| Just as a learning management system (LMS) is an | | | | Measurable, Attainable, Results-Oriented, and |
| answer to the need for more organized and | | | | Timebound. However, the "Timebound" part doesn't |
| large-scale training initiatives, virtual team meetings and | | | | always materialize, and goals sometimes need |
| collaborative tools are a response to corporate | | | | redefining. As a manager leading a team, it's your job |
| globalization. Not only are companies coordinating their | | | | to routinely check up on members' direction and |
| global activities to compete, but they are using virtual | | | | progress with their assignments. Use your learning |
| tools to find talent abroad and distribute their resources | | | | management system to track member needs and |
| globally, collaborating with other companies and | | | | accomplishments, as well as respond to achievements |
| organizations. | | | | and react fluidly with team progress, outlining and |
| Whether staff members are in the same building or in | | | | updating organizational goals. |
| separate continents, more and more work is being | | | | An invaluable piece of advice for managers using an |
| shared online using virtual teams. Virtual teams are | | | | LMS to organize teams: promote an atmosphere of |
| able to span across the globe and across cultures. A | | | | equality. Implement uniform operating practices which |
| group's lively dynamic is often the result of its varied | | | | everyone will be expected to conform to, such as |
| team members and their multifarious perspectives. | | | | work hours and conflict resolution processes. |
| However, in order to ensure effective online | | | | Uniformity of policy and treatment emphasizes the |
| communication, virtual team members need to have | | | | equality of team members. |
| excellent "soft" skills, such as negotiation, work | | | | Downplay job titles of your team members and place |
| etiquette, and cultural sensitivity. | | | | greater emphasis on work assignments, and reward |
| Using an LMS to administrate specific roles and tasks | | | | on a team basis while recognizing individual |
| for each virtual team member is essential so that | | | | achievements. Use your company's LMS to aid you |
| everyone has a fair share of the work, and an equal | | | | and your team members in the laying out and |
| say in team decisions. Whether it's in a company or a | | | | executing of work assignments. Implement standard |
| school-run LMS, employees and students will | | | | processes for executing assignments on an LMS and |
| appreciate the effort put forth to administrate | | | | in the group, so that everyone is adhering to the same |
| responsibilities for each virtual team member. | | | | methods, and utilizing the same tools and techniques. |
| Keeping track of both team and individual performance | | | | Creating an egalitarian work environment enhances |
| is simple on a learning management system. However, | | | | communication as well as making possible the |
| it may not always be best to publish statistics on team | | | | interchangeability of workers. Finally, an atmosphere of |
| or member achievements. While a manager needs to | | | | equality and teamwork stimulates the development of |
| understand the team's strengths, weaknesses, and | | | | quality work products. |
| progress, this information is best kept between the | | | | Use your LMS to organize team cultural sensitivity and |
| members, the leader, and the learning management | | | | communication training. Managers may organize |
| system. | | | | technical training on their LMSs, but technical skills alone |
| We've all heard the goal acronym SMART--Specfic, | | | | are certainly not adequate for a virtual team's success. |