How to Manage a Team That is Geographically Dispersed
For more than two decades, Alex Hern has been starting and leading companies in California. The San Diego resident has founded several startups, including Inktomi and Yesmail. Currently, Alex Hern serves as the CEO of Tsunami XR, a platform offering virtual working environments.
Traditionally, employees have needed to be in the same physical location to work together effectively. This is no longer true, thanks to the Internet, videoconferencing, and email. However, managing a geographically dispersed team presents many challenges.
To ensure success, managers must hire the right people for the job - not everyone works well remotely. Those who do are self-motivators capable of working independently. However, they also must be skilled in verbal and written communication.
Managers who have assembled a good remote team must create a context for the way the team operates. By having a clear purpose for the team, managers can unite individual team members regardless of their physical location.
Finally, managers of dispersed teams must create strong team dynamics. To do this, they must foster good relationships among team members. Managers must promote respect among all team members and ensure they regularly communicate with one another.
Traditionally, employees have needed to be in the same physical location to work together effectively. This is no longer true, thanks to the Internet, videoconferencing, and email. However, managing a geographically dispersed team presents many challenges.
To ensure success, managers must hire the right people for the job - not everyone works well remotely. Those who do are self-motivators capable of working independently. However, they also must be skilled in verbal and written communication.
Managers who have assembled a good remote team must create a context for the way the team operates. By having a clear purpose for the team, managers can unite individual team members regardless of their physical location.
Finally, managers of dispersed teams must create strong team dynamics. To do this, they must foster good relationships among team members. Managers must promote respect among all team members and ensure they regularly communicate with one another.
