495 to $595

19. Predicted usePredicted use
• Training Tool for:Training Tool for:
– CompaniesCompanies
– UniversityUniversity
• Textbook publishersTextbook publishers
– Disk InsertDisk Insert
• On-Site SeminarOn-Site Seminar
• Purchase short term licensePurchase short term license

20. Future WorkFuture Work
• More participants neededMore participants needed
– SuggestionsSuggestions
– ReactionsReactions
• Adapt to business needsAdapt to business needs
• Adapt to future technologyAdapt to future technology
• The Virtual Team Challenge: Version 2?The Virtual Team Challenge: Version 2?

21. The Virtual Team ChallengeThe Virtual Team Challenge
Are you ready for training?Are you ready for training?