Wondering where you might catch up with the team this week?
We’re pleased to have Phil Stockbridge back from his trip to India, and you’ll find him in the UK this week, along with Kevan Hall and Rod Farnan.
Tony Poots and John Bland will both be in Zurich.
At home in the USA, you’ll find both Tim Mitchell and Robyn Green, whilst on the same continent, but further south, you’ll find TH Ong in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Jan 31 2012
This is paper examines the challenges faced by cross-functional teams (CFTs) which normally come together for a limited period of time, and looks at why a team climate of trust is an essential requirement to meet challenges successfully.
The author argues that CFTs have a great potential for success if the team’s internal environment is based on trust, but that organizational intervention must normally take place for this to be achieved. She outlines the several challenges that CFTs can face with regard to developing trust, broadly speaking: functional diversity, time allocation diversity, multiple reporting relationship. The implications of these for team trust are also discussed.
First defining what a team climate for trust comprises of, the author goes on to describe the importance of trust in teams and how leadership can promote the development of an internal climate for trust. This process, it is stated, should begin even prior to the formation of the team (for example, through careful selection of the team leaders in addition to team members), as well as during its formation (for example, through the development of positive relationships between team/project leaders, and effective conflict management).
To summarise, Webber says that organisations need to recognise that CFTs will not achieve full performance potential without these necessary interventions.
Further summaries on material relating to the matrix can be found by following Matrix Monday on this blog. Summaries are being shared each Monday on Twitter using the hashtag #matrixmonday. And you may want to become part of the conversation on the matrix on LinkedIn: Matrix Management.
Jan 30 2012
In this entry to the Global Working video competition, Debbie Davies takes a look at how folk in the UK see folk in USA – cultural difference through the eyes of Ken (to great comic effect).
We’re wondering how Debbie persuaded people to take part!
It’s a great little video, very funny and beautifully produced, but if you want Debbie’s entry to be in the top 20 that go in front of the judges, you need to vote for her on her entry page: Working USA.
Jan 30 2012
Hot on the heels of our mini-mechanic entry, in this video for the Global Working video competition, the youngsters set the pace again, offering their view on Globalization and global working.
Credits go to:
Josh-Filming, Script & Stitching the Video
Ben-Filming & Script
Annie-Filming & Script
Josh, Ben and Annie need your votes on their competition entry page if they’re to make the top 20 videos submitted to the judges for viewing: Globalization and global working.
Jan 30 2012
The latest entry to the Global Working video competition, ‘Finding Your Path In The Digital Age’, suggests a sustainable economy relies on the sharing and development of sustainable methods to solve the challenges our world faces in the 21st century.
To vote for this entry, go to the competition entry page, Finding your path in the digital age, where author Alex Rutledge needs your votes if he’s to be shortlisted for the judges.
Jan 30 2012
Alicia Glenn has used the Global Working video competition to discuss ways students can harness opportunities offered by global working to earn money.
And she’s spotted a way to turn that into a business.
You can vote for Alicia here: Globalization and College Students.
Jan 30 2012
Rod Farnan, Training consultant, Global Integration
In 2011, every market segment was adjusting to the new economic situation.
Almost every segment I am working in is now moving to a virtual matrix organization model. There is a gradual movement away from thinking of this as the latest in a long line of re-organizations: people are appreciating, I think, that this is a new way of working, a new reality, demanding new skills (which is why Rod was so busy last year!).
There are still some unresolved issues though, notably in the systems to support this new way of working.
Compensation is a big one. Are people being compensated to reflect the loyalties they are expected to show? If people have a regional role but also have to be a member of a global project team then does their bonus reflect that? In addition, are HR ready for these compensation plans to change much more frequently as the shape of the virtual matrix changes?
Performance measurement is another. How do we measure our people when we am one of three managers who impact that person’s time and performance? What about the budgeting process? If the person is working on a global project team, they presumably have an increased travel need and require money to support that (and an acceptance by their local manager that they wont be in the office so much).
These were Rod’s thoughts as we came into the New Year. To date, they’ve been pretty much accurate. These challenges are rearing their heads for many of our customers. Have you noted these same trends?
Jan 27 2012
Our latest entry to the Global Working video competition is from Rasma Kass, based in Brussels, Belgium, who shares some of her top tips for managing high performing remote and global teams by interviewing, and being interviewed by, others.
The video is well worth a watch, but to ensure a place on the judges list of the top twenty videos, Rasma needs your vote on her entry page: Tips for Managing High Performing Remote and Global Teams
Jan 26 2012
The latest entry in our Global Working video competition focusses on globalization. Young Canadians, Josh and Lewis, discuss how three elements of globalization – technology, production and economy – have improved the areas of trade and transaction, knowledge and immigration.
They need your vote on their entry page (earned by sharing the page) to be in with a chance of being shortlisted for the judges: Vote here.
Jan 26 2012
Paul Stamper created a visually beautiful video on global warming as his entry to our global working video competition, with just one simple message: “I believe we need to know this; and we can work together to live more efficient lives.”
To vote for Paul’s entry, you’ll need to vote on his entry page: Global Warming: A Global Working PSA.
Jan 26 2012
