Next Tertulia: September 25. Mark your calendar for the September Tertulia. Glenn Dirks and Edel Keville will lead the discussion. The topic: Sun's lessons about distributed work from the MySQL Merger. Please RSVP to save your spot. Get details at: http://www.newwow.net/members/node/930
New colleague membership policy proposal. Please review the proposed colleague membership policy we sent you last week. We would like your comments by the end of this week (September 12). You can find a copy at: http://www.newwow.net/members/node/935
Summer conversation: Teams, place, and burnout
Our discussion on distributed team collaboration and whether a team-based approach can reduce employee burnout garnered three posts from Renate Fruchter. A couple of excerpts: "Teamwork is not only about deliverables but most importantly it is about PEOPLE, communication, collaboration, and coordination. This is why it is difficult and we can not take a mechanistic approach to teamwork." http://www.newwow.net/members/node/719#comment-625 To Jay, Clark and Stewart: "Another aspect to consider is globalization, consequently, places and spaces need to support and foster remote collaboration in new ways along vectors such as time, space, culture, work practices and processes. In the context of place "what is place" more specifically "team place" - is it physical, virtual, or mental/social?" http://www.newwow.net/members/node/719#comment-624. See also http://www.newwow.net/members/node/719#comment-623
Book review: Generational differences
We review Stanton Smith's book, Decoding Generational Differences: Fact, Fiction, or Should We Just Get Back to Work? Smith is national director of next-generation initiatives at Deloitte. His work is based on research done at Deloitte, where over 80% of the company's client-facing employees are under 35. Smith describes three main areas where Generations X and Y differ greatly from the previous two generations. An example: Gen Yers have a consumer attitude towards the workplace. This means they "want to interact with and influence anything that they consume, including their careers." So Deloitte has developed a "mass career customization" program to satisfy those needs. Smith attributes the program for retaining between 800 and 1,000 staffers, with a savings of $120 to $150 million. More at: http://www.newwow.net/members/node/931
Tools for virtual teams. http://www.newwow.net/members/node/932
Check out our new topic area for sharing information on tools and processes that help virtual teams. Here is what we have so far:
- Web conferencing training: Henry Leibling contributed the overheads from a training program that he conducts on web conferencing. It includes several scenarios where he demonstrates specific web conferencing applications such as a debriefing, creative session, team meeting, and post-training support.
- Vital WebTool: Matti Vartiainen sent in a link to the Vital WebTool, which was developed by the Virtual and Mobile Work Research Unit at TKK Finland. This freeware tool includes advice and guidelines on managing distributed teams and how to work in them.
- After Action Reviews: How to conduct an After Action Review, a procedure used by the US Army to debrief teams. Businesses are adopting the practice.
Also newsworthy:
- Microsoft predicts the end of the office tower. By 2033, office towerblocks will disappear from city skylines as more workers work at home. Cities will become "pedestrianised" as the need for massive daily commutes diminishes. http://www.newwow.net/members/node/933
- Major building energy survey announced. Four organizations have teamed up to conduct a survey measuring energy-savings efforts of companies. Learn about the goals and find a link to take the survey at: http://www.newwow.net/members/node/584
- Best Workplaces for Commuters Business Savings Calculator. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a web-based calculator that enables an employer considering Best Workplaces for Commuters status to estimate the financial, environmental, traffic-related, and other benefits of joining the program. http://www.newwow.net/members/node/528#comment-626
- Telework & web conferencing show significant growth. Wainhouse Research said their WebMetrics Survey revealed 25% of participating companies have expanded their telework program last year and 22% have added or plan to add new conferencing and collaboration technologies. http://www.newwow.net/members/node/310#comment-629
