Virtual Work and Technology

Name: Virtual Work and Technology
Author: David Walker

Learn how to get started on managing in a virtual environment

Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 6 lessons.

Course: On-Demand

While working in a virtual team setting, it's very important to understand the nature of virtual meetings, and how team-building can enhance their outcomes. Let's go over the characteristics of technology and how to choose the proper resources. We'll also discuss the tools to help you become a more effective virtual team manager through virtual work structure, methods of communication, and building trust between your team members. Today's landscape of work is changing and evolving into a largely virtual environment. Before virtual teams and meetings became so commonplace, teams used to meet face to face, typically in one room. Establishing positive bonds was easier because team members worked in close proximity to each other, and the use of nonverbal cues made it easier to set the stage and move the meeting forward. But with virtual teams and meetings, nonverbal cues become more difficult to read and new challenges that didn't exist with in-person meetings have been presented. At the same time, virtual team setting has many unique benefits. For example, not having to rush to a meeting site can help boost productivity. So to get the most out of virtual meetings, it's important to properly prepare, form appropriate behaviors and document progress, all while keeping a focus on the original goals and expected outcomes. In today's workforce, everyone needs to use technology to some degree. Restaurant workers, bankers, builders, doctors and business owners alike must be tuned in to technological resources and use them proficiently. But technology won't do everything for you, and it won't fall into your lap either. It's like learning to drive a car and using the highway. Both are your resources, but you need to know how to drive first. Virtual meetings take place thanks to many technological resources, but you still need to manage the systems and the people to achieve your desired outcome. Ultimately, you need to drive your virtual team to success. Creativity becomes another issue to contend with when it comes to virtual teams. In order for a virtual team to be effective, there needs to be a free and oftentimes rapid flow of ideas. In face-to-face meetings, teams can readily communicate freely, so creativity comes to the team more naturally. With virtual teams, members must first feel comfortable using the technology. Once they are, they become better able to communicate, and once the virtual team starts communicating effectively, they can share creative ideas effectively.

Intermediate Provider : David Walker 6 Lessons · 21m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

There are many different facets of virtual work. In these lessons, we will explore some of the tools you may need to use for successful virtual work, including virtual meetings, work structure, and communication methods. You will also learn some tips for maintaining helpful and open communication with virtual teams.

What You'll Learn

Determine the best virtual structure for your team
Plan and hold virtual meetings
Communicate effectively with your virtual team
Explore technological tools used for remote work
Communicate expectations and distribute responsibility through task management
Build trust and keep lines of communication open and clear

Key Takeaways

Successful virtual work draws on a range of tools, including virtual meetings, work structure, and communication methods.
Choosing the right virtual structure helps a team work effectively together.
Planning and holding virtual meetings is a core skill for remote collaboration.
Maintaining helpful and open communication keeps virtual teams aligned.
Building trust and clearly distributing responsibility supports effective task management on virtual teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

It explores facets of virtual work, including the tools you may need for successful virtual work such as virtual meetings, work structure, and communication methods, plus tips for maintaining open communication with virtual teams.

What will I learn to do by the end?

You will learn to determine the best virtual structure for your team, plan and hold virtual meetings, and communicate with your virtual team effectively.

What topics are included in the lessons?

Lessons cover a changing landscape of work, an introduction to technological tools of remote work, the structure of virtual work, communicating expectations, building trust and keeping lines of communication open and clear, and distributing responsibility and task management.

What skills does this course focus on?

The course focuses on skills including virtual collaboration, virtual teams, virtual classroom, virtual production, virtual studio, and virtual training.