“Meetings are the way we connect, collaborate and deliver results. We can no longer accept a lack of engagement from virtual team meetings.” -Beth Matteotti, Founder, Distance Teaming
Every organization imagines a dream team. Whether you’re the team leader or a member of the team, synergy and functionality determines performance. Our training programs are tailored according to your business objectives. We focus on three main areas of programming to improve remote collaboration and effectiveness: virtual facilitation training, virtual team training and overall team effectiveness. In all cases, we focus on easing the remote collaboration pain points, which relate to challenges based on people, setting and technology. By working through these items together, common frustrations are overcome and standards of excellence become the norm. These standards include:
Being able to hear all opinions and maximize presence
Gaining full participation of each individual
Reading the audience and achieving team alignment
Connecting and building trust among teammates
Creating an open, innovative, energetic and free-flowing virtual atmosphere
Achieving results with thorough preparation and contingency plans
Maximizing technology and overcoming its limitations
Areas of Practice
Training for virtual FACILITATORS
The facilitator is the team captain. An excellent virtual facilitator values individual strengths and encourages full participation, is adaptable to various group dynamics and situations, and is disciplined to meet essential outcomes through implementing intentional virtual techniques. Your team will follow your lead! Examples of facilitation best practices include training on:
How to run engaging and productive meetings from opening to close
Establishing roles and setting expectations for participants and co-facilitators
Methods of creating accountability and tracking results
Engagement strategies to involve team members throughout the meeting process
Techniques to promote fertile communication and focused discussions
Brain science that supports strategies and techniques
Troubleshooting technology issues and virtual contingency plan
training for virtual teams
It’s everyone’s job to ensure the team collaborates at high levels – not just the facilitator or leader. In order to guarantee active participation by all team members, everyone must agree with this principle. A spirit of cooperation and shared accountability must reign in the virtual meeting space in the same way it applies to a physical meeting space. Examples of virtual team best practices include training on:
Webinar technology application and proficiency
Effective question and answer techniques
Methods of staying engaged and avoiding distractions
Meeting expectations and protocol
Roles and responsibilities for preparation and pre-work
Maintaining energy level and positive interaction
Virtual team meeting etiquette and principle
overall team EFFECTIVENESS
Building a cohesive team is essential to virtual success. Examples of team development best practices include training on:
Gaining alignment on the team's purpose, major strategies and key measures
Creating standard team processes and role clarification
“Shared Leadership” program to deepen engagement, build skills and add capacity
Exercises to build community and trust
Establishment of unique team traditions and celebrations
Techniques to promote interaction and participation
Virtual team meeting practice, including full use of technology
Role assessment and delegation strategies
Addressing misunderstandings/conflict resolution
Specific Programs
We offer a menu of options based on the type of support your team needs. Each can be customized to support your team’s objectives and unique combination of challenges. We also offer a webinar series to develop the virtual facilitation and participation skills needed to take advantage of your team’s untapped capacity and talents.