STTS

Nicole Stinton

Description

Globalisation is quickly making the world smaller, but the work challenges larger. Colleagues and clients are diverse and work from different locations. So how do we stay connected, efficient and productive? What do we do to overcome technological, cultural and time challenges? With practical skills and effective techniques, Working in a Virtual World will help you to improve your business relationships, whether people are located on the next floor, in the next building or an entirely different country. This book gives you insights and hands-on techniques to make working in the virtual world work for you, including: communicating with clarity, using technology productively, overcoming time challenges, connecting with others, dealing with issues, being inclusive of diversity, working with cultural difference and leading effectively.

Sujets

• Employabilité, métiers et formations
• Strategic management

Informations

• Publié par: Marshall Cavendish International
• Date de parution: 29 septembre 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789814516761
• Langue: English

Extrait

2013 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited text Nicole Stinton series title Shirley Taylor Illustrations by Edwin Ng Cover art by Opal Works Co. Limited
Published by Marshall Cavendish Business An imprint of Marshall Cavendish International 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Request for permission should be addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196. Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail] . Website: www.marshallcavendish.com/genref
The publisher makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents of this book, and specifically disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
Other Marshall Cavendish Offices Marshall Cavendish Corporation. 99 White Plains Road, Tarrytown NY 10591-9001, USA Marshall Cavendish International (Thailand) Co Ltd. 253 Asoke, 12th Flr, Sukhumvit 21 Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Marshall Cavendish (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Times Subang, Lot 46, Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Batu Tiga, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
Marshall Cavendish is a trademark of Times Publishing Limited
National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Stinton, Nicole. Working in a virtual world : a practical guide to working with virtual clients, managers and team members, and becoming more connected, efficient and productive / Nicole Stinton. - Singapore : Marshall Cavendish Business, 2013. p. cm. - (Success skills series (ST Training Solutions)) eISBN: 978 981 4516 76 1
1. Electronic commerce. 2. Business enterprises-Computer networks. 3. Virtual reality in management. I. Title. II. Series: Success skills series (ST Training Solutions)
HF5548.32 658.054678 - dc23 OCN849188175
Printed by NPE Print Communications Pte Ltd

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you
Andrew (with whom I don t have a virtual relationship), for his support as I wrote this book;
Shirley (with whom I sometimes have a virtual relationship), for believing in my idea in the first place;
And to my family in Australia (with whom I have to have a virtual relationship far too often), for always loving me.
PREFACE
Congratulations on picking up this copy of Working in a Virtual World . I m very proud to include this in the STTS Training Success Skills series. This series includes several short, practical books on a range of topics that will help you develop your skills and enhance your success at work and in your personal life too.
The Success Skills series was originally created to meet the needs of participants of STTS Training public workshops. After attending our workshops, many participants expressed a real desire to continue learning, to find out more about the topic, to take it to another level. They were hungry for knowledge. Just the effect I hoped for when I set up STTS Training in 2007. With the Success Skills series of books, the experience and expertise of our trainers can be enjoyed by many more people.
As Series Editor, I ve enjoyed working with the authors to make sure the books are easy-to-read, highly practical, and written in straightforward, simple language. Every book is packed with essential tools and strategies that will make you more effective and successful. We ve included illustrations throughout that reinforce some key points, because I believe we learn more if we add some fun and humour. You ll also notice some key features that highlight important learning points:
Myth Buster

Here you will find a statement that is not true, with notes on the true facts of the matter.
Fast Fact

Useful snippets of information or special points to remember.
Aha! Moment

This is a light bulb moment, when we note something you may be able to conclude from a discussion. Don t forget to note your own Aha! Moments perhaps when you receive some extra insight that clarifies an important point.
Try This

Here you ll find a suggestion for how you can put a special point into practice, either at home or at work.
Danger Zone

You ll find some words of warning here, such as things to avoid or precautions to take.
Star Tips

At the end of each chapter you ll find a list of Star Tips - important notes to remind you about the key points.
By picking up this book you have already shown a desire to learn more. The solid advice and practical guidelines provided in this book will show you how you can really go from good to great!
Good luck!

Shirley Taylor Series Editor CEO, STTS Training Pte Ltd

www.sttstraining.com
www.shirleytaylor.com

Your Steps to Success
Visit www.sttstraining.com now to download your free e-book Your 7 Steps to Success containing motivating advice from our Success Skills authors. You can also read lots of author articles and order the latest titles in the Success Skills series.
CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
ASSESS YOURSELF
1. THE WHO, WHY AND WHEN OF VIRTUAL WORK
Who exactly are virtual workers?
Why do we work virtually today?
When will you be ready for virtual work?
Unpacking your readiness level
Strong foundations
Positive relationships
Effective operations
Big-picture planning
Star Tips for effective virtual work
2. HIGH-PERFORMANCE VIRTUAL TEAMS
Virtual team basics
Bigger-picture considerations
Behind team success is individual success
Different types of virtual teams
Which team are you on?
Star Tips for high-performance virtual teams
3. COMMUNICATION
Communication and the 3Cs
How do codes work?
Making virtual communication work
Physical and virtual environments
Star Tips for effective virtual communication
4. TECHNOLOGY - AND HOW TO USE IT!
Effective telephone conversations
Expression
X-ray your spine
Posture
Respiration
Eye contact
Stand
Steps
lIps
Open body
haNds
Video conferencing
Lights, camera, action!
Star Tips for using technology to communicate
5. VIRTUAL WORK AND TIME
Time expectations
Synchronous versus asynchronous time
Time-value differences
Time-vocabulary confusion
Efficiency and responsiveness
Responsiveness at the office
Star Tips for working with time
6. MANAGING CONFLICT
Conflict
Fight or flight response
Conflict in written form
Phone and VC conversations
Listening
Raising awareness
Star Tips for dealing with conflict
7. DIVERSITY IN VIRTUAL TEAMS
Generational differences
Gender differences
Unconscious bias
Star Tips for working with diverse virtual colleagues
8. CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Culture: nationality, religious and ethnic differences
Accent and language
Communication styles
Accountability
Autonomy
Star Tips for working with cultural difference
9. LEADING A VIRTUAL TEAM
Trust
Management style
Cultural challenges
Communication
Star Tips for leading a virtual team
10. WORKING FOR YOURSELF, FROM HOME
The problems with working from home
Break things down
Switch off technology
Change into work clothes
Create a workspace
Virtual technology and the home-office
Overcoming the isolation
Star Tips for managing your entrepreneurial home-office
WEB REFERENCES
INDEX
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
For centuries, the world of business has been one of constant change, and today s landscape is no different. It s just that now it seems to change more often, more intensely, and with greater impact.
Our work has been made easier over the last decade by the assistance of some helpful virtual techniques and processes. Since then, in only a few years, we ve seen a shift away from virtual assistance, to working virtually. Maybe by the end of this decade, virtual work will simply come to be work.
Now we re more connected than ever before. We re more aware of what s happening in our own neighbourhood and that of others around the globe. With the Internet, we have access to greater amounts of information and more resources. Geography, time and culture are no longer the insurmountable hurdles they once were.
But are we working well in this new, exciting terrain? Are we even ready to work in it?
Perhaps that s a redundant question. We are surrounded by the virtual world so, ready or not, we need to dive in or get left behind. Of course that doesn t mean we can t get better at it, or make it easier to overcome the challenges. It doesn t mean we can t increase our profit margins and have a more positive impact on those we do business with.
Geography, time and culture can be overcome in the virtual world, but they still make work difficult for us. Communicating clearly, building high-performing teams, managing conflict, dealing with diversity, and being an effective leader - these challenges are particularly difficult in the virtual world. This book will help you to overcome them.
But be warned! The pages ahead don t delve deeply into intellectual theory, economic climates and technical wizardry. Instead, each chapter is filled with helpful, practical tips that you can apply immediately.
By opening this book, you ve already taken the first step towards making your virtual working life easier. And with a little practice, not only will your current work benefit, but you will be ready when the world shifts, and working virtually becomes the norm.

Nicole Stinton www.stintonstage.com
What is your current understanding of working in the virtual world?
1. Virtual work is:
a) Just a technological replacement of old business processes.
b) Something that every person is sui