Influencing Virtual Teams: 17 Tactics That Get Things Done with Your Remote Employees Audible – Unabridged

I worked on projects where some members of the team were not local, so I am well familiar with the issues that arise working with people that are remote. The author provides no-nonsense suggestions on how to make teams with remote members work more effectively. The advice is not your generic "improve communication among your team" but rather very specific and concrete.

The vast majority of the techniques are incredibly simple to implement, yet has been proven by case studies (the author includes references) to be effective. For example, giving a reason of why you are asking someone to do something increases compliance of carrying out the request by 33% compared with a request which had no explanation.

Many other techniques are just as simple. Writing down tasks and commitments increases the probability that the tasks will be done by the virtual team. Setting specific deadline (as opposed to "I need it in a couple of days") and assigning specific people to be responsible for the task (rather than assigning a group of people without a specific individual responsible for the outcome) also improves the timeliness of the task completion.

Some of the tips are less obvious and struck me as the opposite to what I have seen at work. A team that is located in the same area has a chance to socialize in the hallways so they have a chance to interact in a non-work related conversations. This forms bonds and friendships between individuals. With a remote team it is the manager's job to create such environment, so the author suggests starting some meetings with some off-topic discussions and a bit of banter to build those social bonds which otherwise might not form.

This is an easy to read book.Read more ›

Influencing Virtual Teams by Hassan Osman is a well-crafted, well-researched book with real-world experience applicability right out of starting gate. Although this book targets how to influence virtual teams, the information in this book easily applicable to non-virtual teams.

Osman challenges the reader to be assertive (in a non-overbearing way), accountable for the work and tasks, conduct effective meetings, build trust (like-ability and reliability) with your team and much more. The book is broken down into 17 tactics. Each tactic contains digestible information with easy applicability to your daily work.

Here are a few of my key takeaways:

- Use the word "because" to increase your likelihood your message will be complied with.
- Parkinson's Law - work expands to fit the time allotted for it.
- Be direct and explicit with your task assignment and always include the assignee and deadline.
- When someone volunteers for task, there is a greater likelihood the task will be completed.
- Take discussions offline that interrupt your meeting or throw it off-topic.
- Clarity of roles, assignments and tasks is greatest ally.
- Lead by example - your team will follow what you do.

The one thing I love that Hassan does really well is the "recap" sections at the end of some of the tactics. Some of the tactics have a number of steps or parts to them to really make it work. He organizes and re-caps the main points of the tactic where you could easily print it out and put it next to your computer to remember.

Lastly, Osman has prepare a few "extras" for the reader. He provides links to downloadable templates to help you be successful with your virtual teams. If you lead any kind of team (virtual or other) this is book you should read.

If you've read 37 Signal's "Remote" and you're wondering how to best implement some of the practices mentioned in that book, this is a good place to start. The tips here in the book while they may seem obvious as you read them are explained in a concise enough manner that you're not getting a bunch of fluff. Hassan gets straight to the point of each tactic and doesn't spend a lot of words making things sound harder than they really are.

Some could say much of the contents of this book are obvious and need no explanation, but having been on several kinds of teams, you'd be amazed at what seems obvious to some is the complete opposite to others and sometimes putting the obvious in print is a good way to get it out there and into the hands of those who may not know better.

This book is short, to the point, and will definitely help you work with virtual teams

it is very basic general PM rules that will work in any environment (not only virtual). I was looking for more advanced strategies and methods.
However, I must say that it is well organized, very straight to the point book! not too much repetition, clear tactics , relevant examples.
Would recommend for any beginner PM

Typically, I am immediately turned off by short books. I feel like the author is usually being lazy, and the content is too basic for me to get anything out of it. So I was not expecting a whole lot when I opened the first page. To my surprise, the author immediately addressed why the book was so short - to cut out all the fluff and give actionable, quick content for the busy business person. And he totally delivered!

If you are working with any kind of a team, virtual or not, this book will help you get more done in less time while building better relationships with your team. A quick read that will give you real results.