building and managing a successful distributed info dev team
DESCRIPTION
Managing a team is difficult, managing a team distributed around the world even more so. Building and managing a cohesive global Info Dev team requires the right people, the right systems, and the right tools. This presentation discusses how to build an environment where global technical communicators can be successful and tips on how to keep that team energized, innovative, and productive.TRANSCRIPT
Building and Managing a Successful Distributed Info Dev TeamALYSSA FOX
@AFOX98
Ways Distributed Teams are Created• INHERITING TEAM MEMBERS• BUILDING A TEAM FROM SCRATCH• ADDING TO A TEAM THROUGH HIRING
Challenges in Managing a Global Team
Us vs. Them
flickr: Alex de Mey
*Solutions*
Buddy System
flickr: Sabina Panayotova
Quarterly Global Team Meetings
flickr: Horasis
Time Zone Differences• SWITCHING TIMES FOR MEETINGS• BE RESPONSIVE AFTER HOURS
Consistency in Standards
People are #1
Getting to Know Individuals• UNDERSTAND THEIR CULTURE AND
HISTORY.• KNOW HOW THEY WORK WITH THEIR
PROJECT TEAMS.• TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEIR REACTIONS
TO CHANGE.
• FREQUENT 1:1 MEETINGS• TRAVEL• WHO’S WHO PAGE• FUN SANDBOX AREA ON WEBSITE
*Solutions*
Team Expectations• KEEP EXPECTATIONS THE SAME NO
MATTER THE LOCATION.• TREAT EVERYONE FAIRLY, NOT EQUALLY.• SUPPORT THE TEAM IN PUSHBACK TO
PROJECT TEAMS.
• JOB LADDER• WEEKLY MANAGEMENT
SYNC-UP MEETINGS
*Solutions*
Evaluating and Tweaking Processes and Tools
• CONSIDER WHAT IS WORKING ON ALL SIDES.• WHAT CAN EACH GROUP TEACH THE OTHER?• ENSURE KNOWLEDGE, SUPPORT, AND
LEADERSHIP FLOW BOTH WAYS.
• GLOBAL TEAM TRAININGS• “SHOW AND TELL” AT QUARTERLY TEAM
MEETINGS• LEADERSHIP TEAMS THAT LIAISE
BETWEEN TEAM AND MANAGEMENT• TOOLS TEAM • VIDEO TEAM
*Solutions*
Working with Project Teams
• HAVE PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS WORK ON PROJECTS TOGETHER.
• ID LEADS IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Communication
• 1:1S AND GROUP MEETINGS• CHAT TOOLS, CONFERENCE CALLS, AND
VIDEO CONFERENCES• EMAIL AS LAST RESORT• FOCUS ON COLLABORATION AND
CONVERSATION
OVERCOMMUNICATE!
Collaboration & Conversation
• LET THE TEAM DRIVE ITSELF.• COACH, SUPPORT, AND ENCOURAGE.
REMEMBER, IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE, THE REST FALLS INTO PLACE.