Mastering Virtual Teams: Strategies, Tools, and Techniques That Succeed (Jossey Bass Business and Management Series) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Nancy Tennant Snyder (Author) "In today's business environment, organizations must adapt quickly or die..." (more)
Key Phrases: virtual team leaders, multiple virtual teams, virtual team meetings, United States, Never Once, Developmental Actions Development (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Office face-time may always play a critical role in certain corporate settings, but technology and globalization have combined to thrust "virtual meetings" into an increasingly important place on today's overall business stage. With once-rigid boundaries of time, geography, and even organization now rapidly disappearing, members of almost any workplace team can communicate and collaborate regardless of physical location. How to do so most effectively? Deborah L. Duarte, assistant professor at George Washington University, and Nancy Tennant Snyder, chief learning officer for Whirlpool Corporation, outline suggestions applicable to large and small organizations alike in Mastering Virtual Teams. Designed for those who work in--as well as lead--such teams, it is divided into sections that focus on their unique inherent complexities, their creation, and their operation. Real-life examples and the authors' experienced observations are complemented by an abundance of helpful checklists and practical exercises. --Howard Rothman --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

"Clear and practical guidance on one of the most pressing problems in every multinational enterprise—how to work across the boundaries of time, space, and culture. This book represents an important step forward in our fundamental understanding of succeeding in today's global marketplace." (David R. Whitwam, chairman and CEO, Whirlpool Corporation)

"Most work in most organizations most of the time is done by teams. Many now need to be virtual. This book explains what, why, and how, with down-to-earth concepts and useful applications." (Joseph White, dean, University of Michigan Business School)

"This book is an important contribution to both practice and theory. The authors capture the full challenge of leading and working across traditional organizational boundaries and offer practical, sound guidance for leveraging maximum performance." (Mark Linaugh, vice president, Time Inc.)

"Duarte and Snyder are masterful at making an esoteric topic understandable. The exercises and tools are immediately applicable and work in any organization or culture." (Nikki Adams, director of training, Seagate Technology) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 3 edition (April 21, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787982806
• ISBN-13: 978-0787982805
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,107 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Another Human Resource Book with no Business case, November 2, 2001

By	"s1acchi" (Pleasanton, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mastering Virtual Teams (Hardcover)

I was disappointed by the lack of real world examples. Most of the examples were "human resource groups". Now, to be sure, there are many really fine checklists for managers included in this book. Although they are basic, most managers find them useful and thought provoking.
Unfortunately, as with most books on virtual teams, the authors have not focused on the critical operations which use virtual teaming: marketing, sales, program/project management. This book also neglects to leave the reader with a future focus --like: what is the new work and how will the businesses have to 'virtually' restructure or lose the "command and control" model of management.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not great prose, but thorough coverage, March 26, 2001

By	Randall L. Englund "author and speaker" (Burlingame, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Mastering Virtual Teams: Strategies, Tools, and Techniques That Succeed (Hardcover)

Duarte and Synder provide thorough coverage of the tools and techniques required for effective use of virtual teams. The writing style is basic, here's-what-to-do stuff, offering 'x' critical success factors, abundant check lists, and tables comparing alternatives, such as video or electronic displays. From my experience, they are right on target for team leaders and team members.

Interspersed are jewels of wisdom. For example: communication and collaboration are the two most important factors in team success; sometimes it's better to wait until team members get to know one another as dependable and competent before initiating in-depth team building; trust depends on performance and competence, integrity, and concern for the well-being of others; information overload can slow down a team's decision-making process. I was pleased to find they documented that video conferencing requires a different skill set than running regular meetings.

I sometimes yearned for more real life stories and persuasive arguments, in other words, a less formulaic style. But that's my bias as a reader and not their intent.

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of technology and techniques, August 3, 1999

By	J. Babcock "Comp Sci Guy" (Northern VA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Mastering Virtual Teams: Strategies, Tools, and Techniques That Succeed (Hardcover)

The authors provide an excellent treatment of the problems associated with starting and maintaining virtual teams. An excellent concise presentation of working with differences in culture is presented. Many technology alternatives to facilitate group interaction and collaboration are also presented. The strengths and weaknesses of each technology are given for several different problem solving situations. I would recommend this book to anyone who must solve problems with others who are off site.